More information about the project>>
The project is implemented in the framework of the Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups, with the support of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021.
Duration: 4 years (2019-2023)
Partners: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
Total budget: EUR 3 333 333
Own financial contribution: 10 % distributed equally among the Bulgarian project partners
The goal of the project is to establish an innovative model of distant chronic disease management – teleassistance/telecare, based on the use of modern information and communication technologies /ICT/ in Vratsa, Vidin and Montana regions. This will improve the access of vulnerable lonely people with chronic diseases and permanent disabilities to professional medico-social support including beneficiaries in remote and rural areas. The new service will build on the activities of the Home Care Centers providing home-based medico-social services in Vratsa region which are envisaged to be expanded in the course of the present project by the establishment of three new HC Centers in the municipalities of Vidin, Belogradchik and Montana.
The piloting of the teleassistance/telecare service in Bulgaria aims to reach the most vulnerable members of our society and thus, tailored to their needs, to allow them feel secure and stay in their own homes as long as possible. The system will provide continuous, automatic and remote monitoring of real-time emergencies and lifestyle changes with the objective to manage risks imposed by the elderly's independent way of living and other factors such as poor health, lack of adequate medical care and social services in some settlements, etc. Thus prevention will be made with regard to entering social institutions and/or frequent hospitalizations of beneficiaries for social reasons.
The development of the teleassistance/telecare system will be done jointly with the project partners and drawing on Norway's experience in this field. The main activities in this area include the establishment of a call center in the city of Vratsa, gradual approbation of the new service in the regions of Vratsa, Vidin and Montana, as well as elaboration of draft legislative changes in terms of expansion and permanent provision of this type of services after the project end.
Potential beneficiaries of the project include people aged 50+ with chronic diseases and disabilities, including Roma and representatives of other ethnic communities in the regions of Vratsa, Vidin and Montana. The project also aims to develop effective models of social inclusion and integration of people with low education, of long-term unemployed persons by providing vocational training and creating employment opportunities in the field of health and social services.
The project will also create teams of volunteers to support the activities of the Home Care Centers and the teleassistance/telecare services, which foresees the development of appropriate training programs and a communication and coordination system.