Eurocarers
European association working for carers
AREION EMERGENCY CARE
Summary
AREÍON EMERGENCY CARE is a user equipment enabling two-way voice communication in case of emergency calls: it reaches old people and disabled persons as well, helping them living independently and their family indirectly, as it may lighten the carers’ burden.
The admission to the service can be alternatively based on the opinion of regional and municipal social departments; in many cases service is provided at their request.
The initiative receives resources from private sponsors and some funding from the government and the local authorities. However, users are requested to pay 60EUR for the installation and 16 EUR/months, SIM card from cell phone operator (with paid monthly fees) OR stationary telephone line.
The only device requested is either a landline telephone or a mobile phone.
There is no impact assessment of the service.
Description
refers to the target users, kind of service provided, ICTs typologies and devices used
The service main aim is reducing health and social risks in senior citizens and handicapped people.
AREÍON EMERGENCY CARE is an ICT service of a civil organisation. The organization was established to support seniors and disabled people living independently. AREION EMERGENCY CARE was established by the ŽIVOT 90 Civic Association in the early 90s, as part of a comprehensive solution of problems encountered by ageing people by Blanka and Jan Lorman .
It has 1700 devices in several regions in the Czech Republic and Areíon is cooperating with local governments and its' operation is sponsored by private companies and banks and it also receives some support from the state.
Care Recipients
Informal carers
Paid assistants
Formal carers
Not available
Independent Living
Information and learning for carers
Personal Support and Social Integration for carer
Care coordination
The service can provide help in:
• unexpected situations (injury, fall etc.)
• unforeseen critical situations (sudden deterioration of health etc.)
• emergency situations (assault or threat by another person)
• social consultancy
• social therapeutic work
• arranging contacts with social environment
• assistance in exercising rights, legitimate interests and procurement of personal matters.
Telephone or mobile phone.
Operational Information
refers to the type of funding, budget, sustainability and organisations involved
Not available
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Non-profit funding: charity, volunteers organisations, NGO.
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Other: Private companies and banks.
Not available
As the innovation is successful, it is going to be soon incorporated into the public eldercare service and this means a permanent funding from the public sphere, from the Ministry of Health insuring the stability of the system. Nevertheless, the association is not able to know the amount of resources provided by the Government.
The budget for setting up the initiative was around 500.000,00 € and that for implemnting it was additional 500.000,00 €.
Authorities
Private Care Sector
Health and Social Care Systems
Third Sector
Private Companies
Not available
Informal Carers
Health Professionals
Social Care Professionals
Privately-Hired Care Assistants (inc. Migrant Care Workers)
Volunteers
Social workers are the main service operators but the initiative is linked to many other organizations with their professionals: Czech Police, fire chief, rescue service, ambulance service, town police, general practitioner or attending physician, community care service, personal assistance and any social service indicated by the application.
Not available
1.700 users
The web site is the main promotion channel, but the Association promotes its activities through conferences as well. In 1999 ŽIVOT 90 organized European seniors' conference EURAG an in 2009 it holds a European Conference on the Care and Protection of Elderly People in Prague within the framework of Czech EU presidency.
ZIVOT 90 is well spread on the National territory thanks to its presence in many national and international project aiming at supporting old people and their carers.
Život 90 hosted the IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing (May 28 - 1 June 2012 in Prague)
Evaluation
refers to the impact of the service on end-users, care organisations and authorities
Not available
Not available
Not available
Strengths:
- The service works in the whole national territory: it is not, officially incorporated into the public eldercare service, but it is going to be in short time.
- The service merges public and private resources and, indirectly, makes easier the communication between the two spheres, because professionals from different organisations work together for managing each case concerning person requiring help.
Weaknesses:
- The system is based on telephone access but in rural settlements cheaper landlines are not built on.
- Users need additional training for the correct use of the technology, even if it is already demonstrated during the installation.
- The Association is not able to know in advance the amount of funding from the Ministry of Health and this negatively affects the activities plan.
Opportunities:
- Because of the success of the initiative, there is the opportunity to incorporate the service on to the national eldercare plan.
The initiative could be able to be developed on larger scale levels and to be transferred on to the national level, because high costs are not required for its implementation.
Furthermore, the system is already available in different regions: there is an interaction with organisations: the Czech Police, fire department rescue services, ambulance services, town police, community care services; other professionals: general practitioners or attending physicians, personal assistants; and informal carers: important others, family members, neighbours, etc. Because of its success it will be soon incorporated into the eldercare on national level.
Furthermore, the presence of the ZIVOT90 Association at European and international spheres guarantees the scalability and transferability of its action model.
The ŽIVOT 90 Civic Association has engaged in foreign activities and international cooperation with similar organizations focusing on senior citizens, defence of their rights, promotion of social inclusion and awareness around the older citizens situation in developing countries.
More Information
includes contacts, publications and accompanying documents
Publications:
The ZIVOT 90 Civic Association realized several publication described at http://eng.zivot90.cz/4-social-services/73-publications. For orders: poradna@zivot90.cz
Resources:
http://eng.zivot90.cz/4-social-services/10-areion-emergency-care
Association Address: Karolíny Světlé 18 110 00, Praha 1, Czech Republic
Director of Emergency Helpline:
Tel: 222 333 546
E-mail: ivana.cerna@zivot90.cz
Emergency Helpline Control Desk:
Tel: 00420 222 333 540 – 3
E-mail: areion@zivot90.cz
Operations Manager, Emergency Helpline:
Tel: 00420 222 333 540 – 3
E-mail: monika.vavrova@zivot90.cz
Social worker, Emergency Helpline Methodologist:
Tel: 00420 222 333 545
E-mail: lada.habrcetlova@zivot90.cz
fax: 00420 222 333 999