Beginning: 01.09.2023

End: 31.12.2023

Funding: University of Ljubljana

Leader: doc. dr. Vera Grebenc

Associates:

doc. dr. Vera Grebenc (Fakulteta za socialo delo UL)

doc. dr. Alenka Gril (Fakulteta za socialo delo UL)

doc. dr. Aleš Dolenec (Fakulteta za šport UL)

as. dr. Petra Prevc (Fakulteta za šport UL)

Marta Kržič, strok. svet. (Akademija za glasbo UL)

Tina Gatej, dipl. del. ter., Dom Petra Uzarja, Tržič

Manca Bernik, dipl. del. ter., Dom Petra Uzarja, Tržič

Barbara Purkart, univ.dipl.soc. ped.,

Nika čuk, univ.dipl. soc. del., Dom upokojencev Postojna

Študentke in študenti:

Iz Fakultete za socialno delo UL:

Klara Mesek

Nastja Pišotek

Katja Turičnik

Iz Fakultete za šport UL:

Sanja

Špela Pavlin

Klemen Štrancar

Iz Akademije za glasbo UL:

Eva Grebenc Slanič

Eva Majcen

Summary:

Dementia is one of the greatest health, social and financial challenges facing modern society. Developing humane responses to this silent epidemic should unite humanity in compassionate care for the vulnerable. Institutionalising people and placing them in secure units of care facilities contradicts the basic guidelines of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008). People with dementia need daily, continuous support and long-term care. However, this should not be provided through exclusion and isolation, but in accordance with the principles of normalisation of life and respect for basic human rights. Simple, affordable and environmentally neutral forms of housing and care must be created, based on the values of humanity and social and environmental justice. The project aimed to improve the health and well-being of people with dementia (sustainability goal health and well-being) living in care homes and to reduce inequalities resulting from social discrimination against people with dementia (sustainability goal reducing inequalities). We wanted to provide people with dementia with moments of human closeness through activities to maintain and strengthen social networks, physical activities and exercise, music and other activities. The activities were carried out in a simple, relaxed, and spontaneous way and followed the daily rhythm of an old person. They were carried out by students of social work, kinesiology and music, who worked together in teams on site and were supported by mentors. The project was sustainable in several ways: it involved the local community, considered sustainable health and wellbeing, aimed for modest use of natural resources and sharing of resources (e.g. shared spaces, shared props, shared equipment), aimed to share people's experiences and personal wisdom, and promoted awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings sharing this world (reducing social exclusion of people with dementia).