Abstract
Context and Objective: The IADem Plan is a collaborative initiative resulting from a Cooperation and Partnership Agreement between the Local Health Unit of Alto Minho - Community Care Unit of Ponte da Barca, the Santa Casa da Misericordia of Ponte da Barca and the Psychology Research Centre of the University of Minho, namely the Health and Family Research Group. The IADem Plan aims to respond to the growing number of cases of dementia and frailty, promoting not only the integration of person-centered care, but also mobilizing the community and training formal caregivers and health professionals, in order to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive support system.
Community Interventions and Professional Training
•Community Awareness Events: Since 2016, the IADem Plan has organized 25 events to raise public awareness of dementia, including workshops, webinars and intergenerational meetings. The ‘Reviving Memories’ campaign and the ‘Giving Voice to the Caregiver’ are examples of actions aimed at involving the community in citizenship and inclusive public policy issues.
•Training Professionals (2023): In 2023, the Plan trained 152 professionals from Private Social Solidarity Institutions (75.6% of the total), addressing topics such as burnout prevention, activities of daily living (ADLs) and person-centered care. This work aims to improve the quality of care offered in the municipality, strengthening professionals' technical knowledge.
Dissemination and Research
•Dissemination: To increase the visibility of the Plan, five editions of the IADem Newsletter were created, as well as publications in newspapers and social networks, raising awareness in the community about dementia and frailty care.
Impact and Future Prospects: Community campaigns and training have been essential in promoting empathy and understanding about the challenges faced by family caregivers, raising public awareness and fostering supportive attitudes. These actions are also in line with Pillar 5 “Workforce Capacity and Capability” of integrated care, which highlights the importance of developing the capacity of formal caregivers and support networks to provide adequate responses to the needs of family caregivers.
It is also essential to adopt a caregiver-centered approach to improve the effectiveness of care and the quality of life of caregivers and cared-for people. The integration of support for caregivers and people with Alzheimer's dementia is in line with Goal 3 of the UN 2030 Agenda, which aims to reduce premature mortality and improve access to care.
Alzheimer's dementia accounts for around 7 per cent of years of life lost, with a disproportionate impact on women. Promoting adequate resources and recognizing the importance of care provision and its societal impact are essential measures to improve the quality of life of caregivers and the quality of care provided, favoring the development of more effective and inclusive public policies.