Working together for the elderly care of tomorrow

Aging elderly care

The (double) aging population creates major challenges for society in the 21st century. The needs of the elderly, their loved ones and caregivers in elderly care are great and they are getting bigger. Possible answers and solutions remain unknown or inadequate.

Exchange experiences and opportunities with elderly care

But there are many opportunities in elderly care. In addition, many care providers already use their expertise and enthusiasm every day to offer the elderly the best possible care and guidance. By closely feeling and mapping out the experiences of care providers, the elderly and their loved ones, we can use practice-oriented scientific research to find solutions for innovative and sustainable care for the elderly.

Inspired by the concept of an academic workplace we are building bridges between the research and development center (OOC) Health & Care of Artevelde University College and organizations that are committed to care for the elderly in the Ghent region (hospitals, residential care centers, ...). This connection offers opportunities to collaborate on research and development projects that aim to:

• optimal health;
• satisfaction and quality of life of the elderly;
• professionalise and support (future) care providers in their professional practice.

We strive for:

• perpetuate a sustainable, inspiring and collaborative network between the OOC Health & Care of Artevelde University College and organizations that are committed to care for the elderly in the Ghent region;
• to map the current experiences of caregivers, the elderly and their relatives and possible opportunities for research and development in elderly care.

Elderly care from different perspectives

1. Healthcare providers

Based on a bottom-up approach, the experiences of care providers are central. This project does not only take place for healthcare providers, but also takes place together with them.
Care providers help to identify the needs of the elderly and their loved ones. These needs form the start of a focus group with the healthcare providers, to determine priorities for research and development.

2. The elderly and their loved ones

Based on an in-depth interview, the findings of the elderly and their loved ones are questioned in a narrative manner.

3. Multidisciplinary and organization-wide

Various disciplines from elderly care are involved in this project: care and nurses, creative therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, housing and living supervisors, ...
The network of care organizations not only involves residential care centers, but also psychiatric care institutions and care programs for geriatric patients of general hospitals.

4. Positive, appreciative approach

The approach starts from what is already okay in elderly care and wants to build on the existing strengths. Based on the conviction that “we are on the right track”, we strive for successful, sustainable cooperation and the development of interventions for elderly care that are facilitated on the basis of support.

Timetable

1. Mapping the needs and requirements of the elderly and their loved ones by means of in-depth interviews (October - February '23)

2. Mapping the experience and experience of care providers by means of a focus group (March - April '23)

3. Prioritising challenges for future research and how to approach them (May - June '23)

4. Toolkit development (June - August '23)