London, 10th September 2024 – In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, World Jewish Relief is proud to highlight the significant strides made in dementia care across Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus through its partnership-driven programmes. Since 2015, the charity has worked tirelessly to address the growing need for better dementia support in Eastern Europe, particularly within vulnerable Jewish communities. The latest evaluation of this work, conducted by Israeli consultancy Key Impact, shows resoundingly positive outcomes.
World Jewish Relief first recognised the scale of the challenge nearly a decade ago, as communities struggled to manage care for people with dementia in a post-Soviet space where societal stigma and limited resources to diagnose kept the condition hidden. In 2016, the charity launched a dementia care training initiative in collaboration with Jewish Care, which equipped hundreds of social care professionals, volunteers, and families with the skills and knowledge to deliver person-centred dementia care. This training laid the groundwork for a culture change in how dementia is approached, with a focus on improving communication, reducing stigma, and prioritising the dignity and individual needs of those affected.
Today, despite the immense challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, World Jewish Relief’s dementia programme continues to have a transformative impact. The recent impact study shows:
- 85% of staff who participated in the programme reported a significant increase in their knowledge of dementia.
- 81% of staff reported an improvement in their communication with those living with dementia.
- 88% of family caregivers reported having someone they could turn to for support thanks to the programme.
- 64% of caregivers reported improved communication with their relatives as a result of the programme.
- 90% of staff surveyed reported becoming more empathetic towards people with dementia due to awareness-raising activities.
As the programme expands, World Jewish Relief is committed to continuing its work to tackle the barriers faced by people with dementia, including a persistent stigma among older populations and the high staff turnover due to the war in Ukraine. This long-term commitment includes ongoing training, awareness campaigns, and promoting ‘dementia risk reduction’ within the community.
Paul Anticoni, Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief, said:
“Dementia is one of the most pressing issues facing older people today, and we are proud of the impact our programme has made in improving care and reducing stigma in Eastern Europe. Thanks to the dedication of our partners and the resilience of the communities we work with, we can offer life-changing support to those living with dementia, helping them and their families to maintain dignity and connection. We remain committed to supporting older people across the region, especially in these challenging times, to ensure they are not forgotten.”
For further information about World Jewish Relief’s dementia care programme and its work supporting older people in Eastern Europe, please visit www.worldjewishrelief.org.
