D-CARE

Dementia: Respect and Respite

Summary

Populations around the world are rapidly ageing. However, during the last 50 years in Europe, there has been an increase in diseases linked to ageing, such as dementia. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be approximately 18.66 million Europeans with dementia disease.

People who are affected by dementia often face cognitive, behavioural and psychosocial difficulties. These difficulties often pose a challenge for engaging socially, reinforcing their effects and reducing personal well-being. As well as the impact on the person, dementia also has a considerable effect on those supporting the person. Most care for people with dementia is provided by family and friends—‘carers’. Most carers feel unprepared to take on this new role. Caring often may cause physical and mental health problems to caregivers caused by stress that caring for someone with dementia brings. Moreover, work and other relationships suffer. Left with inner conflict and resentment, they neglect their own needs. Caring is also a difficult and stressful task for the professional caregivers and they need more knowledge /tools

The need of training for caregivers of people affected by dementia is projected to be covered by D-Care project, through the creation of educational program in the form of blended learning, where the caregivers of people with dementia (professionals and non-professionals), will be able to acquire basic skills how to help people with dementia and how to avoid feeling isolated. The program can be used in VET education and training, in-work training to care staff and by volunteers and in adult lifelong learning.

The partnership consists of different types of organisations: public and private VET institutions, public employers of professional caregivers, NGOs and SMSs from the UK, Denmark, Spain and Greece and a European-wide professional association with its base in Brussels, Belgium. This provides a unique opportunity to find creative solutions together.

Coordinator