In November 2021 Alzheimer Bulgaria Association has started the project Dementia Care funded by Erasmus+ in partnership with Turkey, Italy, Slovenia, the UK, Spain, and Portugal. The project duration is 2 years. Dementia Care focuses on the adoption of non-pharmacological intervention strategies, in particular on the use of art therapy, recognized as a technique capable of reducing the depressive and behavioral symptoms of the clinical picture and of improving the patient’s overall quality of life.
Dementia care proposes an innovative model, as it involves leading experts in the field
of neurodegenerative diseases, in creating a highly specific curriculum based on the use of art
therapy in the early stages of the disease. The project combines innovation with
the satisfaction of an existing and neglected health need.
The project encourages the exchange of good practices, new methods of elaboration, delivery, and evaluation of programs, and new multidisciplinary training approaches able to promote high levels of teaching and skills development among different institutions and training institutions.
The project work started with a discussion regarding the project concept and sharing different perspectives and good practices in caring for people with dementia. Another essential step in project implementation was the definition of the target group, participants, and methodology development. A comprehensive summary of previous research on the topic of Art therapy. The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources relevant to a particular area of research. The review should enumerate, describe, summarize, objectively evaluate and clarify this previous research. A questionnaire is also being prepared, which is an essential part of the project implementation. It will explore key areas in the current work of institutions working with adults with dementia.
The conducted survey is among assistance organizations and specialized dementia care centers to identify facilitators and barriers expected for the implementation of Dementia Care. This activity will also allow the identification of the various interventions already used and the analysis of their effectiveness.
The next steps are connected to developing curriculum content, and identifying art therapy best practices for dementia care according to patient needs and the stage of the disease.
You can learn more about the project HERE.