Three main project results were developed and validated for this purpose:
- Competence and capacity building training package in education for Peer Support Workers in dementia
- A digital platform that facilitates networking and improving peer support in dementia care.
- A set of recommendations to address dementia challenges and policy gap implications
All outputs are available in English, Norwegian, Greek, Italian and Romanian language and the report about training pilot is available in English on the project website.
In the context of dementia care, a PSW is a current or former caregiver of a person with dementia who draws strength from personal experience and is able to provide advice and observations from a different perspective to a person who has had or is having similar experiences. Through the project, the partnership involved more than 20 caregivers to valorise their spontaneously developed experience in caring for people with dementia. The various activities implemented in these 2 years focused on accompanying caregivers in a path to upgrade as PSW by discussing and sharing experiences among peers and testing how personal interaction, empathy, communication and listening are relevant in peer support. In parallel, focus groups were organised for the development of strategies for involving family members in the care of dementia patients. The expected impact is to strengthen services in dementia care and will enable greater innovation in services through the involvement of PSWs in care planning and support.
The PIA project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme, has come to an end and during its 2 years of existence saw 5 organisations from 4 countries collaborate to promote the figure of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) with the role of advocacy for family members and caregivers of people with dementia in Norway, Greece, Italy and Romania.
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English
Greek
Italian
Norwegian
Romanian