The interdisciplinary project Digital and robotic support in long-term care: strengthening competencies for practical solutions, which was carried out at Alma Mater Europaea University in collaboration with the Mavida Radlje ob Dravi nursing home, has been completed.
The project was led by Dr. Nataša Štandeker and Mr. Miha Mihalj, with professional support from university collaborators and active involvement of students.
The key project activities were:
- Acquiring digital competencies of students in collaboration with mentors and experts who provided digital tools.
- Conducting practical trainings and workshops for employees in long-term care facilities, residents of elderly homes, their relatives, and representatives of the local community. The workshops enabled the presentation of digital tools and informed the wider public about the goals and potential of the project.
- Organizing a symposium where we discussed possibilities for broader use of digital tools in long-term care and strengthened cooperation among key stakeholders.
- Joint evaluation of experiences and transfer of knowledge into the educational process.
Special thanks go to the students of Alma Mater Europaea University and partner universities, who significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the project with their dedication:
- Neše ODABAŠ, nursing (Erasmus student)
- Anastasija Dvanajščak, management in healthcare and social welfare
- Špela Kos, social gerontology
- Lorna Munda, social gerontology
- Rok Šadl, nursing
- Vid Mahorič, informatics and communication technologies
- Gašper Zigmund, psychology
- Luka Urban Kitek, psychology
- Lucija Kolenc, psychology
At the final event, we held three workshops on the implementation of robotic technologies in long-term care. Dr. Maša Jazbec from Katapult Trbovlje also participated, together with the robot Lili and the robotic dog. Under the mentorship of Dr. Štandeker, students presented examples of robot use to the management, employees, and residents of the Mavida Radlje ob Dravi home.
The project successfully connected educational and clinical environments and enabled the transfer of knowledge into practice. With this, we contributed to greater preparedness of future professionals, improved quality of services, and better living for the elderly.
The project was implemented within the operation from the call "Problem-based learning of students in the work environment 2024–2027", co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Social Fund Plus.
At Alma Mater Europaea University, we have been engaged for more than 15 years in the question of how to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Learn more about the study of social gerontology.
