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According to recent Eurostat data (2017), Greece has one of the most aging populations in the EU-28 (21.5% are over 65 years old). From the perspective of healthy and active ageing, promoting mental health and improving the quality of life of older people is as important as improving their physical health. However, according to the AgeWatch World Index (https://www.helpage.org), Greece holds the 79th place (last place in Western Europe) in relation to the quality of life of older people in 96 countries. We know that while older people are healthier and more active than before, they are increasingly facing "new type" of problems, such as loneliness and social isolation (Active Ageing Index - UNECE/European Commission, 2019), with dramatic consequences (e.g., decrease in cognitive ability, decreased psychological resilience, increased risk of depression, premature mortality). The economic crisis, as well as the recent pandemic (COVID-19), have increased the risks for the elderly and have created conditions of poverty and further social isolation. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the quality of life of the elderly and especially those who live in elderly care units/nursing homes.
Employees who have to face the challenges of the elderly daily are not specialized and in addition they are employed for more than 10 years without training and updating of their knowledge. Therefore, a specialized training of the staff of the nursing homes is necessary for the management of the vulnerable group of the elderly. The training will help them to better address the multiple problems faced by the elderly, to improve services and therefore to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Local and Regional Government can make a decisive contribution to maintaining social cohesion and improving the quality of life of the elderly. In particular, the Region of Crete with the elaboration of the Regional Strategy for Combating Poverty and Social Inclusion, aims at developing an integrated policy of prevention and combating the social exclusion of the vulnerable population groups. It is also the only Region in the country with a special Measure for active aging in the Social Inclusion Strategy, recognizing the need to promote initiatives at the local level to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Therefore, this intervention is considered necessary, as it implements actions to achieve the objectives of the Regional Action Plan for active aging and is aligns with the overall strategy of the Region of Crete for social cohesion and development and aims at empowering elderly for self-care and independency and improve their "well-being".
Method of design and implementation
The present program that is implemented online in the elderly care units/nursing homes includes two (2) subprojects:
Subproject I: Psychosocial and mental empowerment of the elderly.
Subproject II: Training of professionals-employees
Details for Subproject I: Psychosocial and mental empowerment for groups of approximately 10-15 elders (total 20 hours per group: 5 hours for 4 weeks) with actions for: (1) Psychological empowerment and improvement of well-being (2 hours/week): (a) Recognition of emotions and (b) Improving well-being and increasing happiness with practical exercises based on Positive Psychology (focus on strengthening skills, virtues, talents, increasing subjective happiness, reducing stress and depression and achieving a fulfilling life). (2) Combatting loneliness / social isolation (2 hours / week): (a) Addressing social problems of the elderly and (b) Training in communication (3) Mental empowerment (1 hour / week): (a) time orientation and (b) Recall of Experiences.
The means used are interactive - experiential exercises, storytelling, therapeutic fairy tale, music, painting, discussion - storytelling, etc.
Details for Subproject II (Training of professionals): The training (54 hours in total) was implemented synchronously (22 hours) and asynchronously (32 hours) in the following topics: Use of tools for early diagnosis of bedsores, dehydration, diabetic foot, Management of pressure ulcers and diabetes, Elderly feeding techniques (oral, nasogastric catheter, gastrostomy, gastrostomy), Measures to prevent the spread of infections and Prevention of thromboembolism. The following tools were used for synchronous training: PowerPoint presentations, videos, case studies. For asynchronous training were used: study material, exercises through electronic platform, multiple choice questions, filling the blanks, etc.
After the completion of the Subprojects I & II, the following will be carried out:
(I) evaluation (a) of the effectiveness of the program (whether the objectives for both groups were achieved) and (b) of their satisfaction with the program.
(II) actions to raise awareness and disseminate / publicize the results of the program.
Originality and Innovation .
It is a holistic and multidimensional program that draws theoretical and practical knowledge from various disciplines (Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Nursing, Computer Science, etc.).
Ιt is interdisciplinary as it is based on the collaboration of scientists with different background
It is based on the cooperation of an Academic body (2 research laboratories) with the Regional Government.
Draws from Positive Psychology which is a new theory in the field of Psychology and is a modern revolution in the field, as rather than focuses on psychopathology, disorder and problematic aspects of human being, it focuses on abilities, virtues, talents ( Stalikas & Mitskidou, 2011) and in achieving a fulfilling life and full of satisfaction.
During the period of the pandemic and the measures of social distancing (2021) -which necessitated to address currents needs urgently- the program started to be implemented online with the help of platform and electronic means (tablets), offering the isolated elderly a possibility of psychosocial and mental empowerment and employees the opportunity to be trained and update their knowledge.
The implementation methodology with many different means allowed the interactive - experiential participatio
Reproducibility of the program/practice
The Laboratory of Quality of Life is already in the process of signing a new contract with the Region of Crete for the extension of the actions of the program called “NOT ANYMORE ALONE” to the Day Care Centers for the Elderly (KIFI) of the Region. Specifically, it will implement training activities for KIFI employees (title: "Integrated Intervention Program for Updating KIFI Employees' Knowledge").
