The alarming system helps the elderly, disabled people and psychiatric patients who live alone and are in need because of medical or social reasons.
Problem addressed:
From the XXth century, the process of aging of european and american societies strated. Our country is also affected, the rate of citizens above 60 years has been growing since 1930, and is expected to continue to do so. Szombathely is no exeption from this tendency, the ageing index shows higher increase than the naitonal average. The number of elderly people who are in need of enhanced help is significant. Social workers often see, that with the help comming in the right time, the situation of a longer and more engaing caretaking could have been avoided.
How objectives are reached:
After the acquisition of the 160 up-to-date devices bought by the local authority, the protocoll for ensuring the safety of the service was clarified, collegues got to know the operation of the alerting device. Based on a survey of needs the up-to-date alerting devices were placed. For teaching the elderly the technical operation of the devices, several personal contacting and trial calls were initiated.
The main stakeholders are:
The main stakeholders are the operators of the system: so the local authority (Szombathely City with County Rights) and the service provider (Károly Pálos Social Service Centre and Child Welfare Service). The beneficiary target group are citizens above 65 years living alone, with a sick relative above 65 years; or severly disabled or psychiatric patiens living alone.
Resources needed
Annual cost of providing the service was94 878.14EUR(2019),form which HR expenses were58 371.52EUR, material costs were36 506.61EUR.10 978.43EUR of national funds were provided.The service is provided with6professional caretakers in Szombathely and in two neighbouring towns with social care takers.
Evidence of success
The demand for the service has been rising, which proves that the goal is reached. The feeling of security of the elderly has risen, they managed to learn the device, and are supported to stay in their own homes as long as possible. The number of emergency calls has been rising with sickness, hygienic need, dizziness and falling as most common reasons. Usual methods of helping are fulfilling the hygienic needs, calming the patient down, calling the ambulance or the GP.
Difficulties encountered
- In certain cases, overcoming technical problems took longer than expected,
- Traffic difficulties were an obstacle in arriving the place as soon as possible,
- Initial lack of confidence in providing the house keys to the caretaker
- Challenges in entering the house (keys left in the lock etc.)
Potential for learning or transfer
Understanding the operation of the alerting devices does not take a long time neither for the elderly and the relatives, nor for the professionals. The personalization of the monitoring devices needs longer time to experience, however, from diverse data, more efficient helping possibility is given to the service providers.
During the operation, diverse local authorities and collages from professional methodology were informed in the institution about the realization of efficient operation.
Based on our experience both the understanding and the usage of the operation of the system significantly contributed to reaching the previously determined goals. It helped the elderly in living alone in their homes safely for as long as possible, which led to a decrease in the need for institutional residential care, that has significantly high costs.
Tags: Ageing, Health, Monitoring, Safety, Society
