Swedish rehabilitation experience is being implemented in the psycho-neurological boarding schools of the Vitebsk region

New rule for the elderly: be more active than the young. This is how the country's social institutions are trying to change their previous approaches to their wards. The Vitebsk region has become an innovator in this. Here, for the first time in psychoneurological boarding schools, the Swedish experience of living and rehabilitation has begun to be implemented. The correspondent of "SB - Belarus Today" found out the details.

We peek into the Lunacharsky psychoneurological boarding school for the elderly and disabled. This is, by the way, one of the most modern boarding schools of this profile. In the yard, some residents are riding bicycles, taking advantage of the good weather, others are engaged in Nordic walking, and still others are playing tennis and foot checkers. Some have occupied sun loungers under the roof.

More than 400 people live in the boarding school. And there are practically no vacancies. In four departments, there are patients on bed rest, round-the-clock care, supervised, and independent living regimes.

- In recent years, we have introduced innovative forms of work aimed at the individual rehabilitation of residents, - says the director of the boarding school, Olga Lyudskaya, giving a mini-tour. - Thus, we have various rooms for classes and leisure activities for residents. The physical therapy room is one of the favorites among grandmothers and grandfathers. Unfortunately, one physical rehabilitation instructor-methodologist is not enough, so all staff and volunteers are involved in physical education.

Master classes in integration gymnastics are also held here. Residents are taught relaxation and rhythmic gymnastics, and game elements that can increase people's activity and support the body's functional capabilities, taking into account the physical condition and preferences of the residents.

The boarding house also has relaxation rooms. Residents can enjoy a foot massager to the sounds of the sea. A dance room has recently appeared. The boarding house staff "borrowed" an idea from the Swedes and implemented another room where one can walk on pebbles to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system, then on sand, and then lie in a ball pit. The idea is that every corner of the building has a therapeutic focus. Even the paintings on the walls, for example, images of Polotsk Cathedral or the Eiffel Tower, were not placed by chance: residents should train their eyes by looking up and down.

Interestingly, many of the residents work at the boarding house. This, by the way, is a new method in the Belarusian-Swedish project – integration of people into society, further socialization. For example, residents of the supported living department are mastering occupational therapy in classrooms. Every month they try themselves in a new field: sewing, cleaning, animal husbandry, laundry, crop production, gardening, greenhouse cultivation, carpentry... They receive "bonuses" for their work – a kind of local currency. For this "money" they can buy something tasty in the local shop. And that's not all! At the boarding house, they prepare popcorn and cotton candy themselves. What do you say about the residents working in the fitobar? Or about occupational therapy in the fresh air? The boarding house has five greenhouses, each 128 square meters.

- In spring, we make beds, plant everything, then put stakes in, - shyly shows his possessions Arkady, who, according to the boarding house staff, is very thrifty. - We recently planted bergamot, lemon balm, oregano, and catnip…

An important aspect of treatment is the creative development of personality, socio-cultural rehabilitation. Many enjoy participating in the puppet theater, vocal and choral groups, dance ensembles, orchestra, embroidering icons, tailoring clothes, making children's furniture, felt boots, and slippers.

The boarding house also practices hippotherapy – therapeutic horseback riding.

- It is evident that after such sessions, patients feel emotionally "on top of the world," says instructor Olga Averyanova, pointing to a young woman performing back and arm exercises, holding onto the horse with her legs only.

An interesting detail: Vitebsk and Polotsk State Universities conducted a study. It turned out that in 6 months of implementing the Swedish system at the Lunacharsky boarding school, 80% of patients who could not tie their shoelaces independently learned to do so. And they want to develop further. The supported living service has allowed individuals with disabilities to become more independent and self-confident. Isn't this what both residents and doctors strive for in all psychoneurological boarding schools in the country? Perhaps it's time to adopt this successful experience?

Direct Speech

Alexander Rumak, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection:

- This year marks the completion of the comprehensive social service development program implementation across all regions. Using the Vitebsk region as an example, we are convinced that budget investments are justified: comfortable living conditions, full and varied nutrition have been provided. It's time to move forward. I won't hide that my impressions of the region's work are only positive. When we at the ministry read reports from other regions, we don't always see the real work behind the numbers. But here, at Lunacharsky, social work isn't just happening, it's thriving. Many managers and specialists involved in social issues have something to learn. However, problems still exist. The main one is the minimal use of a scientific approach in managing institutions in the social service sector. We need close cooperation between state and private organizations, and joint development of methodological recommendations to improve the work of boarding schools throughout the country.

Alina Kasel, SB Belarus Today