Demographic aging is among the most serious challenges Europe is facing. The demographic projections indicate that by 2060 30% of the European population (155 million) will be aged 65 or older – while today it is 19%.
(Source: Relationship-Based Home Care: A Sustainable Solution for Europe’s Elder Care Crisis; 2018 Global Coalition on Aging).
The scale of this phenomenon and the emerging limitations in the availability of institutional care for the elderly result in the need for a development of informal care services. The most effective method of caring for an elderly person is the one provided in the place of residence, i.e. in its natural environment. This is the care provided by so-called informal caregivers (or natural caregivers or family caregivers), i.e family members, neighbours, friends and relatives of an elderly person and lasts as long as possible, primarily for health reasons of the elderly.
Taking care of an elderly person who – due to old age or illness – needs regular assistance in their natural environment, i.e. at home, is the most effective method that provides emotional support and dignity in in everyday life of the elderly.
Caregivers are the mostly people who are not qualified medical carers. They derive knowledge and skills in caring for the elderly from their own intuition or information provided during visits of doctors or medical staff or other sources.
