Project Summary

Greece’s population is ageing faster than almost any other EU country. According to figures released by the United Nations, Greece ranked 6th in the world for the percentage of the population aged over 60 in 2015. In addition, the share of the total population that is aged 65 years or older in Greece is 21.3%, compared to the EU mean of 19.2% [2]. Community services for older people in rural and remote areas Rural and remote areas experience more pronounced population ageing than urban areas. Lower population density, poor transportation and more geographically dispersed populations make it more difficult and expensive to create and maintain a comprehensive service infrastructure as common in urban areas. According to the most recent data, Greece has one of the biggest shares of older residents in rural and remote areas in the EU. Compounded by the 2008-2016 economic crisis, rural populations in Greece experience poorer socio-economic conditions compared to residents of urban Greece and have less access to services and activities, potentially leaving older people in remote areas at risk of social exclusion, loneliness, reduced mobility and a lack of access to care services. The objectives of the project were:

• To map the current provision of long-term care services for older people in three remote municipalities in Greece including the provision of information, advice, support for family carers, home care, day care and residential care services,
• To ascertain the views of local stakeholders, including service providers, about the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of the services currently available and about gaps in service provision,
• To ascertain the views of older people and their families resident in the area about access to services, quality of services and gaps in service provision,
• In discussion with stakeholders, to develop suggestions for a new model of integrated services for older people in order to increase the accessibility and quality of services and develop a tool that will include a set of recommendations for potential service development.

Outputs

A report of the study. A tool that will include a set of recommendations for potential service development.

PUBLICATIONS & OTHER OUTPUTS

Output 1

A proposed tool for improving "Help at Home" intervention in remote areas of Greece. The tool includes a set of recommendations for potential service development (for the Help at Home intervention). The outcome was the result of a mixed method approached that included a scoping literature review, focus groups with key stakeholders in the three remote areas involved about the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of the services currently available and about gaps in service provision. In addition, the tool took into consideration the views of older people resident in the area about access to services, quality of services and gaps in service provision. Finally, the development of the tool was the main aim the advisory group, which included key stakeholders too.