DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING THE WELL-AGEING OF PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME Erasmus Project
General information for the DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING THE WELL-AGEING OF PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME Erasmus Project
Project Title
DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING THE WELL-AGEING OF PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
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 2018
Project Topics
This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Disabilities – special needs
Project Summary
Down Syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder, occurring at about 1 in 600/1.000 births (worldwide population is about 6 million). One of the significant changes of Persons with Down Syndrome (PDS) at the beginning of the 21st century is manifested in the remarkable increase in their life expectancy thanks to advances in the fields of integral health, in the incorporation to an inclusive education and labor market, and in the new models of independent life that are increasing at EU level
PDS are more likely to develop a premature pathological ageing due, among others, to reasons of a neurobiological nature (Flórez, 2010). Usually, PDS older than 30 years shows symptoms of ageing. This pathological ageing is associated with dementia processes and combines disorders of cognitive and behavioral functions, also modifying personality .
There are currently knowledge, recommendations and tools that will allow addressing the problems associated with the ageing of PDS, however, currently its implementation is insufficient, mainly for the following reasons:
• Lack of adapted methodologies to transfer knowledge and methods to PDS and professionals in an affordable way
• Lack of tools adapted to the abilities of PDS, including ICT solutions, to implement the recommended actions, including cognitive stimulation.
• Lack of an integrated and inclusive approach that includes the supports of PDS, that is, family and community members.
DS-AGEING is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of PDS over 30 years, Professionals and Families about how to improve the Well-Ageing, according to the Active Ageing Model, through an innovative training program
The project has the next specific objectives:
• Promoting the prevention and identification of the physical and cognitive effects of ageing
• Transferring adapted methods and tool for the realization of physical activities and cognitive stimulation in order to prevent the effects of ageing and train in their use.
• Promoting the realization of independent, inclusive activities and community participation and train in their realization
• Preparing PDS in the absence of support received by parents and tutors throughout their lives, including the correct management of the legal and economic aspects derived from the ageing of PDS
• Identifying, analyzing and training in the use of ICT solutions that could support the whole process of “Well-Ageing”
Through the execution of this Project the next results will be obtained;
• Co-Created Methodological Guide (I.O.1) will be developed, with the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competence
• Training Materials (I.O.2) addressed to PDS over 30 years, Professionals and Families for improving their Well-Ageing, according to the Active Ageing Model
• Designed Experiential Training Activities (I.O.3); They will be the core of the Training Program and they will enhance the practical and experiential training of PDS over 30 years, Professionals and Families, including the optimal and oriented exploitation of aforementioned Training Materials within real environments.
• Development of an e-Training Platform (I.O.4), for supporting the implementation of the Training Methodology, including Training Materials, Workspace and link to applicable ICT Tools.
• Creation of 5 DS-AGEING UNITS in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime.
• Development of Dissemination Actions
DS-AGEING will benefit a number of persons during the project lifetime:
• 40 persons with Down Syndrome and 40 families and Professionals will be trained (20 in Spain, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia) through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform.
• 2.500 persons with Down Syndrome, families and professionals (500 in Spain, Portugal Slovenia, Romania and Greece) will be aware, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…
EU Grant (Eur)
Funding of the project from EU: 196083 Eur
Project Coordinator
UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA & Country: ES
Project Partners
- Associação Portuguesa de Portadores de Trissomia 21
- SLOVENSKO ZDRUZENJE ZA POMOC PRI DEMENCI – SPOMINCICA ALZHEIMER SLOVENIJA
- ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
- FUNDACIÓN ASINDOWN
- Downov sindrom Slovenija – Drustvo za kakovostno zivljenje ljudi z Downovim sindromom
- Asociatia Langdon Down Oltenia Centrul Educational Teodora