SOCIAL INNOVATION IN THE POPULATION WITH DEMENTIA: MEMORIZAR PROJECT. A PORTUGUESE CASE

Abstract

The demographic shifts and the aging population are leading to a rise in the number of individuals living with dementia. These trends are prompting the development of initiatives aimed at fostering independent living for people with dementia, allowing them to remain in their homes with support from caregivers for as long as possible. The objective of this article is to assess the impact of one such initiative in Portugal, specifically a social and health innovation project in the dementia field called "Memorizar," on the cognitive abilities and autonomy of individuals with dementia. The tools employed included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Assessment Scale for Dementia 2, and the Barthel Index. The sample consisted of 17 individuals diagnosed with dementia, selected for convenience. Results indicate that 82% of the participants maintained stability in cognitive function, while 88% preserved their level of autonomy.