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Blended Intensive Programme 2024

Access to Integrated Home Care for Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Search for Innovative Solutions

The Blended Intensive Programme titled Access to Integrated Home Care for Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Search for Innovative Solutions was successfully held from 14 to 18 October 2024 at the University of Novo mesto. The event brought together 25 students from Finland, Poland, Croatia and Slovenia, offering them a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and intercultural perspectives in the field of elderly care.

Day 1: After the opening address by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Karmen Erjavec, students formed interdisciplinary groups focused on developing innovative solutions to improve home care for older adults. The morning programme featured a lecture by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vesna Zupančič on the fundamental principles of integrated care, followed by a lecture by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ljiljana Leskovic and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevenka Kregar Velikonja on nursing care for older adults, particularly the management of chronic diseases. In the afternoon, participants took part in a workshop where they began exploring key challenges and possible solutions in elderly home care.

Day 2: The second day was dedicated to assistive technologies and physiotherapy for older adults. Experts from various fields presented supportive technologies and adapted exercises for home-based care, enabling participants to gain practical insights into the use of physiotherapeutic equipment.

Day 3: This day focused on the economic and social aspects of integrated care. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malči Grivec presented the economic dimensions of integrated care, while Carmen Rajer discussed the role of social care, highlighting the importance of social services and support systems for ensuring quality of life for older adults living at home.

After the lectures, students went on a guided tour of the capital city, Ljubljana, where they visited cultural and historical landmarks such as Ljubljana Castle and the Triple Bridge. The excursion helped students better understand Slovenian culture and everyday life as they admired the city's beauty and the hospitality of its residents.

Day 4: The fourth day focused on communication skills and project work. Lecturer Tanja Gavrilov emphasised the importance of effective communication when working with older adults, while Prof. Dr. Karmen Erjavec led a workshop on project work. Student groups prepared project reports, which they presented the following day at the closing ceremony.

Day 5: The final day of the programme featured presentations of the solutions students developed through a case study. They addressed the challenges faced by older patients after discharge into home care and shared their findings at the official closing event. The preliminary results will be further elaborated and presented at the UNM FZV International Scientific Conference "Holistic Patient Care."

The programme was very well received and created an excellent environment for interdisciplinary collaboration, significantly contributing to the search for solutions aimed at improving the quality of home care for older adults.