Speakers - 2026

Biography

Catarina Afonso, PHD; Professor of Polytechnic Higher Education – School of Health of Santarém IPSantarém. Integrated Researcher at RISE-Health – TL7 – Community Health Prevention. She holds a PhD and postdoctoral degree in the field of informal caregiving, with a research focus on ageing, caregiver vulnerability, and the development of structured community-based support systems. She has designed, tested, and is currently implementing a psychoeducational support programme for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to enhance their coping strategies and quality of life. She is the author and co-author of several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in dementia caregiving, ageing, and community health interventions.