The government is set to launch a pilot project for integrated home support, which combines “social support and healthcare,” announced the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, following the presentation of the “Senior Home Hospital” project by Leiria’s Local Health Unit.
The minister noted that the initiative is being prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, although no date has been set for its launch, nor has a specific region been chosen to start the project.
“Our elderly often do not need to be in a residential care structure for the elderly, and certainly, many times when they visit emergency services, such visits could be unnecessary,” she observed.
While not characterizing elderly residential care structures as a “last resort, because people are often happy there,” the minister emphasized that there will never be enough facilities to meet demand. “Many people would prefer, health permitting, to stay in their homes, in their environment, close to or with their family. How can this be achieved? By supporting these people in their environment,” she stated.
Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho explained that elderly individuals are often aided by private social solidarity institutions, but not in an integrated manner with medical and nursing services.
“Many elderly individuals have associated comorbidities or some degree of dependency that does not justify placing them in an institution but does require more targeted attention to their situation,” she added.
This model “allows, on one hand, to delay the elderly’s move to an institution or make it unnecessary, and on the other hand, to monitor those who have been in healthcare institutions, often referred to as social beds, who should no longer be there but face discharge issues due to no support being available once they return home.”
The minister described it as an “innovative project,” combining “medicine with home social support, allowing individuals to remain in their environment while receiving care for their needs.”
Additionally, “it positively impacts by alleviating congestion in emergency services and hospital beds.”
