Abstract:

Alzheimer is an extended disease highly related with dependency. As Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) can be defined as a neurological disorder that induces to a progressive deterioration of all cognitive functions. Memory and sense of direction loss, language disturbance or executive functions deterioration are just some examples of neuronal damages that AD causes on sufferers.

In this sense, authors have conducted a pilot experience to indicate that potential formal caregivers’ theoretical and practical training contribute to benefit AD sufferers’ informal caregivers. It has been realized within the preparatory phase of the Progress Project “Alzheimer’s project: Tremplin Intergénérationnel d’Insertion Sociale et Professionnelle” (VS/2011/0162) funded by European Commission and conducted both in Spain and France.

Based on communication skills and different therapies as orientation to reality and music therapy, pilot training experiences were carried out to provide theoretical and practical skills to nonqualified youth and women in social and labour exclusion risks. As a global aim, this project is addressed to evaluate pilot experiences conducted in both countries in order to define effective policies on Social and Health issues that will be broader tested in the following months. Thus, authors will present results of the pursued effects of Spanish pilot phase activities on families and potential formal caregivers. Analysis on both psychological benefits on informal caregivers and labour inclusion improvement through care-giving knowledge will be discussed.

New employment opportunities and access to new health programs are obligatory issues included on Welfare System sustainability’s debate. Due to the remarkable benefits obtained in this pilot phase, evidences of this experience can be extended to define specialized Social and Health policies around Europe to tackle long-term care needs, as in the case of AD.

Keywords:

Alzheimer's Disease, informal caregiver, music therapy, Social and Health Policies, labour inclusion.