At the MENARAH Network, we are committed to addressing the challenges of population aging across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Recently, we invited Omaima Madkor, founder and CEO of the Mostmtoon Initiative, to share her efforts in providing innovative psychological services to older adults and their caregivers. Here’s how Mostmtoon is making a difference in the region.
What is Mostmtoon?
Mostmtoon, meaning “enjoyment” in Arabic, is dedicated to improving the well-being of older adults in the MENA region. The initiative offers non-pharmacological, sustainable psychological services tailored to the region’s needs, with a special focus on people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Founded in 2023, Mostmtoon follows a unique approach called “NEEM”, which focuses on:
- Non-pharmacological solutions
- Evidence-based practices
- Engagement with the community
- Mindfulness in caregiving
This framework helps address common aging challenges, such as loneliness, communication difficulties, and chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Omaima Madkor’s Vision
Omaima Madkor, a Clinical Geropsychology fellow at Ain Shams University and a psychotherapist with the Egyptian Ministry of Health, started Mostmtoon to improve the quality of life for older adults. Inspired by personal experiences with caregiving, Omaima aims to spread awareness about healthy ageing, self-care, and mental well-being.
Her work is grounded in years of psychotherapy and research, and she uses accessible educational tools, like videos on Alzheimer’s caregiving watch here and successful aging watch here, to reach a wider audience.
Collaborations and Community Impact
Mostmtoon thrives on collaboration. With a dedicated team of content creators, including director Ahmed Refat, video editor Mai Gamal, translator Hanan Hussein, and actors like Refat Elsayed and Amira Gamal, the initiative has produced valuable educational content. Partnerships with experts such as Prof. Shereen Hussein of the MENARAH Network and Dr. Khalid Ali of Brighton and Sussex Medical School help ensure that Mostmtoon’s services are grounded in scientific research and cultural relevance.
Closing the Care Gap
A major goal of Mostmtoon is to improve psychological care for older adults by training healthcare workers, especially psychologists. Currently, Egypt lacks specific guidelines for psychological care tailored to older adults, and Mostmtoon aims to fill that gap. The initiative also works to raise awareness about early intervention and the importance of caregiver support.
Supporting Caregivers
Mostmtoon also advocates for better recognition and fair treatment of caregivers, who often face low pay and limited support. By promoting the dignity and happiness of older adults, Mostmtoon emphasizes the importance of better working conditions for those who care for them.
Join Us
Mostmtoon is dedicated to making life better for older adults in the MENA region. If you share our vision and want to help, we invite you to join our growing team.
For more information or to get involved, contact us at:
[email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omaima-madkor-346a38240
Omaima Madkor
Dr Omaima Madkor, a Clinical Geropsychology fellow at Ain-Shams University in Cairo, is interested in healthy aging and Alzheimer's. Omaima has a wealth of psychotherapy, teaching, and research experiences that formulated her approach: 'The Scientist Practitioner. Omaima aspires to enhance older people's and family's awareness of the benefits of healthy living and self-care. She is particularly interested in using visual media, she created two accessible videos that provide valuable tips to maintain activities in old age and for Alzheimer's. She won the Professor Dr. Yahya Al-Rakhawi Award for Best Psychotherapy. She founded the Mos-Tmt-Oon initiative to provide psychological services for older people.
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