- Web site of the case study
- Table of contents
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- Intergenerational solidarity
- Keywords
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- solidarity
- Intergenerational relations and contact
- Dementia care
- Social inclusion
- Creative activities
“I try very hard to involve young people in care programs for people with dementia.”
L.B. (Slovenia), Adult educator on intergenerational solidarity and dementia
L.B. (Slovenia), Adult educator on intergenerational solidarity and dementia
Intergenerational solidarity is about social cohesion between generations. When you hear about intergenerational solidarity and dementia, they are most commonly related to care relationships, where one generation cares for the one, living with dementia.
Next, you will learn about a case study, which explores creative interactions between the young and people with dementia.
The iCONNECT project - Intergenerational contact between students and people with dementia through creative education, is an Erasmus+ funded project. It focuses on creative activities to make intergenerational contact and promote learning about dementia.
Small groups of students worked with people living with dementia in health care units. They had to get to know people with dementia and their needs, to be able to apply creative methods in their daily routine. They used theatre, poetry and music to improve communication and increase respect and empathy for people living with dementia. Creative methods proved to be an excellent non-pharmacological treatment that stimulate memory and have a positive impact on the mood and emotions of people living with dementia.
That is why opportunities for building intergenerational solidarity towards people with dementia should start as early as possible, to reduce stigma of people living with dementia.
Next, you will learn about a case study, which explores creative interactions between the young and people with dementia.
The iCONNECT project - Intergenerational contact between students and people with dementia through creative education, is an Erasmus+ funded project. It focuses on creative activities to make intergenerational contact and promote learning about dementia.
Small groups of students worked with people living with dementia in health care units. They had to get to know people with dementia and their needs, to be able to apply creative methods in their daily routine. They used theatre, poetry and music to improve communication and increase respect and empathy for people living with dementia. Creative methods proved to be an excellent non-pharmacological treatment that stimulate memory and have a positive impact on the mood and emotions of people living with dementia.
That is why opportunities for building intergenerational solidarity towards people with dementia should start as early as possible, to reduce stigma of people living with dementia.
“I try very hard to involve young people in care programs for people with dementia.
I invite psychology and nursing students to work in the community.”
L.B. (Slovenia), Adult educator on intergenerational solidarity and care of people with dementia
I invite psychology and nursing students to work in the community.”
L.B. (Slovenia), Adult educator on intergenerational solidarity and care of people with dementia
By definition (Bengtson, Olander and Haddad, 1975) intergenerational solidarity refers to social cohesion between generations. It is most commonly known in the family context, where mutual assistance between family members of different ages, based on their needs, is provided. From the society’s point of view the principle of intergenerational solidarity refers to exchange between representatives of different generations, related to an ageing society and addressing challenges of generations.
When you hear about intergenerational solidarity and dementia, the two are most commonly related to care relationships, where one generation cares for the one, experiencing dementia.
As an adult educator you should promote intergenerational solidarity about dementia that goes beyond care relationships and show examples of different social interaction between the young and people with dementia.
Here is an example case study to be shown to your learners:
The iCONNECT project - Intergenerational contact between students and people with dementia through creative education, is an Erasmus+ funded project that focuses on innovative practices to support educational institutions in their social engagement in promoting social inclusion of people with dementia.
The project focuses on creative activities to make intergenerational contact and promote learning about dementia. Creative activities, such as arts, music, literature, storytelling, photography, collage making, crafts, playing games etc., are used to strengthen socialization and interaction between people living with dementia and other generations.
Small groups of students worked with people living with dementia in health care units. The students had to get to know the people with dementia and their needs, to be able to apply creative tools and methods in their daily routine. Innovative creative activities that combine theatre, poetry and music have improved student’s communication with people with dementia and increased their competencies, such as respect, understanding, empathy for people living with dementia. Creative methods have proven to be an excellent non-pharmacological treatment that stimulate memory and have a positive impact, both on the mood and emotions of people living with dementia (reducing anxiety and aggression).
As an adult educator you should use such case studies to highlight to your learners the importance of intergenerational interactions as they contribute to building dementia inclusive societies. Your role is to show that opportunities for building intergenerational solidarity should start as early as possible, as there are known positive therapeutic benefits, for example, socializing between people with dementia and children. Also this is the way for younger generations to recognize and build understanding of dementia early and contribute to reducing the stigma of people with dementia.
When you hear about intergenerational solidarity and dementia, the two are most commonly related to care relationships, where one generation cares for the one, experiencing dementia.
As an adult educator you should promote intergenerational solidarity about dementia that goes beyond care relationships and show examples of different social interaction between the young and people with dementia.
Here is an example case study to be shown to your learners:
The iCONNECT project - Intergenerational contact between students and people with dementia through creative education, is an Erasmus+ funded project that focuses on innovative practices to support educational institutions in their social engagement in promoting social inclusion of people with dementia.
The project focuses on creative activities to make intergenerational contact and promote learning about dementia. Creative activities, such as arts, music, literature, storytelling, photography, collage making, crafts, playing games etc., are used to strengthen socialization and interaction between people living with dementia and other generations.
Small groups of students worked with people living with dementia in health care units. The students had to get to know the people with dementia and their needs, to be able to apply creative tools and methods in their daily routine. Innovative creative activities that combine theatre, poetry and music have improved student’s communication with people with dementia and increased their competencies, such as respect, understanding, empathy for people living with dementia. Creative methods have proven to be an excellent non-pharmacological treatment that stimulate memory and have a positive impact, both on the mood and emotions of people living with dementia (reducing anxiety and aggression).
As an adult educator you should use such case studies to highlight to your learners the importance of intergenerational interactions as they contribute to building dementia inclusive societies. Your role is to show that opportunities for building intergenerational solidarity should start as early as possible, as there are known positive therapeutic benefits, for example, socializing between people with dementia and children. Also this is the way for younger generations to recognize and build understanding of dementia early and contribute to reducing the stigma of people with dementia.
Have your say:
- Do you know any other examples of intergenerational solidarity involving people with dementia?
- Do you know any other creative activities you could demonstrate to your learners?
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