Santiago de Compostela, Thursday, 19 September 2024. This week the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is concluding the project “Accessible Heritage”, aimed at people with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease and their companions. Its goal is to foster scientific culture among an audience that has little or no access to adapted outreach and scientific-culture activities.
The project was a joint initiative of the Scientific Culture Unit of CSIC in Galicia, through the Institutional Delegation, together with two CSIC institutes in Galicia: the Institute of Heritage Sciences (INCIPIT, Santiago de Compostela) and the Institute of Marine Research (IIM, Vigo). It was developed mainly through interactive workshops adapted for people with Alzheimer’s and their companions, held from April to June, and through a MUPI awareness campaign this week in Ribeira, Burela and Cee, some of the towns where workshops were also held.
More than 100 people with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease took part in the workshops. The connecting theme was archaeological heritage and natural maritime heritage, in both their tangible and intangible forms.
The MUPI campaign is taking place this week to mark World Alzheimer’s Day (21 September), with the aim of raising public awareness of the disease.
“The results of the programme have been largely positive. By reconnecting with their past and taking part in meaningful activities, participants not only gained new knowledge but also strengthened their self-esteem and emotional well-being,” CSIC states.
The activities were designed in collaboration with associations specialising in work with Alzheimer’s patients and families, grouped within the Alzheimer Galicia Federation (FAGAL), as well as with associations dedicated to the conservation of musical heritage, such as Fundación Legar and Fundación Terra Termarum (Cuntis).
All activities were funded through “Project FCT-22-18215. Annual coordination of the UCC Network: accessible scientific culture for people with disabilities at CSIC”, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology call (2022).