84 volunteers trained in the field of homecare with EU support
In the framework of the EU-funded project “Improvement of medico-social care services for people with long-term care needs on both sides of the Dniester River” under the General EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, the German Development Cooperation through GIZ implemented a 5-days “Training of Trainers” (hereinafter – ToT) course in the field of Homecare – home-based primary medico-social services for people with long-term care needs. 84 volunteers (representatives of CSOs, unemployed, former social workers, individuals and domestic caregivers) from 7 districts of the transnistrian region participated to this course.
Though practiced on the right riverside since 2006, the homecare know-how represents a novelty practice on the left riverbank. The transfer of gained experience over the years, has been duly ensured by health professionals and practitioners from Chisinau and Balti mobilised by the Association HOMECARE from Chisinau. The logistical and organisational support was proficiently provided by the NGO “Association of Health and Sports” from Tiraspol. Thus, a long-term efficient cooperation between CSOs on both riversides has been practically achieved in the health area.
The ToT curricula, including for domestic caregivers were elaborated and approved on both riversides by competent authorities. A Handbook on Homecare has been developed and duly used in trainings and disseminated to domestic caregivers. The Handbook ensures harmonization of local policies with EU trends in the development of health and social care systems. Representing a novelty on both riversides, the Handbook is used as a ‘pillow’ guide for trainers and domestic caregivers, enjoying an increasing demand, including among profile professionals.
Upon completion of the ToT course, the local trainers commenced a training campaign of domestic caregivers and provision of homecare services under the initial ad-hoc assistance and supervision of 9 highly qualified medical staff mobilised for this purpose. By now, 240 domestic caregivers were trained and approx. 400 target patients are regularly served by volunteers, thus initiating volunteering in health and social sectors on the left side of Dniester River.
Note: Homecare – combined primary medico-social services, provided at home and within a specialized facility (Day Care Centre) by professional social and medical staff and trained nonprofessional caregivers, focused on specific category of patients with long-term care needs: bed-ridden, with chronic disabilities and/or diseases, who should not necessarily be hospitalized to receive specialized services, including socially vulnerable people and lonely elderly, etc.
Such service mechanism represents a solution to cover the increasing needs for long-term care at relatively low costs, as well as ensures a dignified life for such patients by observing their independence within the domestic environment and community entourage to the largest possible extent.
