The nEUROcare Education Programme, conducted in October 2024 at Galle, Karapitiya, Sri Lanka orgabized by the nEUROcare team, University of Ruhuna, was a vital initiative aimed at educating senior citizens, patients, and caregivers on dementia prevention, management, and caregiver burden reduction.

The programme successfully raised awareness of early signs and risk factors of dementia, enabling participants to seek timely medical intervention and adopt preventive strategies. Caregivers gained valuable skills to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms, improving their ability to provide structured and compassionate care while also learning stress management techniques to reduce burnout.

Additionally, the programme fostered community support, encouraging open discussions and reducing stigma, while creating a network for sustained peer engagement. Hands-on sessions provided practical guidance on cognitive stimulation, dietary modifications, and exercise routines to slow cognitive decline, offering participants tangible strategies to enhance daily life.

The overwhelming positive feedback emphasized the programme’s relevance, leading to discussions on expanding it to other regions. This initiative played a crucial role in promoting dementia-friendly communities, equipping both patients and caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve quality of life and strengthen long-term care strategies in the Southern part of Sri Lanka where the elderly population is becoming high compared to many areas of the country.