As part of the project, a handbook has been published for both home care of mobile teams and municipal social service staff to improve municipal social care services for the elderly. Through the transfer of knowledge from mobile brigade staff, it will also serve everyone in the community to develop self-help skills and engage family members, friends, neighbors or volunteers in the care process of seniors, to bring the elderly together for a comfortable aging. The methodological manual is also available in e-version and will be published on the website of each partner involved in the project for general access.

The handbook collects and documents project experience and project training information that mobile team members need to provide high-quality care at home for the elderly, as well as a methodological aid in difficult situations with a client or to protect themselves from burnout syndrome. This information and knowledge can also be used to develop self-care skills, especially to provide seniors with the basic needs that their peers or volunteers can provide.

The guide offers a theoretical insight into topics related to elderly care, as well as methods and practical advice for every caregiver. It includes information on topics such as (1) the concept of home care for mobile teams and key principles of collaboration for elderly care, (2) portrait of the elderly, incl. information on the aging process and changes in physical and emotional health, (3) care of the elderly, incl. sleeping, palliative and dying care, (4) self-help activities that older people can be provided by their peers – family members, friends, neighbors, (5) caregiver practical tips, incl. work ethics and communication with the carer. In conclusion, the handbook offers three practical tests – a consciousness assessment for the caregiver, a self-assessment questionnaire and a test for determining the level of burnout syndrome in the caregiver – which can be used by any caregiver.

 

L.Upeniece
Project coordinator