Name of your initiative:
Muisti-KaVeRi (‘Memory Mate’)
Short name (acronym):
Muisti-Kaveri
Website title and address:
www.muistiliitto.fiWhich organization is submitting this initiative?:
The Alzheimer Society of Finland
Please specify in which regions/provinces:
SUOMI / FINLAND›MANNER-SUOMICity:
Vaasa
Where is this organization located?:
Finland
Please enter the name of the contact person for this initiative:
Mailis Heiskanen
Please enter the email of the contact for this initiative:
mailis.heiskanen@muistiliitto.fiPart of larger strategy or programme:
Local
If you answered "other", please specify:
Please provide us with more details of this programme or strategy:
Muisti-KaVeRi (‘Memory Mate’) is a volunteer who has received training for serving as a friend visitor for people with memory diseases who still live in their own homes. Member associations of the Alzheimer Society of Finland have developed a number of volunteering and support person programmes for people with memory disease. The Muisti-KaVeRi (Memory Mate) programme is based on the knowledge that people with memory disease do not have enough people to support them so that they could participate in daily chores and activities.
The status of the initiative:
On-going
Please give a summary of your initiative (in English):
Muisti-KaVeRi (‘Memory Mate’) is a volunteer who has received training for serving as a friend visitor for people with memory diseases who still live in their own homes. The programme gives an opportunity to a significant number of lonely people with memory diseases to maintain normal activities and live their own lives by, for example, continuing participating in an important hobby. Everyone’s life is different. For some, normal life means going to art exhibitions, for others going fishing, rummaging through jumble sales, baking or simply chatting and sharing experiences and thoughts with a friend. It will provide a rehabilitation experience that is geared towards one’s own personal needs, and at best, may even help postpone institutional care.
Target group
Families with a member who has memory disease
How does the concept work in practice? For Example Vaasa`s memory association:
1. Muistiluotsi coordinates the initial training, which covers practicalities, such as rotas, roles and co-operation agreement
2. The local authorities identify families suitable for the programme
3. Students, the future “Memory Mates”, attend a training day coordinated by Muitsiluotsi with the learning content provided by Muistiluotsi, the local authorities and the educational institution
4. After the training, the students visit the families (e.g. on five consecutive Fridays) as coordinated by their educational institution.
5. According to the best practice, the volunteers are presented with a certificate for the training.
How does the concept help people with memory disease?
Member associations of the Alzheimer Society of Finland have developed a number of volunteering and support person programmes for people with memory disease. The Muisti-KaVeRi (Memory Mate) programme is based on the knowledge that people with memory disease do not have enough people to support them so that they could participate in daily chores and activities.
The goal is to enhance the resources and functional ability of people with memory disease and to allow them to continue their normal lives, as they know it, for as long as possible.
The concept works because...
The method provides an efficient channel to strengthen co-operation between Alzheimer associations and local authorities while educating future care professionals on their attitudes and stereotypes regarding older people and memory diseases. The scope of the co-operation is extensive and it helps improve the quality of life for people with memory disease and their families and bring joy to their day-to-day lives.
The geographical scope:
Local
Type of initiative:
Public-private-partnershipEnvironment or setting of the initiative:
The economic environment or setting of the initiative:
RichThe most important source of funding for your initiative:
Other
If other, please specify your source of funding:
What triggered this initiative?:
The Muisti-KaVeRi (Memory Mate) programme is based on the knowledge that people with memory disease do not have enough people to support them so that they could participate in daily chores and activities.