THE COMMUNITY THAT TAKES CARE OF YOU
With the REACtion project, we want to let the elderly live their old age in health, and in their own homes. The project model involves a system of healthcare and home assistance that, through the use of digital technology, integrates community support, a local network of social and health services, and the Family and Community Health Nurse (IFEC).
The project
Thanks to medical and technological progress, today we live longer and healthier lives than we did in the past. This is good news, but there is another side to the coin. As lifespan increases, so does the number of older persons and, therefore, the number of people living in a condition of aging-related frailty.
Advanced age can be associated with vulnerability, loss of self-sufficiency, and chronic, disabling conditions that require constant care and assistance. This care is usually only offered by a hospital or nursing home. The older person is, therefore, forced to travel to reach the facility and, in some cases, to permanently leave their beloved home.
When an older person is able to remain independent and continue living at home, another problem can arise – the thinning of social and family relationships. The depopulation of rural villages and suburbs distance older persons from their loved ones, reduce the number of their activities and interactions, and render them increasingly alone.
The purpose of the REACtion project is to help the frail older person living in a small town or mountain community remain healthy, in their own home, and independent but not alone. This is possible thanks to the important role of the Family and Community Health Nurse (IFeC) as well as the support of all the people who live around them.
We want to foster the wellbeing and social inclusion of the elderly, also through the use of digital technology at home. We want to help family members and caregivers with the task of healthcare assistance, adequately train the IFeC on the local needs, and involve citizens in initiatives to promote health.
Persons involved
Those involved include persons over 65 years old and the people who provide their care and assistance (caregivers). Also involved are Family and Community Health Nurses (IFeC) operating in the Municipalities of the “Casa della Salute” in Santhià and the Southern and Urban Districts of Novara, on the Italian side, and those operating in the Locarno and Vallemaggia Districts, on the Swiss side.
REACtion therefore operates in a border territory, where common demographic characteristics and needs have emerged on both sides.
The partners
REACtion is a cross-border cooperation, operating as a partnership, financed by the 2014-2020 Italy-Switzerland Program of Cooperation.
The partners on the Italian side are the University of Eastern Piedmont, the Local Health Authority (ASL) of Vercelli, the ASL of Novara, and the University of Turin. The partner on the Swiss side is the Association for Home Care and Assistance of Locarna and Valmaggia (ALVAD).
Frequent Questions (FAQ)
How does an older person located in the involved areas take part in the project?
Through the Family and Community Health Nurse, a “Community Tutor”, Nursing homes, Spitex home care services, Italian home care services (SAD), home care services of Canton Ticino (SACD).
Videos
Events
We organize events, seminars, workshops, work tables and other moments of sharing and discussion, to inform and involve all the recipients and partners of the project
WHERE WE ARE
- PROJECT PREPARATION 100%
- COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT 40%
- COMMUNICATION 40%
- CONTEXT ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIES DEFINITION 100%
- EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTIONS 10%
Contacts
To get in touch with the project leaders, you can send an email to reaction.project@uniupo.it
Operation co-financed by the European Union, European Regional Development Fund, Italian government, Swiss Confederation, and Intterg V-A Italy-Swizerland Co-operation Programme