Visegrad Cooperation for Working with Seniors

Polish organization European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation TRITIA, Ltd. implemented project with the focus on seniors together with project partners Home of social services and facilities for seniors Zákamenné (SK), Center of Social services Horelica (SK), District Residential Home "Pogodna Jesień" ("Sunny Autumn") (PL), Social Services Center in Český Těšín (PL), 9forces Foundation (PL), Public Servis Company St. Joseph, p.s.c. Ropice (CZ), Nursing house for seniors under a patronage of Sainth Elizabeth, Konvent sisters of St. Elizabeth (CZ), Cambio Foundation (PL), District Residential Home "Betania" (PL), Retirement home Vrbno (CZ).

The aim of the project was to provide external support for institutions providing care for the elderly people – Nurses Home/Homes of Old Age from the border areas of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The project was divided into three workshop focus areas, held in all project partners cities.
First of all, the project partners consortium held together an international conference on the subject of working with seniors, where they discussed the challenges they have to face.
Secondly, art therapy workshops for seniors and their medical assistance or therapist were organized, during which the consortium prepared needed tools such as recording CD accompanied with a song book for the elderly to later use.
Lastly, a special attention was given to seniors who are struggling with dementia and other diseases on tailor made workshops for each of the country.

Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic have similar experience in working with seniors and similarly defined needs in this social sector. Due to these needs, the project took up this issue in different contexts – work for the benefit of seniors themselves – enabling seniors to integrate and live more active life. At the same time, the caregivers had the opportunity to exchange practices and learn from each other. The transfer of experience and knowledge from different countries to the V4 had a positive affect on the improvement of the situation of seniors and thus social care sector.