Back to the Projects Database

A new model of a home hospice in rural areas

Country: Poland

Wellbeing of Farmers:  Physical Wellbeing, Mental Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing

Key Challenges: Lack of basic services, Lack or difficulties in accessing health services, Lack of specialist mental healthcare services, Administrative burden

Key Target Groups: Female farmers, Older farmers

Farm Size: Small/Family, Medium

Find Out More

Organization: Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation

Relevant Links:

Website

Summary

The partnership programme “To Give What Is Really Needed” is an innovative model of professional home care for people who are dependent, terminally and chronically ill, also involving support for their caregivers in rural areas.

The innovation is about creating a network of resources in rural areas that would help on many levels – from neighborhood help and informal groups to public sector organizations and NGOs. A key element of this innovation is the creation of a new position called Dependent Care Coordinator, which acts as a link between the patients’ needs and the network activities.

During the three years of the project, the innovation we propose will be tested on a microscale in five municipalities of the Podlaskie Voivodeship by ROPS experts and will be supported by scientific research conducted by researchers from IRWiR PAN.

The aim of our project is also to use the tested innovation, supported by the research of the Partners, to shape the policy of the long-term care for the chronically and terminally ill in the region, country and Europe.

Objective

Providing care to the people who are dependent, terminally and chronically ill in rural areas; supporting their families and caregivers in their place of residence.

Activities 
  1. Adding carers to the hospice team
  2. Building a support network
  3. Dependent Care Coordinator
  4. Extending the list of illnesses entitling people to hospice care (National Health Fund – 7)
Main Outcome of the activity
  • services are provided to people suffering from diseases not listed on the National Health Fund
  • the access to healthcare has been improved
  • a support network continues to be built, the Dependent Care Coordinator (DCC) is working
  • expanded medical services are offered
  • certain social effects are observed such as building and maintaining the network of relationships between the local actors and institutions.
Main Practical Recommendations

This model of home care has not been applied anywhere apart from the area where the innovation has been implemented.

For the end-user (patient and his/her family), the main added benefit is the improved wellbeing, belief of being helped and supported as well as (for the patient’s family members) an opportunity to direct their efforts towards other (work and leisure) activities.

For the end-users considered as a community, the benefit is the wider coverage with the health-care services as well as the improved social wellbeing and social capital through engagement of various actors of the local community by creating the local help network.

Key Stakeholders Involved
  • Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists, carers.
  • Patients’ families.
  • Partners (social service, science, NGO):
    • Regional Social Policy Centre (ROPS) in Białystok,
    • Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
    • NGO Support Centre (OWOP) in Białystok
Most Innovative Aspects of the Solution
  1. Adding carers to the hospice team
  2. Building a support network
  3. Dependent Care Coordinator
  4. Extending the list of illnesses entitling people to hospice care (National Health Fund – 7)