From July 1st until the end of 2025, 24 volunteers in northern Montenegro will continue providing psychosocial support to individuals with dementia and their families. In recent days, they completed advanced training led by Slovenian expert Tanja Sredojević and are now qualified to enhance positive emotional states that can support brain health and resilience.

To better understand the situation of individuals with dementia and appropriately respond to their needs, volunteers learned about the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize by forming new neural connections. They also studied cognitive and functional improvement options and the connection between mind and body.

The training also addressed the impact of mental states on the nervous and immune systems, the importance of meditation, and its role in calming the body and managing stress.

The volunteers will continue providing psychosocial support starting July 1st, which will last for 18 months in eight municipalities in northern Montenegro.

“Navigating Life with Dementia: A project for People With or at Risk of Dementia and their Families," funded by the European Union and the Government of Montenegro, is focused on creating socially inclusive communities by providing appropriate social services for families and communities dealing with the needs of older adults who have dementia or are at risk of it, as well as the needs of their families, and securing psychosocial support for people with dementia and their families in northern Montenegro.

The Institute Circle from Slovenia, in partnership with the NGO Impuls from Montenegro and eight Montenegrin municipalities, continues joint work on dementia until the end of 2025.

Montenegro, a country with just over half a million inhabitants, has 16.02% of its population aged 65 years or older, with dementia being the leading cause of disability and dependence among older adults worldwide. Montenegro is following the broader European trend, with the number of people with dementia expected to nearly double by 2050. A key factor in this change is the significant increase in the number of people aged 70 and older, especially those over 85.

An analysis of the legislative and strategic framework in Montenegro has shown that there is no law specifically regulating the protection and support of individuals with dementia. Therefore, the Slovenian organization, together with its Montenegrin partner, is providing urgently needed assistance that is a standard practice in Slovenia and the EU.

The project’s partner municipalities include Nikšić, Berane, and Plav, the Social Work Center Berane, Andrijevica, and Petnjica, and the Red Cross Nikšić.