Education as a non pharmacological response to dementia and Alzheimer

The increase in elderly population is leading care services to reconsider their models of intervention and their practices. When taking care of older adults affected by Alzheimer or Dementia it is fundamental to consider not only their medical needs, but also any psycho-social dimension that has an impact on their lives and well-being (Kitwood, 1997). This contribution presents the first results of a European (Lifelong Learning Programme) funded project based on the previously mentioned assumptions. The project, called "SALTO – Social Action for Life Quality Training and Tools" starts from considering that the training of social workers needs to be improved in order to equip professionals with a wider range of approaches and methods to cope with Alzheimer and dementia. What is important, when dealing with such diseases, is to improve people’s life quality, whilst minimising the effects of behaviour-related disorders. Long-term care is in charge of organizations that are both medical and social. Elderly care is “medical” because their beneficiaries require care, whether routinely or occasionally, which is essential for their daily comfort; but is also “social” because they target protection, independence, social cohesion, active citizenship and prevention of isolation (Brune 1995, 2011; Calkins 2002; Rahman & Schnelle 2008; Shura, Siders, & Dannefer 2010).