At the present moment, we have had meetings with the Ministry of Health Permament Secretary and the Director of Health Information and Research to discuss research methodology and agree about the protocol for recruiting participants. It was decided to target two cohorts namely caregivers of people with dementia and older people already attending active ageing centres. We have been reviewing WP7 educational and information material to be used in the pilot, and have chosen to follow the leaflet developed for this purpose and prepare powerpoint presentations based on the this material. Ethics approval has been obtained but this will need to be updated following modification of target population and inclusion of evaluation. We plan to finalise a programme of activities to be organised at the different day centres, for person already attending and other specific sessions for the caregivers of people with dementia. The persons will be invited to participate in a check up for symptoms and a review of risk factors (Lancet 2024) and brief cognitive test miniCOG. After the assessment, the participants will be given a questionnaire on acceptance and usability to evaluate and provide feedback on the usefulness of the information and advice provided. No follow up review will be possible and the sessions will be a one time only. Any person identified to have uncontrolled risk factors will be advised to make appointments at the respective health care facility or if found to have cognitive impairment be referred to brain health clinics.

To provide education materials to participants about risk factors for dementia and stroke and provide an opportunity for cognitive screening.

The benefit of the pilot project is to provide information and education to person who are at a higher risk of dementia and stroke especially in view of their increasing age and co-morbidity which results in a higher risk of non-communicable disease. If these people are more aware of such preventive measures they would be in a better position to reduce the chances of developing dementia or stroke. The cohorts chosen are to facilitate selection of participants who are already attending for other departmental activities. The pilots can be extended to other groups for further sustainability of the project.

Pilot to be started in August / September 2026, Results not available yet.

Pilot to be started in August / September 2026, Results not available yet.

Educational materials for Prevention of Dementia and Stroke prepared by JADE Health will be used. Printed materials will be provided to participants. A Maltese translation will be prepared. Once pilot outcomes are published, the toolkit and the results will be shared with healthcare professionals and policy makers in order to continue with the implementation of the programme and guarantee long term sustainability.

The pilot will serve to improves knowledge, understanding, awareness or decision-making related to dementia, brain health or neurological disorders by providing a toolkit / proforma for identifying risk factors and screening for cognitive impairment and it will offer a tested pathway of good practice.