The Foundation is launching REMS at a distance, the new support service for the elderly

Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation has launched a new remote support service to promote and maintain a good quality of life for the elderly with onset of dementia, given the current situation of confinement and social isolation suffered by the elderly due to of the Covid19.

REMS at a distance gives continuity to the REMS program (Reinforcement and Stimulation of Memory and Health), which was born in 2013 as an initiative of the Foundation to address a need partially covered so far: attention to people with mild or moderate cognitive impairment resulting from neurodegenerative diseases or the aging process itself.

The new program starts with 1,186 registered. These are elderly people who were already beneficiaries of the REMS program and who, unable to attend in person the Social spaces that the Foundation has throughout Catalonia, have continued to receive the support of professionals, who have guided them in daily activities to maintain their capabilities.

The novelty is that now this remote service also allows to reach people who until now have not been linked to the program, people who could not move to the Social spaces where it was carried out or people who live in municipalities where there are Social spaces.

In this new service, the communication between the participant and the professionals is at a distance, through the channels that each person wants: by telephone, by instant messaging, through video calls, or by e-mail. And it includes a telephone support for periodic psychological and emotional monitoring and advice on the proposed materials, as well as the promotion of social relationships via text or video calls, with adaptation to the specific needs of each person and family.

REMS at a distance is born due to the current context, but will have continuity to ensure that people with dementia can be accompanied and follow some routines and good habits in their day to day. The ultimate goal is to maintain their cognitive, physical, and creative abilities for as long as possible; prioritizing their emotional well-being and autonomy. And also that of his caring relatives.