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Description
This project is designed to boost the general awareness of dementia, of problems caused by this symptom, and of the possible approaches to their solution. The project focuses on a wide public as well as the family caregivers, who bear the heaviest burden of the demanding caregiving provided to people with dementia. The public awareness shall be augmented by a unique concept of the experience course designed as a mobile escape room, and by the interactive exhibition that shall be on display in twelve towns through the Central Bohemia Region. We put the major emphasis on the education of the family caregivers: in order to support them we organize local self-help groups and thematic workshops, we offer various forms of the experience-education in our support centers, as well as a new way of extending their knowledge via the interactive PC game, integrated into the iSupport programme (this programme is presently being implemented into the milieu of the Czech Republic by the Dementia Institute in cooperation with the WHO, the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic and with the Ministry of Health). All these activities shall accomplish a substantial positive impact on the timely diagnostics of dementia, reduction of the family caregivers´ burden, and on the higher quality of the care provided to the people with dementia.
Summary of project results
The goal of the project was to raise general awareness about dementia, the challenges this syndrome brings, and possible approaches to addressing them. The project targeted both the general public and family caregivers, who bear the primary burden of providing demanding care for those affected. From the outset, project activities were designed around these two main focuses: raising public awareness and educating caregivers.
The project enabled the implementation of a unique experiential course in the form of a mobile escape game, conducted as part of education in secondary schools, and an interactive exhibition that was showcased in 12 towns across the Central Bohemian Region. These exhibitions were held in public spaces such as shopping centers, municipal offices, and libraries.
Additional activities focused on educating family members in various towns throughout the Central Bohemian Region and the creation of an interactive game in collaboration with the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS).
The greatest challenge of the project was managing the timeline for the traveling exhibition and the interactive game. Extending the project timeline contributed to the successful completion of all activities.
As part of the project, the following activities were implemented:
1.1. Awareness programs for younger family members – pupils and students of primary and secondary schools.
1.2. Awareness campaign for the general public.
2.1. Educational events in the Central Bohemian Region – workshops and self-help meetings.
2.2. Experiential education – shared care in support centers.
2.3. Online education – interactive game.
3. Publicity of the project – this activity was carried out throughout the project. A project communication plan was created, and the project was published on the organization’s website: https://dementia.cz/iln-grants/. Additionally, the website included a link to the traveling exhibition: https://dementia.cz/vystava/.
4. Project management – this activity was carried out throughout the project by the project manager.
The purpose of the project was to strengthen measures supporting the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases through (1) education aimed at family members and informal caregivers, and (2) the implementation of an awareness campaign targeting the general public. The objective was to promote destigmatization, early recognition of dementia symptoms, and awareness of treatment options.
The project successfully achieved its purpose, as it was fundamentally focused on activities directly targeting education and awareness across various groups (secondary school students, informal caregivers, and the general public).
The project generated significant interest from schools, both in educating students and in providing training for teachers on the topic of dementia. We plan to continue building on this interest even after the project’s conclusion. Similarly, the interactive exhibition and the awareness campaign addressing destigmatization and early diagnosis of dementia-related conditions have drawn attention from the public and various institutions. We aim to further develop these activities post-project.
In the area of education targeted at family members and informal caregivers, we recognize that the project has sparked interest in dementia-related topics not only among family caregivers but also among the general public. This reflects a growing awareness that dementia may eventually affect them personally. We will continue conducting workshops for informal caregivers and the public after the project ends.