The recent focus groups held in Greece, Spain and the UK gave both paid carers and informal carers (those caring for relatives and friends) opportunities to share their caring experiences and discuss their current and possible future use of technologies to support their caring roles.
Recently published census data has revealed that between 2001 and 2011 the number of (...)
The DISCOVER Project will support carers in developing their IT skills – whether through use of a computer, tablet or smart phone. This will mean that carers will both be able to access information about services and support in their areas (from both statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations); and they will be able to network with other carers, locally or at a distance – many of whom will share their concerns and challenges.
The first partner meeting of the DISCOVER project took place successfully 10-11th October in Thessaloniki. The meeting, which was attended by representatives from all partner organisations (in the Netherlands, Greece, the UK, Spain and Ireland), made excellent progress regarding user engagement, test-bed preparation and ideas for content development.
Over the last few months of researching here at DISCOVER HQ, we have been struck by two important and frustratingly reoccurring themes: the existence of ‘need’ and its relationship with ‘demand’.
Caring for a loved one is difficult at the best of times, but reduced services, economic insecurity and an ageing population have made life tougher for those who provide unpaid care for a relative or friend. Ireland, like other EU countries has an increasing number of people providing regular unpaid care.
CASALA is continuing to connect with carers, carer organisations and policy makers throughout Ireland to raise awareness of the DISCOVER project and how it can support family carers through digital technologies, providing information, education and support to carers, enhancing their preparedness for caring and reducing their feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Mary is 52 years old. She was a secretary in a local school but has recently given up full-time work so that she can care for her father who had a stroke.
It is often difficult to really give outside readers an idea about what DISCOVER tries to achieve. Therefore I have jumped to 5 years from now to Birmingham. I have tried to imagine how it will be if Birmingham would implement the results we are trying to achieve in The Netherlands during the Discover project:
