‘Heel Blij‘ Over ‘Gewoon Doen’: Berkelland’s Ambitious Plan to Support Dementia Patients and Caregivers
Wethouder Betsy Wormgoor of Berkelland is thrilled about ‘Gewoon Doen’, a unique initiative aimed at supporting both dementia patients and their caregivers. "We’re already shifting our focus from healthcare to health," says Wormgoor. "It’s crucial for individuals to stay in their homes longer and engage in day-to-day activities with the help of caregivers, maintaining energy and fitness."
Four ‘pilot projects’ or ‘proeftuinen’ have been established where dementia patients and caregivers can seek support. These fueran:
- Valuable Work: Connecting with businesses to create opportunities for individuals who can no longer work after their diagnosis.
- Art Brewery: Creative activities led by artists experienced in working with dementia patients.
- Sports Federation: Promoting physical activity to maintain overall well-being.
- Odensehuis in Neede: A meeting place where individuals can discuss their abilities and wishes, with or without a referral.
The primary goal is to provide meaningful daily engagement. "Activating people as soon as possible is crucial," emphasizes Wormgoor, stressing the importance of physical activity for dementia patients. These initiatives have shown that participants become more active at home.
With an increase in younger people afflicted with dementia, the Odensehuis becomes increasingly significant. Therefore, caregivers are also offered support. They need to learn to delegate and can attend courses on dementia care. "Caregivers face growing demands and must understand their limits," says Belinda Winters, manager of Netwerk Ouderen en Veerkracht Achterhoek.
While the project runs until mid-September, a key challenge lies in ensuring its sustainability afterward. "It’s a nine-month period, and we need to brainstorm how to continue afterwards," says Anita Kunst.
