By carrying out the project, we wanted to increase the knowledge of our members about dementia, increase awareness about the development of the disease, and also raise competences in the field of counteracting Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia, both among UTW members and the entire local senior community. The aim was also to gain knowledge to expand our offer of classes (creating teaching and activation plans for older people with dementia, expanding the educational offer of UTW to include diagnostics and classes to counteract dementia), and also to strive to create dementia-friendly communities, with the example of the partner. The partnership aimed to develop common methods of working with older people suffering from dementia, and counteracting this disease through various types of activities. The specific objectives were: - obtaining information on senile dementia and available methods of counteracting it - creating teaching and activation plans for older people with dementia - expanding the educational offer of UTW to include diagnostics and classes to counteract dementia - exchanging information and learning about good practices of both partners - counteracting social exclusion of people with dementia
Our main motivation for carrying out the project was the growing problem of senile dementia among our participants. Firstly, this problem directly contributes to the social exclusion of the elderly (limited autonomy, intellectual exclusion), secondly, it contributes to the withdrawal and limited participation in activating UTW activities, which in turn deepens isolation and exclusion. The elderly are undoubtedly a disadvantaged group, and as a result of dementia, they isolate themselves and lock themselves in their own world, which in turn causes a loss of motivation and "meaning of life". Finances are also a barrier to social activity - the elderly who only have pensions and retirement pensions spend most of these funds on everyday urgent needs. Participation in the project, due to the different profiles of the partners' activities, as well as the fact that they are located in two very culturally separate regions, was an opportunity to learn a lot from each other and develop innovative methods of counteracting dementia together. We decided that the exchange of experiences of partners and the joint preparation of new action programs based on the knowledge and experience of both organizations will contribute to a significant activa