<< Background >>It is undeniable that we live in a context of uncertainty, in which changes at all levels are becoming larger, faster, more complex, and more interconnected than ever. The speed of these changes imposed by globalization and the digital world has increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and directly affects our patterns of behavior as individuals and as groups.Digital disruption is changing aspects as diverse as: organizational models and business management, production processes, distribution of goods and services, living habits, social relations, consumption patterns and the spread of knowledge, among others. The dizzying development of digital infrastructures, together with an increasingly agile and simple access and interconnection to Internet, are promoting the generalization of the use of new digital technologies by citizens, companies, and institutions.For Third Sector organizations dealing with social-health care of people with functional diversity, ICTs are changing the way in which entities relate and communicate with their users, collaborators and stakeholders. The digital tools used by entities are diverse: a study from the NGO Platform for Social Action (2019) highlights that most entities use Facebook (87%), website (82.3%) and chats, forums or wikis (72.4%), while an intranet system (30.1%) or online training (31%) are clearly less used. The same study points out that the evolution in the implementation of these tools compared to previous years (2015 and 2011), has remained stable or even decreased. The social sector lags behind other economic sectors. The structural lack of financial resources in this area, and the clear orientation to solve the basic needs of their primary users, contribute to delaying the necessary digital transformation of the entities. Beyond the lack of financial resources, 33% of the organizations surveyed for the preparation of the Digital Barometer of the Third Sector pointed to the lack of talent and knowledge as the main barrier to digitization.If anything highlighted the crisis of covid-19 has been the need to make the qualitative leap towards user support based on technology, promoting an inclusive digital transformation that results in a better quality of life for dependent people. For months, many people with disabilities have been confined to their homes, which has led to deterioration in their quality of life. A recent study by the ONCE Foundation confirms that a 55% of this group have experienced sadness, 50% have worsened their mood, 34% have needed anxiolytics and antidepressants, and 34% have seen their general health deteriorate.The imperative of caring for people affected by chronic and disabling diseases has driven the development of virtualized care sessions, carried out by highly motivated professionals, but with limited training and digital skills. Internal research and analysis among the partners’ organizations and their networks of peers results on a detection of opportunities, but also of weaknesses and gaps that need to be addressed. Firstly, third sector organizations from socio-health care of disabled people do not count on digital transformation models from which learn, in a clear and contrasted way, how to take steps towards the integration of user care models based on new technologies.Secondly, the professionals do not have the necessary training to enable them to carry out their work in virtual formats with guarantees and meeting the objectives of customer service.U-Digitalize is a digital transformation project aimed at empowering professionals from 3rd sector so they are capable of virtualizing the care for people with functional diversity, providing them with the motivation and resources to be able to carry out their work through digital technologies.<< Objectives >>The project is based on the fact that digital transformation is obviously supported by technology, but its success depends on the human factor, that is, in our case, on the ability of people and professionals to successfully integrate this technology into the attention and care processes that they provide to people with functional diversity. Thus, the general objective of the project is to offer organizations models and proven references for the adoption of digital services, empowering their professionals to be able to overcome reluctance and fear of change, to take advantage of the potential of technology in an optimal way, so that they feel motivated and secure in these new digital professional environments, and so that they can guide and support users in the integration of this new type of digitized care.Some of the specific objectives of the project are to:- Promote a new organizational culture focusing on empowering professionals working in care sector organizations (65% of digital transformation processes fail because of the resistance to adopting the changes involved in digitalization).- Incorporate new working models that increase the capacity and resilience of organizations: virtualization of services, teleworking, telecare, digital support for technicians working in community spaces or in the homes of people with disabilities, etc., which will contribute to modernize 3rd sector entities, making them more dynamic, and ready to integrate good practices and new methods in their daily activities, basing on their digital skills. - Make professionals aware of the importance of adapting to new working schemes in digital environments in order to offer quality services to users.- Intervene to break the digital divide: while traditionally, the digital divide was identified as the difference between those who had access to the Internet and those who did not, as technology evolves the new challenge poses over barriers such as the inequality of opportunities for participation or the difficulty in acquiring digital skills and abilities in the use of the Internet and ICTs. - Create a model of digitization of care services for people with functional diversity, aimed at organizations and institutions that offer physical and emotional maintenance services and support for community participation, from the private and non-profit sphere.- Design a training itinerary, focused on those professional profiles that offer direct care services to users.- Offer a professional training course for virtualized care for dependent people, including aspects related to professional digital literacy (considering the European Framework of Digital Competences) of the aforementioned professional profiles, as well as the development of soft-skills related to customer service, and emotional self-management.- Improving the levels of digital competence of both the 3rd sector organizations and their professionals, so they can become more competitive and better respond to the needs of those vulnerable collectives (people with functional diversity) they support.<< Implementation >>The project has been designed so that the activities to be implemented adequately include the 5 main phases within a classic project development working scheme: planning, preparation, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation.The planning phase has been carried out prior to the presentation of this project proposal. It has included research, needs analysis and the joint design of its objectives, expected results and timing.The preparation phase includes all the activities necessary for the correct implementation of the project and has to do with the implementation of the action protocols, the formalization of internal and external agreements, the establishment of collaboration and communication instruments, the agreement about the exact dates for the meetings of coordination and follow-up, and the launching of the actions oriented to guarantee the sustainability of the results in the medium and long term. Thus, it is divided into 5 main activities:A1: Contratualization and performance protocol agreements.A2: Partnership building activities.A3: Financial and administrative reporting.A4: Preparing collaboration and communication tools.A5: Formalization of agreements with associated partners and other collaborators.A6: Deployment of sustainability strategy.The implementation phase has been designed to lead to the development of the two main results: the R1 - U-Digitalize Model, for digitalizing care services for people with functional diversity, and the R2 - U-Digitalize Training Program. This phase is structured according to the following working scheme:A7: IO1 – U-Digitalize Model for digitalizing care services for people with functional diversity.A7.1: Research on digitalization experiences from 3rd sector care organizations.A7.2: Drafting the Guide Model for organizations: structure, contents and supports definition.A7.3: Development of the DT Model (contents, audio-video creation, design and publication)A7.4: Validation of the DT Model with representatives from the target groups.A7.5: Analysis of validation results and integration of changes and improvements. Release of the final version.A8: IO2 – U-Digitalize Training Programme.A8.1: Design of the training itinerary, based on DIGCOMP Framework.A8.2: Training development: contents, learning objects and resources creation, programming of the learning environment.A8.3: Translation to partners’ languages.A8.4: Testing the training programme with target groups.A8.5: Feedback analysis and development of the final improved version.The evaluation stage includes a set of activities aiming at supporting partners monitoring that the planned objectives are achieved, resources properly spent, and activities successfully implemented. This is transversal stage, covering all the project lifetime. The activities and sub-activities included under this category are:A9: Ongoing monitoring and evaluation process.A9.1: Elaboration of the QMP and evaluation tools.A9.2: 1st evaluation report.A9.3: 2nd evaluation report.A9.4: 4th evaluation report.A9.5: Checking milestones and indicators.Finally, another key and transversal stage for the proper implementation has to do with the dissemination and exploitation of the project and its results. This phase includes the following activities:A10: Creation of the dissemination toolkit (logo, leaflet, website, social media profiles…)A11: Social media campaign.A12: Communication and dissemination activities.A13: National dissemination activities – including multiplier events.A14: Dissemination activities reporting.<< Results >>The project will focus on the development of 2 main results:R1 – U-Digitalize Model for digitalizing care services for people with functional diversity.The model will gather good practices and examples experienced during the pandemic year and will base on a research (interviews-focus groups with professionals). The analysis of the results will lead to the composition of a DT (Digital Transformation) Model for organizations and professionals from health-care sector, including recommendations, tips, and ideas, complemented by a set of best practices to serve as inspiration.R2 – U-Digitalize Training ProgrammeThe training programme will base on the DigComp, the European framework for digital skills, as a reference, creating specific contents for the 5 basic areas of competence, and applied to the development of guidance and support services for people with functional diversity.Section 1 – How to digitalize your care activities.This section will focus on those digital skills that the professionals need so they can provide support and services from remote settings. We are thinking on transversal areas, such as, for instance:- Get to know your digital skills. Introduction to the digital competence and initial test of users´ level (this will allow guide them towards the most appropriate level in the training programme)- Search and research – getting the most from digital information.- Creation of audiovisual supporting materials (technical and non-technical tips).- Meeting online – how to organize productive online sessions with users.- Communication based on ICTs (selecting and using the appropriate channels)- Active listening and constructive feedback in virtual settings.This is a non-exhaustive list, as it is open to additional content. Section 2 – Caring for yourself: overcoming obstacles for a healthy online activity.This second part of the training will be aimed at empowering professionals to be able to make safe and responsible use of technologies, protecting themselves both physically and psychologically from the risks of online activity.In addition to these outputs, the project project will also produce more results as consequence of the activities implementation. We can outline the following:Results and deliverables produced in the preparation stage:D1 – Partners contracts.D2 - Communication plan and tools.D3- Project RoadMap.D4 - Risk management and performance protocol. D5- Financial and administrative management protocol.D6 - IPRA – Intellectual Property Rights Agreement.D7 – Project Management Dossier.D8 – Collaboration and communication tools (internal platforms and tools)D9 – Meetings dossiers.D10 – Sustainability Action Plan. Results and deliverables produced in the monitoring and evaluation stage:D11- Quality Management Plan and tools.D12 - Evaluation reports (4): After each six months, partners will evaluate the project quality (management, cooperation and communication among partners, quality and consistence of project results so far, etc.). The results of the evaluation process will be collected in a report by the evaluation leader and shared with all partners to make improvement decisions. The final evaluation report will be relevant also to guide the final exploitation strategy.D13 – Monitoring matrix for the verification of milestones and indicators achievement.Results and deliverables produced in the dissemination and exploitation stage:D14 – Dissemination Action Plan, including updated calendar and reporting guidelines and templates.D15 – Dissemination Toolkit – logo, templates for documents/communications, leaflet, website, profiles on social media…)D16 – Dissemination reports (4): Each six months, partners will report all the dissemination activities carried out so far describing the kind of activity, number of people involved, results, etc. The report will be completed with pictures, lists of attendance and other evidences.D17 – Multiplier Events reports.

"<< Objectives >>The aim of the project ""Art therapy as an empathic tool to strengthen and maintain the cognitive, physical and relational skills of people with dementia"" is to share and transfer knowledge, guidelines and procedures in the use of art therapy as tool able to stimulate learning, socialization and the increase of transversal skills of adults suffering from neuro-cognitive diseases.<< Implementation >>the activities aimed at achieving the indicated results are:1. Local animation activities for the promotion of the project and sharing of European perspectives - Transdisciplinary kick off and training between operators / caregivers;2. International activities for the exchange of good practices regarding art therapy applied to adults with dementia;3. Development of the Caregivers Community and transdisciplinary path<< Results >>1. Increase of the skills and professionalism of the operators involved at European / international level - n 40 Socio-cultural operators with greater skills on European good practices art therapy dementia and management skills of European Erasmus + projects.2. Development of a local community to support the project and start of the ARTHE A.M.A self-help desk3. A transdisciplinary path of CULTURAL WELFARE intended for caregivers and adults suffering from neuro-cognitive diseases"

"Fortunately, the concept of dependent individual has shifted favorably throughout history and now this group is intended to play the most uniform role in society possible. Although the definition of dependent people may vary from country to country, for IntegraCare project we will use reference from the Spanish law for the Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Care for people in situations of dependency. According to it, we define this collective as any person who, for reasons derived from age, illness or disability, and suffering a lack or loss of physical, mental, intellectual or sensory autonomy and need the support of other people or important aids to carry out basic activities of daily life or, in the case of people with intellectual disabilities or mental illness, other supports for their personal autonomy.The problems of a person with physical or intellectual disability, in addition to their personal limitations, appear to have their origin in the obstacles and restricting conditions that exist in the society in which they live. Within these limitations, the possibility of developing an independent and autonomous life is perhaps one of those that requires new action frameworks, new organisational approaches and new professional practices.The World Health Organization called for a paradigm shift in how health services are financed, handled and provided in its ""Global Strategy on Integrated Human Centered Health Services 2016-2026."" To tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing health systems around the world, such as: ageing populations, urbanization and globalization of unhealthy lifestyles, the implementation of a person-centered care approach at international level has been required. The spread of non-communicable diseases, mental illness and injury; inadequate access to health systems; and lack of accountability by service providers with minimal opportunities to provide quality treatment that corresponds to their customers' needs and preferences. In this sense, the fostering of personal autonomy is directly related to the integration of dependent persons (including all areas of life) and should be promoted by interventions that enhance functional ability (physical, cognitive, psycho-affective and social) and acts that remove barriers to independent living. Social-health care for dependent people has for a long time been based on these people's definition of ""need"". The person's critical focus is directed towards achieving changes in all aspects of the person's quality of life and well-being, based on full respect for their integrity and freedoms, their desires and preferences, and counting on their successful involvement.The central person-centered care principle is an indicator of quality and aims to achieve the highest levels of equality for people with functional diversity, embodied in fostering personal autonomy, encouraging dependent people's active and healthy lives. This approach guarantees the highest possible level of personal inclusion and allows practitioners to work with an integrated strategy, creating and maximizing synergies without losing sight of this main goal of autonomy and inclusion. From the first interaction with the dependent individual, it is important that the multidisciplinary team carry out a collaborative review of their needs and abilities, which should cover many areas: home life, lifelong learning, health and safety, freedoms, social and community activities.Truth, however, is typically not focused on these methods, primarily because every professional who assists the dependent individual is a specialist in his / her field (psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, nurses, physicians, etc.) and from that point of view aims to improve user life. Therefore, we suggest the creation of a training programme that allows the various practitioners in this care model to be motivated through an immersive and/or combined approach (face-to-face, and online).The main goals discussed by IntegraCare project include:- Promoting dependent people's personal autonomy, active and healthy lives.- To empower the social and health care practitioners of vulnerable individuals and those with functional differences to apply critical person-centered treatment models.- To raise awareness of the link between integral person-centered care and the quality of life of dependent people and its core dimensions: emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material welfare, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, social inclusion and rights.Implementing this project benefits from an equally interdisciplinary approach and including participants from various contexts of exposure to people with functional diversity. This will also allow realities to be integrated and their stories will motivate and enrich the final result with transferable experiences to other sociocultural realities."

The RECAGE project will tackle one of the most challenging problem arising during the clinical course of dementia: the so-called Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). The current state-of-the-art of the treatment of these symptoms is still unsatisfactory and there are many unmet needs in this area. The major objective of the project will be to assess the effectiveness of an intervention, the special medical care unit for patients with BPSD (SCU-B), that, albeit already implemented in some European countries, is not widespread and has not been sufficiently studied so far, although it seems to be promising for its short-term efficacy (alleviating BPSD and improving quality of life of PwD) and possibly for its long term efficacy. In order to achieve this goal, RECAGE will proceed in three steps: 1) A prospective cohort study, comparing the activity of the centres endowed with a typical SCU-B with that of the other participating centres lacking this facility; the efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of the proposed intervention will be tested in the prospective study. The expected benefits are socially appreciable: improving quality of life of persons with dementia, lessening caregivers' burden, possibly delaying institutionalisation 2) A conference aiming at adapting the SCU-B model in accordance with the results of the cohort study, not only regarding its main endpoints, but also comparing the experience and the different ways of operating of the participating centres and the different socio-political context in which they act 3) A plan for scaling up the intervention in the countries who take part in the study, but where SCU-Bs are absent or sporadic as Italy and Greece.

BACKGROUND By the year 2030, estimates suggest that there will be 74.7 million people with different forms of dementias worldwide. There is no cure for dementia, but several non-pharmaceutical interventions are constantly tested and updated to improve patients quality of life. These include, for instance, interventions to increase communication skills, reduce agitation and stress management, and use of new technology. Unfortunately today direct care workers are systematically excluded by accessing such up-to-date evidence to improve their work. This group of workers paradoxically face the highest demanding work situations, being at the same time the most burdened group and the least trained one. Vocational training opportunities for them are totally inadequate OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT iDO project mission is to make evidence-based knowledge available for workers in dementia care, reaching professionals who are normally excluded from training opportunities. The project objectives are to: 1) design and develop in close collaboration with people with dementia and their caregivers an innovative training package to promote the acquisition of skills and competences; 2) test the training package with an appropriate number of direct care workers in five EU countries, especially for evaluating its impact on their motivation and inclusion in learning activities; 3) finalize the training package incorporating all feedbacks from end-users; 4) disseminate and scale up the intellectual outputs at a wider EU level, ensuring the sustainability of project results. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTSIn an interactive, stepwise co-design and co-production process, we included approx. 2800 participants, including direct care workers (primary target group), people with dementia, their family caregivers, professionals engaged in dementia care (secondary target group) as well as adult studying to qualify as health care and social services professionals. A similar number of men and women were included, aged 20-87. ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGY The training package aimed at addressing current barriers to training opportunities among our primary target group, includes eight modules comprising: • testimonial videos created by caregivers and people with dementia explaining their needs and aspirations (Intellectual Output, IO1); • a series of training videos by expert professionals on dementia care good practices, advices and tips on how to improve daily practice routines and address the needs expressed by users (IO2);- In the end of each module a short quiz has to be passed in order to unlock the serious game described below • an interactive serious game was developed in order to enable direct care workers to manage virtually a series of case scenarios and to learn through problem-solving activities (IO3). The game comprises different scenarios common in daily life. The response to the scenarios are measured in terms of dementia care outcomes and can be followed on the screen while playing. Focus group interviews with people with dementia and their family caregivers were held in Sweden, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The findings were analysed applying manifest content analysis and were used as the basis for the development of the testimonial and expert videos (IO1and IO2) MOOC (IO4) and the serious game (IO3). Data for the dementia care outcome indicators in the serious game (IO3) were generated by means of a review of randomised controlled trials published during the previous ten years. Data from the studies were extracted using regression analyses to generate the outcome indicators.All material is included in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) (IO4) developed and implemented on the Udemy platform. RESULTS AND IMPACT The iDO MOOC (on Udemy) and serious game is publicly available and usable by mobile devices, free of charge in English, Greek, Italian, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Swedish. The MOOC comprises 8 modules on state-of-the-art dementia knowledge, each of them ending with at short quiz, where correct answers unlock more advanced parts of the game. The game and the MOOC are connected via the website idoproject.eu. The MOOC and game seems to improve direct care workers empathy and understanding towards people with dementia and their family carers; it improves their knowledge, skills and competences on dementia care and provides practical tips of best practices interventions in dementia. The game and MOOC have been used by 800+ users and the evaluation of the training package is positive. LONGER TERM BENEFITSConsidering the longer term benefits of iDO results, they are not possible to evaluate yet. However, with the increasing shortage of time possible to allocate for staff education and training, online training tools such as the iDO platform are requested, with high potential to benefit staff, persons with dementia and their caregivers positively.