Doctoral Researcher Floro Cubelo from the University of Eastern Finland was honored with the prestigious Queen Silvia Nursing Award at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on September 12, 2024. The award was presented by Her Majesty, Queen Silvia of Sweden, in recognition of Cubelo’s innovative idea in dementia care called the "Memory Passport."
Cubelo's Memory Passport is an assessment tool designed to fill a gap in basic older adult care, emphasising the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach. This interactive tool aims to guide caregivers and encourage older adults to actively participate in their care.
My intention was to create a tool that not only addresses the current gaps in care but also fosters a culture of involvement and collaboration between nurses and older adults.
Floro Cubelo
"My intention was to create a tool that not only addresses the current gaps in care but also fosters a culture of involvement and collaboration between nurses and older adults," Cubelo explains.
The Memory Passport places the older adult client at the forefront of care, advocating for personalised and culturally sensitive care that involves family members and multidisciplinary professionals. Cubelo suggests integrating this tool into nursing homes' patient information systems to ensure comprehensive care for residents, addressing their physical, psychological, and social health needs. Additionally, this approach allows for the collection of valuable data to improve the quality of older adult care.
The grand ceremony included a panel discussion chaired by Miia Kivipelto, Professor of Neurogeriatrics at the University of Eastern Finland. She emphasised the importance of a multi-perspective approach to dementia prevention, noting that 45% of all dementia cases are linked to modifiable risk factors.
Accompanying Floro Cubelo at the award ceremony were Professor Hannele Turunen, Chair of Doctoral Education in Nursing Science and Nurse Director at the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo and Kuopio University Hospital, and Markus Karttunen, Manager of the Health Care Sector at the School of Wellbeing and Culture at Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
Looking forward, Cubelo aims to strengthen the Memory Passport through empirical research and pilot testing its usability in patient care.
In May, UEF’s Department of Nursing Science joined the Queen Silvia Nursing Award Academic Alliance. The alliance aims to increase visibility and recognition of care opportunities for older adults and those with cognitive impairments. By participating in this alliance, the university seeks to engage in discussions around patient safety, care team cohesion, funding for the care of vulnerable populations, and talent retention through professional development.
Floro Cubelo is currently a Senior Lecturer and Head of Studies for the Bachelor of Health Care, Degree Programme in Nursing at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, where he pioneered the program. He is also an alumnus of UEF’s Master's Degree Programme in Public Health, where he studied with a focus on Nursing Science.
For further information, please contact:
Floro Cubelo, floro.cubelo@oamk.fi
