by InTrieste
As October concludes, the de Banfield Association is evaluating the outcomes of its Purple Month, a campaign focused on raising public awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This year’s initiatives have culminated in a series of events aimed at supporting the elderly and their caregivers.
With over thirty-five years of experience in advocating for vulnerable seniors, the Trieste-based association announced the success of its “Add Purple to the Table” initiative. This program, an evolution of the traditional “Spritz Viola,” was supported by Fipe Trieste and expanded its reach to include not only bars but also restaurants, gelaterias, pastry shops, and cafés. Participants served specially crafted recipes featuring the color purple.
In total, more than 60 local establishments joined the effort, distributing informational materials about dementia and setting up purple piggy banks for donations. The initiative received strong community support, raising €5,000, which will be allocated to CasaViola. This funding will help resume free courses for caregivers of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, beginning with the (D) Caregiver Academy, designed to educate caregivers about the complexities of dementia.
Looking ahead, the de Banfield Association will restart its weekly support groups for caregivers starting in late October. These groups will include sessions based on the Empowering Approach®, which aims to improve communication between caregivers and their loved ones with dementia.
One of the notable highlights of this year’s Purple Month was the “Purple Forest” installation, displayed in Piazza della Borsa. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese tradition of tanzaku, this installation invited visitors to write personal memories and hang them on purple trees. The goal was to create a space for reflection on the importance of memories and the emotional impact of their loss.
The initiative yielded 1,049 memories collected in over ten languages. Each participant received informational resources on dementia and how to contribute to a Dementia-Friendly Community. Local illustrator Elisa Gandolfo also contributed to the project by transforming some of the collected memories into watercolors, now available on the association’s website.
The de Banfield Association continues its commitment to advocating for those affected by dementia, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and support.
For further information about their programs and initiatives, visit the de Banfield Association’s website or contact their office directly.
