International Snoezelen Association ISNA - Snoezelen professional e.V.

News

At the 11th Symposium of the "International Snoezelen Association ISNA - Snoezelen professional e.V." from the 18th to the 20th of October in Karlstadt am Main ISNA will focus on a subject that has been discussed for years - "older people". Unfortunately political life is still strongly avoiding the subject but professionals working in the field have been demanding for at least two decades to improve facilities and quality of life for the elderly. Likewise - although maybe not as strongly voiced -  the relatives want improved facilities, care and assistance for their parents or grandparents.
The Federal office of statistics has calculated that in Germany the proportion of people older than 60 between 1960 and 2010 has risen from 17.4 to 26.3 % and that the number of people aged 80 or over between 2011 and 2050 will rise from 4.3 million to 10.2 million. In 2060 every third citizen will be aged 65 or over.
(Federal agency for political Education - Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Zahlen und Fakten. Die soziale Situation in Deutschland http://www.bpb.de/nachschlagen/zahlen-und-fakten/soziale-situation-in-deutschland/61541/altersstruktur).

Life expectancy has risen continuously and we can assume that in 2050 the average lifespan will be 90. But with life expectancy rising the state of health declines. By now many socio-political and health policy measures have been taken to minimise age-related illnesses and health problems of the so-called "fourth age". But not much attention is turned to innovative approaches. Traditional recommendations such as sporting  and leisure time activities, wellness and nutrition programmes - increasingly imbedded in holiday packages (especially cruises) - stand out. But what opportunities do people with impairments have, people who are psychologically and physically impaired, who want to stay with their families, who are long-term or repeatedly cared for in rehabilitation centres or care homes and those who have a limited budget available to them?
Snoezelen, provided by professionally trained experts, lends itself as an alternative. This year's 11th symposium of "ISNA- Snoezelen professional e.V."  focuses on the target group of the elderly, their carers and relatives as well as representatives from socio-political institutions (such as clinics,  technical colleges, care homes, health authorities, health insurances). As a result of above mentioned thoughts the focus of the symposium will be on the spectrum of dementia (simple and advanced senile dementia, vascular dementia, Alzheimer's, mixed forms of dementia). A model facility for the care of people with dementia will be viewed  and the first concept of a "Dementia -Clinic-Hotel" worldwide will be introduced. The hotel caters for the people with dementia as well as their relatives or carers. All groups will be individually cared for by the hotel staff and the nursing staff and can request an individually planned program based on their needs. A stay in the hotel will provide support and help for every-day-life. One major focus will be Snoezelen as it helps to make every-day-life a bit easier and improve quality of life (cf. http:/demenz-klinik-hotel.de/). Matters such as rest, relaxation, wellbeing, activation and waking memories will be introduced and discussed. You will receive suggestions and ideas for the setup of a Snoezelen-room (also with very basic means) to get started.

The board of "ISNA-Snoezelen professional e.V." would like to invite you to the symposium. There will be plenty of opportunity to network with other professionals. Program and registration form are attached. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or require help with finding accommodation.
We hope to see you in Karlstadt am Main

» Symposium and meeting of members, Karlstadt - Information click H E R E

»  Program Symposium as PDF for download - klick H E R E

» Online-Registration form... klick H E R E

or

» complete the PDF registration form, print it and post it signed to the postal address of:

• Prof. Dr. Krista Mertens • Rüdesheimer Str. 4 • D-14197 Berlin