Organisation: Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation.
Collaborating Organisation: Ramon Molinas Foundation.
Dates of implementation: 01/07/2020 – 30/06/2021.
Grow old at home, an initiative that cares for elderly people that are socio-economically vulnerable
The Ramon Molinas Foundation is collaborating with the Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation with the aim of improving the quality of life, autonomy and safety of elderly people that are socio-economically vulnerable, enabling them to live and grow old in their own homes. The initiative will also help to reduce the loneliness and social isolation suffered by many older adults through companionship and group participation programmes.
Grow old at home focuses on helping low-income elderly people that are suffering from loneliness or isolation in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. 89% of people taking part in the scheme are older than 74 years old, are socioeconomically vulnerable with no immediate family, live in insecure housing and have mobility issues.
More than 700 people are benefiting from the scheme, which has two key areas of work
Grow old at home, which plans to help more than 700 participants, has two key areas of work. Participants will be able to take part in companionship schemes and have access to the emotional support provided by the organisation’s professionals and volunteers. The programme also provides free care services in the home.
The Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation is made up of 600 volunteers who provide support in four ways: making regular visits to elderly people taking part in the scheme as part of a weekly companionship programme; accompanying them to the doctor or to run errands, taking them to group activities organised by the Foundation itself, and providing care and monitoring progress by telephone.
Grow old at home also provides domestic services like cleaning, preparing food, assistance with personal hygiene, purchasing supplies or completing small repairs at home. Lastly, the programme offers professional services such as psychological support, physiotherapy and chiropody. Services are based on individual needs, are free to access, and are agreed on together by the participants, professionals, and volunteers taking part in the programme.
The Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation, an organisation that provides care to elderly people
The mission of the Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation is to promote the wellbeing, social integration, and quality of life of elderly people and to protect their fundamental human rights. Created in 1996, the organisation accompanies elderly people in their process of ageing and self-care and works towards alleviating isolation and loneliness. The Avismón-Catalunya Private Foundation encourages volunteering, believing it to have the power to transform lives, particularly the social and community work lead by older volunteers.
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