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Alzheimer’s Association – Bulgaria
Alzheimer’s Association – Bulgaria
Irina Ilieva is the founder of the Alzheimer Bulgaria Association. She committed herself to this mission of serving the community 20 years ago. Today we will be speaking with two psychologists from her team, Maria Marinova and Valentina Yordanova. They will tell us about themselves and their work with ‘Friends of Memory’, a working group formed for people with early dementia.
You can read our interview with Irina and her work with the Alzheimer’s Association in Bulgaria here.
Please tell us briefly about yourself as a specialist and how you chose this profession.
Friends in memory
Maria: Hello! I’m Maria Marinova, a psychologist and family counsellor. I chose my profession back in secondary school, when I became increasingly fascinated by the differences between people and wanted to understand them better. My education and specialisation have strengthened my interest in human communication, behaviour and emotions. For me, this profession is a privilege, and I strive to create a safe and supportive environment in which clients can communicate openly and work on their challenges.
Valentina: My name is Valentina Jordanova and I have many years of experience in the field of social services. As a family psychotherapist, I work with families, couples and individuals. For me, human relationships are at the heart of communication, and that was my motivation to dedicate myself to family therapy. The profession of psychotherapist is exceptionally humane and healing, helping people to rediscover themselves and to be at peace and in harmony with others.
Friends in memory
What was the first thing that came to mind when Irina contacted you and suggested you join the Early Dementia Group?
Maria: I am extremely grateful to Irina and my colleague Valentina for giving me this opportunity. At that time I had no experience with dementia patients, and the first thing I thought was, “I want to support this important work.” I read a lot of literature and sought out information, but it was the clients themselves who really showed me the way.
Valentina: When Irina contacted me, I accepted the offer to work with people in an early dementia group without hesitation. I was familiar with the activities of the Alzheimer’s Association in Bulgaria through a colleague who already works with the relatives of Alzheimer’s patients. Although I have experience with various social groups, leading an early dementia group was an exceptional challenge for me, which I embraced with enthusiasm and responsibility towards its participants.
Friends in memory
What are the biggest challenges for you in this endeavour?
Friends in memory
Maria: As dementia progresses, clients find it increasingly difficult to express themselves and to understand others. It is very important to carefully consider the activities and topics to ensure they are appropriate for the entire group dynamic.
Valentina: I would rank the challenging moments in my work in the following order. The first is when I work with group participants who have lost their abilities and self-confidence; the second is developing coping mechanisms for loneliness and reducing it; and finally, although it is more extensive and beyond my direct involvement, it is community building and integration into it.
Friends in memory
What difficulties are the participants in the group facing?
Friends in memory
Maria: In my opinion, the greatest difficulty is talking about their “previous” way of life – the sadness of the years gone by, when they were strong, independent and coping well. Today they manage on their own, but the fear that they may soon need help from their nearest and dearest in everyday life is great.
Valentina: Let us resist despair and encourage one another, because depression and anxiety are among the main characteristics of the illness. The group meetings energise them and help them feel supported, knowing they are not alone and that there is someone they can talk to. The group also functions as a mutual support group, where participants can freely discuss their fears and anxieties in a safe environment.
Friends in memory
How does a working meeting proceed?
Friends in memory
Maria: With lots of laughter! I am extremely impressed by the strong, fighting spirit of every member of the group. They come and show that they can – they can talk about their difficulties, they can create, they can be physically active, and they have kept their spark alive.
Valentina: Each of our meetings has a structure and constant elements that aim to preserve participants’ skills, covering various aspects of cognitive processes and including cognitive functions such as attention, memory, concentration, thinking, etc. Our meetings are very energetic, accompanied by plenty of laughter and meaningful communication and sharing, bringing good humour and purpose.
Friends in memory
What is the participants’ favourite part of the sessions?
Friends in memory
Maria: I think they eagerly anticipate the start of every meeting. They’re happy to see the other group members, as they already have well-established relationships and a sense of closeness.
Valentina: I would say they enjoy the meetings themselves and look forward to them every week. They share their experiences, seek support and offer support to others. They feel very close to one another, have formed friendships thanks to the group and communicate both within and outside it.
Friends in memory
What advice would they give to their relatives?
Friends in memory
Maria: Your parents can do it, and they are doing it!
Valentina: Be patient and supportive towards your loved ones. Their illness is extremely insidious and, as it progresses, it robs them of their experiences, memories and identity. Preserving their dignity helps patients in the early stages of dementia to feel fulfilled and to continue coping with everyday activities and the challenges they face.
Friends in memory
How would you continue the sentence: “Do you remember …………….?”
Friends in memory
Maria: …… my favourite children’s song
Valentina: ……… when was the last time you laughed through tears?
