Améliorer les Réseaux de Professionnels pour la Santé Mentale des Personnes âgées atteintes de Troubles Psychiques en Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

Améliorer les Réseaux de Professionnels pour la Santé Mentale des Personnes âgées atteintes de Troubles Psychiques en Europe

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Research and innovation; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

By 2050, one-third of the population of the EU will be older than 65 years of age and one out of ten Europeans will have surpassed the age of 85 years. As a direct result, the rate of dependency towards the active workforce will increase, from 20.5% in 2010 to 45.0% in 2060. These demographic changes pose economic and social -such as senior employment, retirement and dependency- issues, but also problematic on organizational practices regarding the support and care of these persons. Our project focuses on a neglected group: the elderly with mental disorders (anguish, anxiety, self-depreciation, depression, mourning, over – medication, Diogenes’ syndrome, suicidal tendencies etc.). Studies show that many elderly patients are suffering from somatic illnesses that have gone unrecognized and are being treated, due to this error, for psychiatric symptoms these illnesses tend to present: insomnia, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, a decrease of vital energy and force. It is this particular population that is of concern to us and that, to this day, has not been sufficiently studied. Which professional network should be mobilized in order to identify such a heterogeneous population? What differentiated professional practices should be exercised? Social support is long-term and mobilizes professionals from various disciplines: general and specialized medical practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, welfare workers, psychologists; neither of whom have necessarily been trained in gerontology and mental health. It is, thus, deemed necessary that the practice of each of the above professionals should be linked and that a close partnership should be formed, as they are seldom trained to work in a solid network of professionals aware of the problematic characterizing mental health in old age. Although the problematic of labour organizations and health networks has a contemporary resonance and is being studied, paradoxically, to this day, there do not yet exist methods, modelled tools or good practice guides for professionals working in networks dedicated to older people with mental disorders. In order to fulfil the aforementioned lack, our project seeks to form a Public Mental Health approach that will improve the care and quality of life for these patients, both in institutional and in domestic care. Quality of life has a recognized therapeutic effect. The concept of “empowerment” advocated by WHO is central. WHO is seeking to develop empowerment, in order to reinforce the autonomy and self-esteem of mental healthcare recipients and of ageing persons. Empowerment limits the ruptures in the recipient’s life to a great degree, reducing hospitalization and contributing more largely to the readjustments of hospital costs. Due to the specific needs associated with mental disorders, this public needs adequate support in order to receive full medical and social care. This support should take into account their particular features, on an individual basis, whilst being efficient and adapted to the needs of the recipients and their families. It must be consistent with all the specialized approaches necessary in order to achieve a quality of life in dignified conditions. Whether affiliated with public or private structures, professionals should henceforth work in a network of colleagues with medical, psycho-social and/or administrative backgrounds, which will also be characterized by mobility within and outside the institution. Regardless of organizational logic or stakes, patients and their families expect today to have at their disposal a circle of professionals that will provide them with, and maintain, access to quality care. But how could improvement of professional practices be achieved, when dealing with such a heterogeneous and vulnerable population, in need of chronic care? This project aims to improve, at a European level, professional practice in a network form. It draws on the expertise of specialists, researchers, and medical and social sector professionals from 5 European countries. The objectives that this project aims to achieve, is to produce: A. A literary review regarding professional networks treating elderly patients with mental disorders, B. A research analysis on the practices carried out by professionals working in networks with this specific population, C. A socio-cultural reflective study on networking throughout Europe, for the support of the elderly, D. Concept, implementation and testing of a European exchange platform, aiming to establish and follow-up such networking, E. A recommendation guide on favorable terms and parameters to the efficiency of network management and monitoring of elderly people with mental disorders, F. Promotion of mental healthcare networks for professionals (European conferences and publications).

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 191457,5 Eur

Project Coordinator

LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF HEALTH & Country: LU

Project Partners

• EPSM LILLE METROPOLE
• UNIVERSITE DU LUXEMBOURG
• Centre Neuro Psychiatrique Saint-Martin
• PANEPISTIMIO KRITIS
• Center for Mental and Pedagogical Support
• UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU DIN ARAD