There are > 6 million Persons with Alzheimer and other Dementia (PwAD) in Europe, affecting 10% of the population >65 and 50% of those >85. Due to the increased life expectancy, this disease is becoming an epidemic, affecting the sufferer, relatives and caregiversCreative Arts Therapies (CATs), the “planned and creative use of art, dance, drama or music to accomplish individualized clinical goals”, is used to complement other therapies focused in minimizing this cognitive and behavioral decline of PwADDigital CATs are a relative newcomer to CATs methods and materials that can be defined as “all forms of technology-based media that are used by arts therapists to assist clients in creating art as part of the process of therapy”.Despite on the availability of CATs and supporting Digital Tools, their implementation is not extended and, therefore, their potential for improving QoL of PwAD is underexploited AD-ARTS is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, knowledge, skills) of PwAD (Mild and Moderate), Relatives and Professionals on the implementation of CATs supported by DTs for improving Quality of Life.Specific objectives:•To aware/motivate this group about the importance of CATs for QoL•To transfer knowledge, guidelines and procedures on how to implement CATs for producing proper behavioral and emotional outcomes.•To transfer knowledge, guidelines and procedures on how to use DTs for supporting the implementation of CATs.•To improve socialization of PwAD, including the participation of Relatives in the implementation of CATs supported by DTs with PwAD out of the care centersThrough the execution of this Project the next results will be obtained;•Co-Created Methodological Guide (I.O.1) will be developed, involving the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competences of PwAD, Relatives and Professionals about how to implement Creative Arts Therapies with the support of Digital Tools•Designed Experiential Training Activities (I.O.2); They will be the core of the Training Program and they will enhance the practical and experiential training of PwAD, Families and Professionals, including the optimal and oriented exploitation of aforementioned Training Materials within real environments.Designed Experiential Training Activities (DETAs) will be specifically ADDRESSED TO TRAINERS, including guidelines for its implementation and conduction and how to properly use the Training Materials developed in I.O.3DETAs will include the design of Face-to-Face and Online Sessions, based on Group Dynamics, Practical Activities, and, specially, Experiential Activities, where PwAD, relatives and Professionals will directly exploit Creative Arts Therapies Supported by Digital Tools, while increasing their competences through putting into practice methods and tools during the Training Activities.•Training Materials (I.O.3) addressed PwAD, Families and Professionals about how to implement Creative Arts Therapies with the support of Digital Tools. I.O.2 is different and complementary to I.O.3, both needed for the implementation of the Training Program•Development of an e-Training Platform (I.O.4), for supporting the implementation of the Designed Experiential Training Activities (I.O.2), including Training Materials (I.O.3), Workspace and link to applicable ICT Tools.•Creation of 5 D-ARTS UNITS, one per country, in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime.•Implementation of 6 Multiplier Events on the application of Creative Arts Therapies supported by Digital Tools addressed to stakeholders that could multiply the impact of the project. 5 Multiplier Events will be implemented on each country and an additional Multiplier Event-Final Conference will be implemented in Turkey.•Development of Dissemination Actions addressed to the European collective related to Alzheimer and Other Dementias and to the collective working in the field of Creative Arts Therapies. AD-ARTS will benefit a number of persons during the project lifetime:• 130 persons will be trained, including Persons with Alzheimer and Other Dementia (PwAD), Relatives and Professionals (30 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy and 10 in Greece) through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform. • 2.500 Persons with Alzheimer and Other Dementia (PwAD), Relatives and Professionals (500 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy and Greece) will be aware, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…

When a person begins to develop Alzheimer Disease (AD), they may begin to have difficulties living independently. Episodes occur in which the relatives of the affected person can detect difficulties in the administration of money, driving a vehicle or the ability to live alone on the part of the person suffering from cognitive impairment. In the early stages of AD, some people still believe that they can function without problems, and may even insist that they are well and that it makes no sense to try to interfere with their lives AD-AUTONOMY is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of Persons with Initial/Mild Alzheimer (PwA), Families and Caregivers, about how to improve Quality of Life of PwA through Autonomy through an innovative training program The project has the next specific objectives: • Aware and motivate this group on the importance of maintaining the autonomy of people, within a security and support environment, as an element of QoL for PwA and their families. • To increase the Autonomy of PwA for taking decisions and live independently with a global Wellbeing and QoL approach. • Transfer good practices and recommendations to this group to promote Autonomy through training in the execution of daily routines • Transfer tools, including Apps and Assistive Technologies, to support the processes of empowering and increasing Autonomy of PwA. • Transfer techniques for the emotional management of impairment associated with illness and related problems, based on the concept of mindfulness. • Involve professionals and supports In order to cover all the needed competences, the consortium includes: • 3 entities working in the field of supporting PwA (AFAC, SPO, Derneği), involving a big collective of persons, families and professionals. These organizations have own staff and also established cooperation with experts in their countries in order to give technical support to the University and Technological Centre when adapting the outputs to PwA. • 3 Universities (UPV, BU, AUTH) specialized in development and application of ICT solutions adapted to collectives with special needs, specially Alzheimer Through the execution of this Project the next results will be obtained; • Co-Created Methodological Guide will be developed, with the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competences of persons with Alzheimer, their supports (families and professionals) and professionals regarding Autonomy for increasing their Quality of Life. • Training Materials addressed to persons with Alzheimer, families and professionals for facilitating the implementation of Autonomy in a safe and supported environment. • Designed Experiential Training Activities addressed to persons with Alzheimer, families and professionals for facilitating the implementation of Autonomy in a safe and supported environment. • Development of an e-Training Platform, including awareness, training contents and references or links to existing ICT Tools/ICT Assistive Technologies solutions for supporting the implementation of Training Materials and Designed Experiential Training Activities. • Creation of 5 AD-AUTONOMY UNITS in all the countries of the Consortium in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime. • Development of Dissemination Actions addressed to the European collective related to persons with Alzheimer. VALIDATION ACTIONS will be organized on each country, based on the practical implementation of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Activities and e-Training Platform, involving about 30 persons, including persons with Alzheimer and families, and 10 caregivers. Evaluation and analysis will be done. Project Activities will be completed with Management and Implementation actions AD-AUTONOMY will benefit a number of persons during the project lifetime: • 150 persons with Alzheimer and their families will be trained (30 in Spain, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece), through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform. • 50 professionals (10 in Spain, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece), will be trained, through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform. • 1500 persons with Alzheimer, families and professionals (300 in Spain, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece), will be aware, through the dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc.

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia (www.who.int), 10 million in Europe. Projections indicate an exponential growth in the following decades, increasing the severity of cases (2019 Alzheimer Europe Yearbook, Estimating the prevalence of dementia in Europe). Most advanced stages of the disease occur in GDS phases 6 and 7 (Global Deterioration Scale for the Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia). In Phase 6 there is a severe cognitive decline, incontinence, delirium, compulsions, anxiety or agitation, among others, and people require extensive help to do daily activities. In Phase 7 there is very severe cognitive decline, lost of the ability to speak or communicate and psychomotor skills, like the ability to walk (www.dementiacarecentral.com).The number of persons with advanced dementia (PwAD) living and receiving care in domiciliary environments is growing as their life expectancy grows and due to the deinstitutionalization trends where, according to the Quality of Life (QoL) Model, they should stay at their home as much as possible.AD at HOME project is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, knowledge, skills) of Carers on how to improve Quality of Life of Persons with Advanced Dementia (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environments.Specific objectives:•To aware the target group about the effectiveness and impact of proper care for the QoL of both PwAD and Carers•To create and transfer guidelines and tools on how to;Implement existing innovative strategies for improving QoL of PwAD (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environments, focusing in Non-Verbal Communication and Sensorial Stimulation.Adapt the main care tasks of PwAD (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environmentsApply Assistive Technologies for improving QoL for PwAD (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environments.•Increase competences of Carers for self-care to help them face the ethical challenges of caring, reduce the burden and prevent their burn out.According to that, the next results will be developed:I.O.1 Co-Designed Training SchemeA Training Scheme of the “AD at Home” Training Program will be developed with the direct involvement of potential END USERS (CARERS) as “experts” of the daily needs of PwAD in advanced stages (GDC 6-7) and their own needs. This way, END USERS will participate in the design process, helping to assure that the results achieved met all the identified needs. I.O.2 Training Package on Non-Verbal Communication and Sensorial Stimulation for Persons with Advanced Dementia in Domiciliary Environments (HUMANITUDE)A Training Package will be developed including information and applied knowledge about how to implement existing innovative solutions in the field of Non-Verbal Communication and Sensorial Stimulation for PwAD (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environments.I.O.3 Training Package on Adaptation of Care Tasks to Advanced Dementia in Domiciliary Environments (ALZ.DERNIGI)A Training Package will be developed including information and applied knowledge about how to adapt the main Care Tasks to Advanced Dementia (GDS 6-7) in domiciliary environmentsI.O.4 Training Package on Assistive Technologies for improving the Quality of Life of Persons with Advanced Dementia in domiciliary environments (IAT)A Training Package will be developed including information and applied knowledge about existing Assistive Technologies which can improve the Quality of Life of Persons with Advanced Dementia (PwAD, GDS 6-7) and Informal Caregivers in domiciliary environmentsFinally, the aforementioned “AD at HOME e-Training Platform” (I.O.5) will be developed5 NATIONAL MULTIPLIER EVENTS will be organized, where all the project results will be introduced to the main national stakeholders.VALIDATION PILOT ACTIONS will be implemented in all countries with 80 CARERS of PwAD (20 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey and France) where all the Training Packages including Training Materials and Experiential Training Activities will be put into practice and testedWe can distinguish among different kind of impacts:Short Term:- increase the competences of 80 CARERS (20 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey and France) through their direct participation in the Pilot Validation Actions - 2.500 CARERS, Professionals working with Persons with Dementia and other Stakeholders (500 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey, France and Germany) will be aware, through dissemination actionsLong Term: - During 5 years after the project completion, thanks to the work to be done by the Support Units, the project will increase yearly the competences of 200 persons including CARERS (50 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey and France) through their participation in Training Courses - In the long term, 2.500 CARERS, Professionals working with Persons with Dementia and other Stakeholders (500 in Spain, Slovenia, Turkey, France and Germany) will be aware yearly during the 5 years after the completion of the project

<< Objectives >>- Production of training materials to fill the gap in the vocational training curricula of search and rescue and emergency personnel regarding the cases of missing people with Alzheimer's and dementia,- To develop a digital glossary about Alzheimer's/dementia and disaster/search and rescue related terms.- Production of a template emergency script specially made for family, caregivers or support network of people with Alzheimer's/dementia.- Policy recommendations for authorities.<< Implementation >>- Working meetings with relevant organizations and associated partners.- Literature search and data collection.- Transnational Project Kick-off Meeting and Project Launch.- Learning/Teaching/Training Activities.- Production of digital education materials according to the project objectives and presenting them to the beneficiaries with the distance education platform.- Project Workshop and Training Seminars as Multiplier Events.<< Results >>1- A Distance Education Platform containing digital education materials.2- A digital dictionary containing terms related to Alzheimer's/dementia and disasters.3- An e-portfolio to measure and evaluate the skills acquired.4- A package of solution proposals for policy developers.With the project, it is aimed to increase the awareness of people in the support network of individuals with Alzheimer's/dementia about disasters and of search and rescue personnel about Alzheimer's/dementia disease.

<< Background >>Around 10 million persons in Europe, usually older than 65, live with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia and a growth is expected (Alzheimer Europe Yearbook, 2019). The cerebral changes come with a general deterioration of the health status. Evidence suggests that amongst persons with dementia (PWD) there is a high prevalence of comorbid medical conditions and related impairments (Sanderson et al., 2002), as it may adversely affect the clinical care and undermine a patient’s ability to self-manage chronic conditions and engage in health maintenance activities (Bunn et al. 2016). Along the first stages of the disease, levels 2 to 4 of the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), PWD may begin to have difficulties living independently and they would need some kind of support and care, while they still retain their ability in most of basic and simple instrumental activities days of life (ADLs). According to the Quality of Life Model, this support must be based in empowering them towards self-management, being a process to “help people gain control, including people taking the initiative, solving problems and taking decisions” (ENOPE 2012).Mobile Health (mHealth) includes applications (apps) that may connect to medical devices or sensors (e.g., bracelets or watches) as well as personal guidance systems, health information and medication reminders. mHealth apps cover various technological solutions, that among others measure vital signs such as heart rate, blood glucose level, blood pressure, body temperature and brain activities and deliver communication, information, motivation and training tools for keeping or improving the health condition (WHO, 2012). To date, in addition to general mHealth technologies, there are specific applications for dementia healthcare used in cognitive training, screening, health and safety monitoring, leisure and socialization, and navigation. (Yousaf et al., 2019) mHealth contributes to the empowerment of persons with mild dementia (hereinafter PWD), as they could manage their health more actively, live more independently thanks to self-assessments or remote monitoring solutions and also receive support from caregivers and healthcare professionals in a less invasive environment (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/mhealth). Eventually it will help to stay longer in the home setting before needing care in institutions. However, the adoption of mHealth technologies by PWD is very low at EU level, due to several barriers, including those for any elder persons, whose “acceptance criteria” focus on; perception of usefulness; user requirements; self-efficacy; sense of self and control; privacy and confidentiality; cost (Spann&Stewart, 2018). In addition, PWD faces specifics challenges, among others;•Lack of awareness about the benefits of mHealth and how to apply it for their own self-management.•They withdraw from challenging situations and feel embarrassment when being confronted with new and complex situations (GDS)•mHealth solutions can cause dexterity limitations and leads to distressing behavior (Yousaf et al., 2020)•Lack of transference methods directly addressed and adapted to PWD<< Objectives >>mHEALTH-AD is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences of PWD (GDS 2-4) for adopting mHealth technologies.Specific objectives:-Increasing self-management and empowerment of PWD regarding their health condition-Transference of adapted information about existing affordable mHealth technologies selected based on the general and specific acceptance criteria and how to use them-Development of a training methodology based on “learning by doing” and “gamification” where PWD can be trained in a “friendly” environment, reducing their fears, concerns and reservations to the mHealth technologies before they can use it in the real world. -Development of a Digital Serious Game which will motivate them to be engaged with mHealth and increase their digital skills.According to that, mHEALTH-AD will get the next impacts in the population of persons with mild dementia (PWD)-They will increase their self-management and empowerment-They will improve their health condition-They will increase their digital skills-They will increase their resilience in the framework of health emergencies, like those related with the COVID-19 pandemic.We could distinguish among different kind of impacts:Short Term:100 PWD (20 in Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Greece and Turkey) will participate in the Pilot Validation Actions, and, this way, they will increase their competences for adopting mHealth solutions.4.500 persons (1.500 in Germany, 1.000 in Slovenia and Greece and 500 Spain and Turkey and Greece) including PWD, professionals working with PWD, formal and informal caregivers, health professionals and other stakeholders related with the quality of life of PWD and/or the Mobile Health (mHealth) will be aware, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…Long Term: 200 persons will be trained and will increase their competences for adopting mHealth solutions (40 in Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Greece and Turkey) yearly during the 5 years after the completion of the project using the Project Results4.500 persons (1.500 in Germany, 1.000 in Slovenia and Greece and 500 Spain and Turkey and Greece) will be aware yearly during the 5 years after the completion of the project, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…<< Implementation >>Through the execution of this Project the next main outcomes will be obtained;PR1. CO-CREATED METHODOLOGICAL GUIDEA Methodological Guide will be developed with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for increasing the competences related to the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies by persons with mild dementia (PWD). It will be developed with the direct involvement and contributions from PWD, as end-users, who will help in the determination of the definitive approach to be used for the development of further Project Results of the Training Program, including key contents, methodologies and tools to be included.PR2. DESIGNED EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES Designed Experiential Training Activities (DETA) will be designed for increasing the awareness and competences on PWD about the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies based in a learning by doing approach, where they will be involved in situations of health self-management where they will acquire competences through the real use of mHEALTH solutions. This Project Result will be addressed to TRAINERS (mainly caregivers, relatives or health professionals), as it will include all the information needed for successfully leading the training process with the trainees (PWD).PR3. TRAINING MATERIALS Following the specifications set in the Methodological Guide (PR1), a set Training Materials will be developed for TRAINEES (PWD) for being used along the implementation of the Experiential Training Activities (PR2). They will support the learning process on competences of PWD for increasing their health self-management supported by mHealth solutions.Training Materials will be developed mainly in audiovisual format (videos, images, infographics, etc.) to facilitate the learning experience and overcome possible learning difficulties of PWD, although written materials (MSN Word, PDF, PowerPoints, case studies, best practices, assignments, etc.) will also be developed, adapted in content and in form to PWD.PR4. DIGITAL SERIOUS GAMEA Digital Serious Game will be designed and developed to be used by PWD in order to better understand the concepts related to mHealth, their benefits, increase their motivation and also check their knowledge about good health habits.The game framework will be about creating an Avatar with the main characteristics of a PWD and care for its health through monitoring health-related data, simulating that they are send by the Avatar by means of mHealth solutions. Topics mentioned during the game sessions will be based on the Experiential Training Activities (PR2) and the relevant Training materials (PR3)PR5. e-TRAINING PLATFORMAn e-Training Platform (PR5) will be developed supporting the training experience, adapted to PWD, fully customized to the training framework, including specific functions for enhancing the implementation of the Experimental Training Activities (PR2) and the structured access to the Training Materials (PR3) depending on the specific training needs of each PWD and linked to the mHEALTH-AD Serious Game (PR4)A set of VALIDATION PILOT ACTIONS will be implemented in all countries with 100 PWD (20 in Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Greece), where the project results (PR2, PR3, PR4 and PR5) will be implemented and possible improvements will be implemented before the end of the project.6 NATIONAL MULTIPLIER EVENTS will be implemented and all the project results will be introduced to relevant national stakeholders.<< Results >>Through the execution of this Project the next main outcomes will be obtained;PR1. CO-CREATED METHODOLOGICAL GUIDEPR2. DESIGNED EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES PR3. TRAINING MATERIALS PR4. DIGITAL SERIOUS GAMEPR5. e-TRAINING PLATFORM