Project for relatives of dementia patients
13.11.2014 12:07
Sanvartis GmbH, a provider of communication services for the healthcare sector, is presenting its new pilot project, proGERO. The project includes a service for family members caring for dementia patients at home.
A key component of the proGERO pilot project is telephone support for family caregivers from a personal health advisor, who can also be reached via a service hotline for questions or problems. If necessary, the health advisor will contact the patient's treating physician to discuss medication and any potential abnormalities or risks.
At the start of the program, a care advisor conducts a dementia assessment during an on-site visit. Based on this assessment, an action plan is developed to stabilize and optimize the home care situation. Additionally, telephone-based social counseling is provided throughout the program to answer questions about social benefits and to identify opportunities for financial support through statutory benefits.
The project, conducted jointly with pronova BKK and long-term care insurance funds, will be presented for the first time at the international health trade fair MEDICA. "Family members caring for people with dementia are subjected to psychological, physical, and social strain," explains Linus Drop, Managing Director of Sanvartis GmbH. "If they cannot cope with the burden, a care deficit can arise, which can trigger a progression of the disease in the family member with dementia."„
Sanvartis is addressing this issue with proGERO, whose central goals are to strengthen self-help potential and promote independence by involving family members. "The cooperative collaboration between pronova BKK and the long-term care insurance fund enables comprehensive support for questions and difficulties related to the home care of dementia patients," says Volker Latz, Head of Health at pronova BKK, regarding the program.
The support program typically runs for twelve months. Since the project's launch in November 2012, 382 family members of dementia patients receiving home care have participated in proGERO. "The feedback has been consistently positive," reports Drop. "The conversations with an independent person are perceived as a relief. Therefore, many participants express a desire for proGERO to continue indefinitely in order to maintain the often-missed emotional support." The project agreement allows all health insurance companies the opportunity to join the project under the same conditions.