The 'Home Support Caregivers' project has been reactivated by the Regional Government of Madeira, with the addition of 24 new operational assistants. The initiative aims to ensure a safe transition between hospital stays and the patient's return home.
On-site support will operate between 8 AM and 4 PM, combining the caregiver's direct action with the social worker's follow-up. The Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Freitas, highlighted the innovative nature of the measure and its importance in adapting public services to an aging population.
The new assistants, selected from a recruitment reserve, will now undergo a month of theoretical and practical training. The allocation of support follows specific eligibility criteria, focusing on home support needs and family support availability. The project also helps to delay institutionalization and free up hospital beds.
