CREATOR newsletter #3

6
RECO - New collaborations to
find best practices
The aim of the RECO project is to enhance cooperation
between public authorities, universities
and volunteer associations, and to find best
practices for services for elderly people. The
cooperating regions will exchange ideas and
experience through study visits and workshops
in each region.
Regional activities 2011
Participants in the RECO project made study
visits in Italy and Sweden in 2011. At the meetings
we learned from each other, and the participants
from the other regions talked about
their work with elderly people and shared good
examples of this.
Several of the participating regions started the
project by conducting surveys to find out such
things as the needs, wishes and expectations of
elderly people. In Finland, they conducted a survey
of the needs and wishes of elderly people.
Nursing students interviewed 21 persons (aged
74-96). One important wish expressed was to
have a friend or company. They then arranged
events for residents of Myllymäki concerning
the wellbeing of elderly people.
The participants in Poland and Italy have also
conducted research. In Poland, they researched
the needs and expectations of people aged
50 and over, particularly in the areas of health,
culture and education, and the level of their
participation in social life. The results were
analysed and presented in a report. In Italy, an
extensive survey was conducted, 732 questionnaires
were distributed, 213 of which were then
collected door to door. The results will now be
analysed and presented.
A few of the participants have also planned
and conducted meetings and conferences. The
participants from Poland organized a meeting
with local partners, such as NGOs and public
units working on behalf of elderly people in
Poznan, as a part of the “Active 50+” fair. 42 local
partners participated in working to improve the
quality of life of elderly people. They also organized
13 public lectures. The French participant is
planning a major conference with a university in
May or June 2012. This will be an opportunity for
associations, local institutions and the professional
field of “home care people” to meet each other,
exchange good practices and discuss solutions.
Among other activities in the RECO projects, the
participants from Italy have started a diabetes
training course which will include physical activity.
In Hungary they will make a film on g ood
practice, subtitled or narrated, to be uploaded
and broadcast on a local community TV channel.
The Swedish participants have identified several
good practices which were presented at a study
visit in Umeå in November 2011, one example
being an activity centre for elderly people called
“Ågläntan” in Sävar. This is a place for elderly
people to come and meet, participate in different
activities, or just have coffee and talk. They
are also planning to start a story-telling course
as another objective of the project.
Plans for 2012
In 2012, the project participants will visit Poland
and Finland for study visits. All good practices
will be collated and presented in a document
which can be distributed in each region in various
workshops. We hope that the work we do
within RECO can inspire professionals, volunteers
and elderly people to come up with new
ideas on how to enhance the health and quality
of life of elderly people.
The leader of the project:
Birgitta Brännvall
Sävar kommundel Umeå Kommun
birgitta.brannvall@umea.se
+46 90 16 10 00