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- Andréasson, Frida, et al.
(författare)
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The INNOVAGE-Eurocarers platform and current ICT-based services for informal carers of older people in Sweden
- 2015
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Ingår i: Irish Ageing Studies Review. - 1649-9972. ; 6:1, s. 88-88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Different support services for family carers are available in Sweden through information and communication technologies (ICTs) since late 1990s, like ACTION, My Joice, IPPI, ‘The Gap’, and Carer Sweden’s online ‘Carer’s Book’. The INNOVAGE-Eurocarers platform aimed to complement the offer of web services to carers through the provision of a new tailored package.Methods: The Swedish pilot test enrolled around 50 carers through contacts with professionals working with carers in different municipalities. They could access the following web-based services: information resources; individual support via e-mail and private messages; group support via social network and forum. Periodical writing activities were asked to active users in the forum, alternating expressive writing (EW) and time management (TM) writing tasks. Periodical reminders were sent in order to increase user involvement.Results: Users were predominantly older, female carers, of which two thirds were over 65 years old. The web platform was perceived as a flexible tool, potentially accessible at any time, which gave users the possibility to exploit their experience as carers with others in similar situations. This peer exchange seemed to improve self empowerment, sense of solidarity and mutual learning. However, usage of the web platform was limited due to the low level of digital skills of some carers.Conclusions: Although results confirmed usefulness and appropriateness of implemented web services, it is fundamental to address the issue of usability and accessibility in order to ensure a wider accessibility. An option might be to offer initial digital skill training and continuous technical support for computer novices.
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- Andréasson, Frida, et al.
(författare)
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The use of on-line social network and services by family carers with high digital skills : The case of the Swedish sample
- 2016
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS. The InformCare platform aimed to complement the offer of already available web services to carers through the provision of a new comprehensive package.METHODS. 36 family carers were enrolled in Sweden and used the platform during the intervention. They could access the following web-based services: information resources; individual support via e-mail and private messages; group support via social network and forum. Periodical writing activities were asked to active users in the forum, alternating expressive writing (EW) and time management (TM) writing tasks.FINDINGS. Users were predominantly older, female carers, who considered the web platform as a flexible tool, potentially accessible at anytime, which could empower users and improve their sense of solidarity and mutual learning.CONCLUSIONS. Although results confirmed usefulness and appropriateness of implemented web services, some carers experienced problems in accessing and navigation, which required continuous technical support by web developers.
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- Barbabella, Francesco, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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A multilingual web platform supporting informal carers in 27 EU member states
- 2015
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Ingår i: Broader, bigger, better: AAL solutions for Europe. Proceedings of the 6<sup>th</sup> AAL Forum 2014. - Bucharest : UEFISCDI. - 9789730201192 ; , s. 169-172
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Informal care is a hot topic in research and policy agendas at European and national level, since it greatly contributes to the sustainability and efficiency of national health care systems. A specific intervention – part of the wider INNOVAGE project funded by FP7 – was planned for developing and testing a new multilingual web platform for informal carers of dependent older people in the EU-27. Preliminary results of the pilot study, conducted in Italy, Germany and Sweden will be discussed. The final platform will be accessible in all official languages of the EU-27 and publicly available in spring 2015.
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- Barbabella, Francesco, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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How web-based services can support family carers of older people : New ways to promote social inclusion and quality of life
- 2015
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Ingår i: Irish Ageing Studies Review. - 1649-9972. ; 6:1, s. 87-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Family carers can be negatively influenced by their situation, in terms of stress, social isolation, economic constraints and other difficulties. Web-based services addressing carers’ needs represent an efficient support. The goal of the INNOVAGE work package 3(WP3) study was to develop and test a new multilingual web platform for supporting family carers of older people, to be implemented in 27 European countries.Methods: A review of good practices and a consultation with stakeholders were conducted for identifying most appropriate types of services to be developed and tested. The prototype of web platform included information resources and interactive services for both peer and professional support. A convenient, overall sample of around 130 family carers was enrolled in three countries (Italy, Germany and Sweden) and could access services for 12-17 weeks. Data were collected through questionnaires and focus groups concerning impact onquality of life, social support, self-perception of carer’s role, as well as usability, usefulness and appropriateness of services.Results: Active users were generally satisfied with support (information, advice, counselling) provided by moderators (social workers or psychologists) and peers. Usability and appropriateness were confirmed, although some refinements were suggested and users with low digital skills often needed technical support. A portion of the sample remained inactive even if stimulation strategies were adopted.Conclusions: The pilot study confirmed the INNOVAGE Eurocarers web platform is a useful tool for family carers. Some challenges still exist for implementation in relation to digital skills required and users’ preferences on services at country level.
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- Barbabella, Francesco, et al.
(författare)
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The effectiveness of a web-based psycho-social intervention for family carers of older people : a multicentre pilot study
- 2016
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- AIMS. The goal of this study was to develop and test a new multilingual web platform for supporting family carers of older people by means of on-line information resources and peer and professional support.METHODS. A convenient sample of family carers was enrolled in three countries (Italy, Germany and Sweden) and could access services for 3 months. 94 family carers used the web platform. Data were collected through questionnaires and focus groups.FINDINGS. Active users were generally satisfied with support (information, advice, counselling) provided by moderators (social workers or psychologists) and peers. Usability and appropriateness were confirmed, although some refinements were suggested and users with low digital skills often needed technical support.CONCLUSIONS. The pilot study confirmed web-based support services can be a useful tool for family carers. Some challenges still exist for implementation in relation to digital skills required and users’ preferences on services at country level.
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- Poli, Arianna, et al.
(författare)
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Promoting self-empowerment and recognition of carers’ role : Piloting the INNOVAGE-Eurocarers platform in the Italian context
- 2015
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Ingår i: Irish Ageing Studies Review. - 1649-9972. ; 6:1, s. 88-88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Caring for a dependent elderly can negatively affect family carer’s psychological and physical health, as well as social, professional and personal life. In the Italian context, there are very few web-based servicestargeting these users.Methods: A sample of around 60 carers of older people affected by dementia was involved. Users could access the following services: information resources; e-learning resources; individual support via private messages, chat and video-chat; group support via social network and forum. A psychologist was engaged as moderator of interactive services. Other two psychologists from an Alzheimer Day Centre were available via video chat and forum for individual support. In order to improve participation, two SMSs per week were sent to all carers as reminders and stimulation to use web services.Results: Overall, users’ accesses concentrated on information resources area, social network and forum, which were really appreciated and felt as a useful “protected environment”. Around 15 users accessed the web platform at least once every two weeks, whereas 7carers never accessed the platform and very limited dropouts from the study occurred. Stimulation strategy by SMSs was successful to retain and involve users. Low digital skills and poor experience with on-line services represented a main barrier for usage.Conclusions: The new developed platform and its services can address needs of Italian family carers and improve critical dimensions of quality of life. The possibility to get trustful information and dedicated support in contexts where there is a lack of formal services was considered extremely important by users.
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| 9. |
- Salzmann, Benjamin, et al.
(författare)
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Testing the INNOVAGE-Eurocarers web platform among German carers : Challenges and potentials
- 2015
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Ingår i: Irish Ageing Studies Review. - 1649-9972. ; 6:1, s. 88-88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The role of family carers is increasing importance all over Europe as they contribute progressively more on to the sustainability and efficiency of national health systems. In Germany, web-based support services for carers are still unconventional.Methods: Around 20 carers of older people were recruited adopting convenience and snowballing approaches. They received the following services: information resources; individual support via e-mail and private messages; group support via social network. Additionally, two sub-groups of 3 people each attended a series of weekly sessions of group support via video-conferencing. Periodical reminders to carers were sent for improving participationto the community.Results: The web platform was well accepted by users. Carers reported they benefitted a lot from the exchange with other carers which was made possible by interactive services offered. Some users felt empowered because they became able to reflect on their own situation, they could receive helpful advice from peers and the moderator, and they could recognise themselves experience to be shared with other people in need. Weekly video-conferencing group sessions were perceived as very helpful and provided a short break fromcaring.Conclusions: Web-based support services seem to havea great potential in the German context. However, difficulties in recruiting carers indicates a probable widespread scepticism towards web-based initiatives addressing carers. Low digital skills in older carers isanother main barrier which should be taken into account.
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