Dignified ageing and dementia preventing, Montenegro,
2022-2024
Protecting of the right to dignified ageing and dementia preventing, 2022-2024
The European Commission recognizes active and healthy aging as a major social challenge common to all European countries (UNFPA & HelpAge International, 2012). Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among the elderly worldwide. Dementia does not only affect the elderly who suffer from this disease, but also has a physical, psychological, social and economic impact on their caregivers, families and society in general.
Institute Circle (Slovenia) and project partner NGO IMPULS (Montenegro) came together to protect the rights to dignified ageing and respond to the needs of elderly people with dementia in the north of Montenegro and the psychosocial needs of their caregivers. Associated partners also joined the project: Municipality of Plav, Municipality of Gusinje, Municipality of Nikšić, Center for Social Work for Nikšić, Plužine and Šavnik, Red Cross of Plav, Red Cross of Nikšić and Scouts of Prokletije. The project is financed by European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.
The project will provide a valuable contribution to other actors of civil society and local governance in shaping an affective response to the needs of elderly people with dementia or elderly people prone to dementia and the psychosocial needs of their caregivers and provided guidelines (which will be based on concrete experiences gained during the project) for the development of criteria and the selection of beneficiaries. The survey and mapping, the first of its kind in this area of Montenegro, will contribute to the collection of information, including statistical and research data, which will assist government structures in formulating and implementing policies in this area.
The project will provide a meeting platform for local government with the aim of contributing to the fight against stigma and social injustice of people with dementia and dementia-prone elderly people and their carers by operationalizing local plans for social inclusion and social services.
Through a 12-month public awareness campaign, various activities will address new audiences and inform the general public about the right to age with dignity, thereby reducing the stigma and prejudice associated with dementia.
Twenty-five volunteers will be trained and mentored - promoters of the rights to dignified aging in local communities, who will also provide psychosocial support to caregivers and families of elderly people prone to dementia, raise awareness of the rights of elderly people with dementia and their caregivers, and spread the necessary skills for providing psychosocial support (PSP) to caregivers and families of elderly persons with dementia or prone to dementia.
With project activities, we want to bring the world of elderly people with dementia and their caregivers closer to the decision-makers and to the broader and narrower social environment; we want them to understand and be aware of the problems and obstacles that these people face, and above all we want to spread awareness about their rights. In particular, we will highlight the awareness that each individual has the power and duty to bring about positive changes and that each individual can help respect the rights of everyone in society.
Project duration: 2022–2024
Project partners: Zavod Krog (Slovenia), NGO IMPULS (Montenegro); associated partners: Municipality of Plav, Municipality of Gusinje, Municipality of Nikšić, Social Work Center for Nikšić, Plužine, and Šavnik, Red Cross Plav, Red Cross Nikšić, and Scouts Prokletije
The project is funded by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.
