More information
Description
The goal of the project is to establish an innovative model of distant chronic disease management - teleassistance, based on the use of modern information and communication technologies /ICT/ in Vratsa, Vidin and Montana regions. This will improve the access of vulnerable lonely people with chronic diseases and permanent disabilities to professional medico-social support including beneficiaries in remote and rural areas. The new service will build on the activities of the Home Care Centers /HCC/ providing home-based medico-social services in Vratsa region which are envisaged to be expanded to two new regions in the course of the present project - Vidin and Montana. Thus, following the Norwegian experience, the activities of all seven HCCs in the three regions will be gradually combined with teleassistance services, providing for the establishment of a system of 24-hour response (call-centre to be based in Vratsa) and recruitment and training of the staff accordingly. The piloting of teleassistance services in Bulgaria aims at reaching the most vulnerable members of our society and thus, adjusted to their needs, to make them feel safe and allow them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The target group includes people aged 50+ with chronic diseases and disabilities including Roma and other ethnic minorities. The project will also seek to elaborate effective models of social inclusion and integration of low-educated, long-term unemployed persons incl. representatives of Roma and other ethnic minorities through provision of vocational training and qualification and creating employment opportunities in the area of community-based medico-social services.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the following issues: a) population ageing and big share of chronic diseases and permanent disabilities among older people; b) lack of qualified medical help and social support in smaller locations distant from regional centers; c) immigration of younger population; d) limited financial and human resources in the health care and social services sphere; e) need for innovative solutions to cope with increasing needs of older population.
Successful introduction of the telecare model for older people with chronic diseases and disabilities; 81 job positions created in the target regions; 7 Home Care Centers functioning in Northwest Bulgaria; 1131 vulnerable older persons received regular medico-social care at home; Control and Communication Center established; 940 older persons received telecare services; a quality standard for telecare services created; a study performed by the University of Allied Sciences in Bergen on the effectiveness and applicability of telecare services in Bulgaria.
The results can be viewed from several perspectives: 1) improved access to older people to qualitative medical care and social support; 2) increased safety and promotion of independent living of older people; 3) creation of an innovative model for complex provision of medico-social services at the home of the beneficiary and distant 24/7 monitoring of vital signs; 4) increased collaboration of health and social care actors at community level with regard to the care provided to older people; 5) creation of prerequisites for multiplication of the model at national level (quality standard elaborated); 6) inclusion of telecare services in national level political strategies and action plans; 7) increased cooperation between Bulgarian and Norwegian partners in the area of health care and social services.
Summary of bilateral results
The exchange of experience and best practices with KS contributed to spreading the experience of Norway with regard to providing elderly care using welfare technology. Their achievements in this area was promoted throughout the entire project during the national and regional events held, in publicity materials and other visibility activities. National and/or municipal strategies and other policy acts applied in Norway were translated and presented to the Bulgarian public. The cooperation has lead to the establishments of broader connections between Bulgarian project partners and stakeholders with representatives of relevant institutions in Norway, municipal authorities and business companies.For the Bulgarian Red Cross, in its capacity of a Project Promoter, as well as for the Bulgarian project partners, it was an unique opportunity to use Norway''s experience for the pilot introduction of tele-assistance services in Bulgaria. The cooperation provided valuable information and advice in the overall process of planning and establishment of the service in Bulgaria, as well as on a later stage in terms of improving its functionality. As planned in the project, official Government representatives as well as other stakeholders from Bulgaria had the opportunity to get acquainted with the service provision in Norway which will facilitate the work dedicated to the elaboration of relevant regulations and standards.