In the summer of 2022, the Bavarian Digital Dementia Registry (digiDEM Bayern), affiliated with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), invited people to a free dementia screening day for the first time. Now the scientists are delighted about a special anniversary. The 55th dementia screening day throughout Bavaria recently took place in Würzburg. A total of 1,032 people in 54 cities and municipalities have since taken advantage of the offer, which consists of a short scientific test.
A pencil, a sheet of paper, a clock – not many more tools are needed when the Bavarian Digital Dementia Registry (digiDEM Bayern) invites citizens across Bavaria to have their own memory performance checked for free. Whether in the municipality of Michelau in Upper Franconia, in the Lower Bavarian city of Landshut, in Hohenpeißenberg in Upper Bavaria, in the Swabian city of Memmingen, or in Würzburg: interest in the free pre-dementia screenings is high throughout Bavaria.
„We can be proud of 55 successfully completed dementia screening days,“ says Prof. Dr. Peter Kolominsky-Rabas, neurologist and one of the project leaders of digiDEM Bavaria. „Especially in rural areas, the journey to medical facilities specializing in dementia is often long. That's why it's important for us to reach people on-site and allow them to have an initial diagnosis.“
Is there dementia behind this?
„More and more people are no longer sure about their cognitive abilities. They want to find out whether, for example, forgetfulness is normal for their age or if there's a dementia disease behind it,“ explains Prof. Dr. Peter Kolominsky-Rabas. „Many affected individuals don't know they have dementia.“
The first regional dementia population screening took place in the summer of 2022 in Thüngersheim, Lower Franconia. Since then, a total of 1,032 people in 54 Bavarian cities and municipalities have taken advantage of the free service. „In 34.8 percent of these cases, there was a finding that required further clarification,“ reports Prof. Dr. Peter Kolominsky-Rabas. This underscores the importance of early dementia detection. Those with a confirmed diagnosis can specifically access advice and support services that can make living with dementia easier.
Initial on-site assessment
In Würzburg, where the 55th digiDEM Bavaria Dementia Screening Day took place on November 8, 2023, there was a large turnout. Actively supported by the team around Ursula Weber, the management of digiDEM Bavaria's cooperation partner HALMA e. V. – Center of Expertise for Dementia and Care in Lower Franconia, many residents of Würzburg were tested by three digiDEM Bavaria employees and digiDEM Bavaria research partner Brigitte Kriesinger. For findings that require clarification, Prof. Dr. Peter Kolominsky-Rabas „urgently and promptly recommends seeking out a memory clinic, memory outpatient clinic, or memory practice for thorough testing and examination.“ If necessary, the general practitioner can issue a referral.
Research partners throughout Bavaria
During the dementia screening days, digiDEM Bavaria cooperates with cities, municipalities, care support centers, or specialist centers for family caregivers. The dementia research project attaches particular importance to the statewide network of research partners and project assistants who conduct individual dementia tests in all Bavarian administrative districts. The so-called Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) is used, which is a scientifically valid method for assessing cognitive abilities such as short-term memory.
Research project with practical relevance
As part of a study, digiDEM Bavaria has been surveying people with cognitive impairments and their caregivers since January 2021. Prof. Dr. Peter Kolominsky-Rabas emphasizes: „Our goal is to improve the living conditions of those affected and to provide them with digital support services using the insights gained. Our research findings are also significant for political decision-makers.“
Join now
Anyone who has mild cognitive impairments or mild dementia and wishes to participate in the digiDEM Bavaria research project and contribute to dementia research should contact our digiDEM Bavaria research partners throughout Bavaria and in their local area. They will be happy to inform and advise you.
Here you will find an overview of our digiDEM Bavaria research partners.
