Waldviertel project brings people with dementia into community life

A project in Lower Austria’s Waldviertel region is creating opportunities for people with dementia to take part in social and cultural life. ORF reported that the Ankerpunkte project aims to reduce stigma, fear and taboos surrounding dementia and prevent social isolation.

“People with dementia are far more than their diagnosis,” said Sabine Mandl, a senior researcher at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Fundamental and Human Rights. She said their abilities, interests, needs and dignity must be respected, while barriers to self determined participation must be removed.

The project is being carried out under the direction of the Open Innovation in Science Center of the Ludwig Boltzmann Society. The local Verein Nachbarschaftskultur association is supporting its implementation.

After the first workshop series in June, a second series is now beginning in Sallingberg and Neupölla in Zwettl district, and Waldenstein in Gmünd district. The free workshops include drawing and creative activities, music and group singing, movement and dance. They are open to people with and without dementia, relatives and other interested participants, and require no previous experience.

“With Ankerpunkte, we want to test how artistic and creative spaces for encounters can bring people with and without dementia together and reduce fear of contact,” said Andrea Schmidt, the project’s director and a senior expert at the Open Innovation in Science Center. The research findings are intended to form the basis of a practical handbook for municipalities.

Online event on dementia support

About 170,000 people in Austria live with dementia, including more than 22,000 in Lower Austria. That figure is expected to double by 2050, according to the report.

On World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21, the Gehirngesundheit Kompetenzzentrum is hosting a free online information event for people affected by dementia and their relatives. The webinar, titled “Hope instead of fear,” will cover progress in prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, as well as support services. It starts at 5 p.m. on Monday.

The Demenzservice NÖ service will also hold a dementia day in Mistelbach on October 16, with information stands, expert talks and workshops.