Samira Pusch: Bringing Innovation to Dementia Care with Future Care Farm

Would you like to tell us something about yourself and your interests outside of work?

"In my free time, I enjoy being active and playing sports. I spend a lot of time with my dog and my cat, who are very dear to me. Additionally, I love discovering new places and traveling to broaden my horizons. I particularly enjoy planning activities with my family and friends, as well as spending time with them."

Could you briefly tell us about your career as a nurse and what led you to elderly care?

"In 2021, I began my training to become a registered nurse because I have been fascinated by the field of care since my childhood. My interest was particularly shaped when my great-grandmother developed dementia in 2011, and we took care of her together on our family farm. From this experience, my father came up with the idea to establish a care farm. In 2019, he founded the care service 'Natürlich,' a specialized care service for care farms. In August 2024, I successfully completed my training and have since been working as the deputy head of the care service at the care farm in Marienrachdorf."

Would you mind giving us a brief introduction to your family's dementia farm?

"A care farm combines the traditional activities of agriculture with the care and support of elderly people. On our farm, agricultural work continues to be carried out while simultaneously creating a place that offers older adults a familiar, nature-oriented environment. This innovative combination brings numerous benefits: seniors benefit from the structure and active life on the farm, while farmers gain an economic foundation through care services that secure their livelihoods. This concept preserves the tradition of small farms, promotes the production of healthy food, and places great emphasis on the welfare of animals. As a result, the care farm becomes a sustainable and forward-looking social model."

What motivated you to continue and expand your family's innovative care farm concept, and what specific advantages does this model offer residents compared to traditional nursing homes?

"During my training in various care facilities, I realized how unique and special our care farm is—a haven for people with dementia. This concept not only provides an alternative to traditional nursing homes but also addresses many societal challenges. Therefore, I am highly motivated to continue and expand this innovative project.

The care farm creates a familial atmosphere where residents feel secure. At the same time, they are engaged in meaningful and natural tasks, such as caring for the animals, collecting eggs, or helping prepare lunch. These activities not only promote physical and mental activity but also give residents a sense of self-worth and participation in life. This model offers seniors a nature-oriented, structured environment that goes far beyond what is possible in conventional nursing homes."

Can you describe how the daily activities on the care farm improve the social integration and physical well-being of the older residents?

"The daily activities on a care farm uniquely promote both the social integration and physical well-being of the older residents. The daily routine on the farm provides residents with a meaningful and clear rhythm, offering structure and orientation. Activities such as feeding the animals or taking them to the pasture not only create clear tasks but also instill a sense of responsibility and purpose, which is especially important for many elderly people.

These activities promote physical activity in a natural and gentle way, as tasks can be adapted to the individual abilities of the residents. At the same time, social interaction is strengthened because many tasks are done together, whether it's collecting eggs or preparing meals, often using farm-produced ingredients.

Animals play a central role in this process: studies show that contact with animals has a demonstrably positive effect on people with dementia. Symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, or depressive moods can be significantly alleviated by being close to animals. Animals have a calming effect, promote emotional well-being, and invite residents to spontaneous, heartfelt interactions.

Through this combination of meaningful activities, social community, and the healing power of animals, a vibrant yet secure atmosphere is created, significantly enhancing the quality of life for the residents. The care farm thus provides a place where elderly people can spend their days actively, engaged, and valued."

What plans do you have for expanding the care farm concept, and what challenges do you anticipate in this growth process?

"My goal is to take the care farm concept to an international level with the initiative 'Future Care Farm.' We plan to develop a franchise system that allows us to share our successful model with others and specifically support existing projects. Through this, I aim to further spread and sustainably establish the idea of a nature-oriented and community-based approach to care.

The focus is on improving the quality of life for those in need of care, enhancing the working conditions and atmosphere for caregivers, and simultaneously preventing the extinction of family farms. The combination of care and agriculture offers a unique opportunity to harmonize social, economic, and ecological aspects.

I foresee challenges in this growth process, particularly in developing a standardized system that still offers enough flexibility to adapt to local conditions. Additionally, training and supporting new care farm operators will play an important role in ensuring high-quality standards.

With my passion, creativity, and commitment to care, I am determined to set new impulses and actively contribute to positive change. My goal is to create a model that not only benefits people in need of care but also opens up new perspectives for caregivers and rural communities."

What does winning the QSNA mean to you personally and professionally?

"Winning the QSNA is a significant milestone for me both personally and professionally. It opens many new doors, as it not only increases the visibility of our project but also creates opportunities to establish valuable connections. These new relationships can help further disseminate our concept and gain important supporters.

I hope that through this recognition, we can lay the foundation to open more care farms so that even more people can benefit from this special model. For me, this win is not just an award but also an inspiration to further develop our vision and sustainably change care."

What are your expectations for your year as a QSNA winner?

"As a QSNA winner, I have high expectations for the coming year and see it as a unique opportunity to significantly advance the 'Future Care Farm' project. I hope to use the increased attention to raise awareness of our concept and attract potential supporters, such as investors, partners, or political decision-makers.

Another focus is to expand our network to learn from other innovative approaches and experiences that can enrich our project. I want to use the year to forge new collaborations and develop a franchise system.

Furthermore, I hope that the award will help raise awareness for alternative, nature-oriented care concepts and highlight the importance of quality of life, community, and sustainability in care. For me, this year is not only an opportunity to further disseminate the concept but also to act as an ambassador for change in care and to initiate a long-term movement."

What advice would you give to other healthcare professionals who want to introduce innovations in elderly care?

"My advice to other healthcare professionals who want to introduce innovations in elderly care is to stay committed to their ideas, even when facing challenges or resistance at the beginning. Innovations often require patience and perseverance, as changes in established structures are not always immediately accepted. It is important to maintain faith in your own vision and continuously seek solutions to overcome obstacles.

I would also recommend not viewing yourself in isolation but actively seeking exchange with other professionals and institutions. Collaboration and the willingness to learn from each other are crucial for successfully implementing new approaches. Additionally, it is helpful to gain the support of decision-makers and partners early on who believe in the idea and are willing to support it. Ultimately, it is about seeing changes not as obstacles but as opportunities—to improve the quality of care and sustainably enhance the lives of the people we care for.