Equal access to health care for the elderly population in the cross-border area: facing the challenge of dementia

The ElderCare project addresses the growing challenge of dementia in the cross-border area of Pella in Greece and  Negotino  in North Macedonia. In both regions, the number of elderly people living with dementia is rising, while access to specialised care remains limited—particularly in North Macedonia, where services are fragmented and support systems for families are scarce. ElderCare introduces an innovative, community-based approach designed to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, their caregivers, and elderly individuals at high risk of developing the condition.

Central to the project is the establishment of cross-border, multidisciplinary Memory Teams composed of municipal staff, healthcare professionals and scientific experts. These teams will operate across Pella and the Vardar region, providing personalised care plans, early detection services, and a range of non-pharmaceutical therapies, including occupational, artistic and physical activities, as well as mental training through digital means. Their work will be supported by advanced digital tools, including e-platforms for dementia risk registration, remote support for caregivers and e-learning modules to train both professionals and non-professional volunteers.

The project also brings significant investment in new services and facilities. Mobile health units will deliver care to remote and underserved communities, while in Negotino a Day Center Unit for elderly and vulnerable groups will be established, alongside a specialised rehabilitation centre within the Negotino Public Health Clinic. In Pella, interventions will make use of local facilities and community networks to deliver health services, capacity building for municipal staff and volunteers, and awareness-raising activities to reduce stigma and promote dementia-inclusive communities.

Activities are designed to ensure sustainability by training local staff and volunteers in family- and community-based dementia care, creating a model that can be maintained after the project ends. Scientific support and training will be provided by the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders and the Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease and Neuroscience, ensuring that all interventions are based on the latest research and best practices.

ElderCare will directly benefit elderly people with dementia, elderly individuals at high risk, caregivers, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and the wider community. It will deliver equal and improved access to dementia care, enhance skills for those providing care, increase social inclusion and create sustainable, community-driven care models that can be replicated elsewhere.

Co-funded by the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–North Macedonia Programme, the project will be implemented for two years and is expected to reach around 5,000 people per year through improved or new healthcare services, establishing a scalable model for effective cross-border dementia care.

ElderCare Logo Pack