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Description
Dementia and depression have a complex relationship, threatening the health of older people. Defending the rights of the elderly with dementia and depression will ensure their good health and quality of life. The project will be implemented through actions to inform and develop the skills of public officials in the Regional Units of Fthiotida and Evia of Central Greece, in combination with advocacy actions to inform and empower family caregivers. The target groups and those directly benefiting from the project''s main activities are: 40 civil servants in civil protection bodies, representatives of the justice system, social institutions and the church, 80 family caregivers for the elderly with dementia and depression, 20 policy makers, 80 representatives of civil society organizations in Greece and Europe and 10 media representatives, with multiple benefits.
The project will be carried out by the Hellenic Society of Alzheimer''s Disease and Related Disorders of Chalkida and the Greek Carers Network EPIONI. The informative actions will be carried out with the methodology of participatory training by Alzheimer Chalkida, through lectures, case studies and working groups for authentic interaction amongst the target groups. Collaborative tools will be developed to defend the rights and respect the special needs of the vulnerable groups. The approach is based on the United Nations’ principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment and legitimacy. The advocacy actions will be carried out by EPIONI through a presentation of the short edition of the European Directive on Unofficial Caregivers, in the context of the work-life balance. Upon completion, agency representatives will be able to promote the process of integrating the vulnerable groups into society and caregivers will understand the issues of exercising their rights. An event will be held in Athens to spread good practices with the participation of policy makers, civil society and the media.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to promote the rights of people with dementia and depression in old age in Central Greece, through awareness-raising activities, skills development for public officials and authentic social contact for a deeper understanding and reduction of stigma. During the implementation of the project, specific barriers to accessing mental health services and factors that hinder people''s social participation were identified. Specific issues concerning people living in villages and remote areas were highlighted, family caregivers were directly informed about their rights under the New Labour Law 4808/2021 and direct communication between vulnerable people with dementia and depression in old age and specialized mental health professionals was improved.
Through the main activities, good practices were disseminated to manage contemporary challenges concerning the daily life of people with dementia and depression in old age and their informal caregivers. In the main activities, 297 people of golden age and family members involved in their care participated and in the training seminars and working groups 79 "front-line" public officials including people in health, security and civil protection services participated, with the participation of educational and cultural institutions.
The results are expected to be multiple, firstly, because the element of authentic social contact of the target groups contributes to a deeper understanding and mitigation of stereotypes; secondly, due to the participation of key individuals in the project including policy makers and representatives of stakeholders at local, regional and national level and finally, through the dissemination of the audiovisual and presentation material from the main actions and the printed and digital material (in the form of brochures and posters), presenting the two main actions, as well as through the dissemination of the project.
The material are available on the website of the implementing agency www.alzheimer-chalkida.org and are addressed to all target groups of the main actions and communication actions of the project, while it has already been distributed to the services of Central Greece through the cooperation network of the implementing agency and nationwide, to mental health agencies and caregivers of the partner''s network.