Abstract
Background: Our research was a part of the Procareful project funded by the Interreg Central Europe Co-funded by European Union from 2023. In an aging society the elderly people have growing need for care at home and keeping them in the community. The development of hybrid care model has growing opportunity for these social groups in metropolitan area. This model combines technical and non-technical components. The technical part includes a web-based platform offering physical, social, and cognitive exercises. The non-technical part emphasizes a shift from reactive to proactive, personalized care, supported by training. The main objectives of this research were to assess the digital skills of elderly people and their carers who living in communities in capital area.
Approach: We basically used qualitative research methods to gain an in-depth overview of the experiences related to care services, and we developed the appropriate solutions together with the users. The target groups were split into two focus groups (appr. 20-25 people): elderly people 55+, informal carers, formal social carers, nurses, head of units and managers. We also conducted a questionnaire survey with the participation of interested social institution managers and decision-makers. In 2023 and 2024 Our research group following an international guideline conducted two focus group meetings firstly with members of day care centres in a big capital district in Budapest, Hungary and secondly with heads of day care units and residential homes of elderly. These meetings aimed at revealing digital skills and understanding of use of apps and devices serving care of elderly people. In the second phase of our research we developed a detailed dissemination and communication plan for the upcoming new apps and other digitalized services.
Results: The joint planning, focus group discussions and workshops shed light on important knowledge in relation to the development of the innovative hybrid home care model and the related solution. Based on this, the diversity of potential users must be taken into account to a large extent, as each of them has unique needs and different levels of digital skills. User-friendly solutions are key. Taking into account the needs of informal caregivers, providing clearer information about services and facilitating communication with professionals and other groups in a similar situation. The development of effective digital service solutions is essential in order to respect the time constraints of official caregivers. The expected results of dissemination were: share the model's principles, methodologies, and success stories, inform and educate about the model and its potential. Promote adoption and adaptation, encourage service providers, facilitate collaboration between stakeholders, support the adoption, and to create partnerships, empower caregivers by providing training and resources, enhance the skills and knowledge ot the target population.
Implications: We think that the developed focus group questions, additionally, the method how to combine the different group dynamics with scientific research methods would be useful for measuring and assessing similar topics relating to elderly people. Moreover, the developed dissemination and communication plan would be interested for the community and members of ICIC to use in other countries.