Seniors we care about
‘I am happy with my caregiver. She is like a daughter to me’. ‘She helps me a lot every day. I anxiously await Ms Ela’s every visit’. These are the opinions expressed by project participants. The challenge of ageing societies requires a growing number of solutions, such as those supported by the European Social Fund.
Seniors withdraw from their social life prematurely. ‘One of our seniors, who lives in a rural area, has not left her home for 20 years. Thanks to employing caregivers, our centres can integrate seniors. Sometimes, for the first time in their lives, seniors have an opportunity to go to the theatre, a concert or a restaurant,’ says Krzysztof Rębacz from the Polish Red Cross in Bydgoszcz. Twenty rural communes have employed 36 caregivers to take care of 180 senior citizens, whereas in cities, the project has provided neighbourhood-based assistance to 120 seniors. Using a neighbour as a caregiver is one of the most efficient solutions, since they are always at the spot and available. The project also employed volunteers, and 210 seniors received life-saving wristbands.
The project provides care for 386 dependent people over 60. But the support has been also channelled to actual caregivers, often relatives, who stay ‘on duty’ 24×7. ‘The project was developed and implemented together with the Toruń-based Regional Social Policy Centre. Our local network of contacts helps us to reach those in need. The Regional Centre (ROPS) provides their strong content-based support,’ says Danuta Szukalska, the Director of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Branch of the Polish Red Cross based in Bydgoszcz.
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- Voluntary workers help in everyday activities
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- Apart from life-saving wristbands, seniors have envelopes of life in their homes
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- 210 seniors received life-saving wristbands
Envelope of life Apart from wristbands fitted with an emergency button, seniors have special envelopes of life at home. Envelopes contain information about the patient’s health status, medicine administered, relatives’ contact details and personal data. The envelope should be kept in a well-marked and accessible place. It helps a doctor or a first responder to make an informed decision.
It was important to support the actual caregivers, namely relatives of dependent seniors. Relatives could benefit from induction visits, consultations, relieve visits and a 20-hour workshop. ‘The relief visits turned out to be particularly helpful. A nurse came for a couple of hours to take care of a senior and the actual caregiver could rest or deal with their matters,’ says Krzysztof Rębacz. The project established an equipment rental offering rehabilitation beds, toileting aids for disabled people, lifts, walkers and rollators.
Project: Happy retirement years in Kujawy and Pomorze Regions – a project developing local assistance for senior citizens Project cost: approx. PLN 9.99 m, including approx. PLN 9.24 m from the European Social Fund, Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Programme