Project background

The project is driven by population ageing, the increasing prevalence of memory-related illnesses and the growing need for timely, personalised support among caregiver families in their daily lives. The experiences of many caregivers are not recognised, and support services are not always accessed early enough.

Project goals

The project aims to strengthen the well-being and resilience of informal caregivers, prevent the need for more intensive services and establish sustainable, cost-effective operating models that will become a permanent part of the region’s wellbeing services.

The project’s primary target group is informal caregiver families (where the care recipient is aged 65 or over) who are experiencing a burdensome situation or are at risk of increased strain. The secondary target group comprises local professionals, NGO representatives and students working with caregiver families and applying the models developed in the project.

Project activities

The support model under development consists of three components:

Identifying and supporting the family of the carer
The project creates a model that helps professionals recognise informal caregiving situations, address caregiver burden and direct families to suitable support services. The aim is to improve the flow of information, strengthen service guidance and ensure help is provided at an early stage. Clear tools, checklists and information packages are being developed to support professionals in this work.

Well-being-oriented home visits
The project establishes a model whereby informal caregiver families receive individual, multidisciplinary home visits. During these visits, the family’s situation is assessed, information and guidance are provided, and practical support and caregiver well-being initiatives are offered. The home visits are carried out in collaboration with students from various degree programmes at Laurea University of Applied Sciences, providing meaningful support for families and offering students the opportunity to learn in real client situations.

Family care as support for informal caregiving
The project develops and expands part-day and short-term family care to meet the diverse needs of caregiver families. The aim is to offer flexible opportunities for respite and provide support in sudden or highly demanding situations. Family care is also developed as an option for caregivers who do not have access to other forms of support or who do not make use of their statutory respite days.