08.02.2012

Robert Bosch Foundation gives grants for Master program "Dementia"

The foundation provides funds for the new Master program to be followed while in employment. The program is a response to demographic challenges and transcends disciplinary boundaries.

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Up to 24 students of the new multiprofessional Master program in "Dementia" at UW/H will receive grants from the Robert Bosch Foundation (funds come from the affiliated foundation Otto und Edith Mühlschlegel) to cover 50 % of tuition fees. Prof. Christel Bienstein, director of the UW/H School of Nursing, welcomes this support for the new Master program as a recognition of the prospective students' dedication to an important care sector.

Application deadline for the Master program which starts in the summer term is May 15, 2012. The degree program is designed not only for members of medical, therapeutic and nursing professions but also for social scientists, graduates of law and humanities, engineers, architects, urban planners, economists, political scientists and experts in public administration. The program addresses all those who are professionally involved in improving the care of and services for dementia patients and their families.

Prof. Bienstein: "Dementia and patients suffering from dementia are issues of increasing relevance to a growing number of health care professions. Dementia therefore is a major challenge with considerable sociopolitical, economic, humanitarian, social and also multiprofessional implications, but still is a neglected topic in occupational field research and higher education."

Dementia does not stop at boundaries between disciplines; hence the interdisciplinary approach that involves all three schools at the Faculty of Health (medicine, nursing science and dentistry).

The program will empower participants to expand their specific spheres of action in the care of dementia patients. It targets applicants who based on acquired qualifications (diploma, Magister, Bachelor, Master or state examination) wish to advance and consolidate their patient care competences and to prepare local authorities for problems related to dementia care. The focus is on interprofessional collaboration.

Prof. Bienstein: "We believe that dementia will become an issue for many occupational fields and areas of life. As a consequence, there will be new occupational profiles in health care, and a great demand for experts. We intend to train them." The new care support centres that are currently established all over Germany already offer positions to nursing consultants. Urban planners will also have to respond to demographic trends. More and more occupational fields require some kind of qualification in dementia care. According to Prof. Bienstein, market analyses suggest that career opportunities for graduates of the Master program in dementia care are considerable and will definitely improve even further.

The Master program has been accredited by AHPGS.

More information: weitere Informationen zum Studiengang.