Abstract
To report the experience of design and implementation of the Help2Care (an ehealth program that aims to support informal caregivers of dependent people); and to identify its structure and functionality. This is a Portuguese experience report about Help2Care, a practice-based action research project carried out between 2017 and 2019, having as a guiding axis Florence Nightingale's concepts about the relevance of the home-care environment. The Help2Care program revealed itself to be a valuable support tool for providing better healthcare learning, counselling, and assistance of the informal caregivers of dependent people. Different ehealth strategies were used to empower caregivers in self-care in order to have a safe transition between contexts of care at the time of patient discharge. Help2Care allows to inspire other ways of providing care, as well as a reduction in the readmission rate in health organizations for patients who reveal poor care support in home environments.
Highlights
Population ageing has become a major concern of increasing importance to developed and developing countries alike
The increase in the average life expectancy is accompanied by an increase in individuals suffering from postoperative and chronic conditions, neurological disorders, among others, which, in turn, indicate the need for continuous care outside a health organization
Informal caregivers are recognized in the Portuguese National Health Plan, public support services for the elderly and for dependent people are insufficient to meet the needs of this population(2)
Summary
Population ageing has become a major concern of increasing importance to developed and developing countries alike. Informal caregivers are recognized in the Portuguese National Health Plan, public support services for the elderly and for dependent people are insufficient to meet the needs of this population(2). There are several studies showing that the family members providing care to their relatives need to acquire abilities that enable them to be competent in their performance, and health care professionals have an indispensable role in their training(6). It is crucial to emphasize that informal caregivers are not health professionals; they need training and/or information to carry out their function correctly This information is only transmitted to them on the day of discharge of the patient, which is not enough to take due care, requiring continuous access to information and support from the health care professionals. Health professionals may use this information to provide better care plans, enhancing supportive measures and, leading to more successful care conditions” (p.2)(7)
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