The decision to move people in need of care from their shared home to a new, unfamiliar environment is challenging for everyone involved. Relatives often have only limited insight into the care, medication, daily routines and the physical, mental and emotional changes in the person they are caring for. Nevertheless, they have to make decisions that require in-depth knowledge of the current condition and personal attitude of the person in need of care. This is where telecare comes in, in order to better involve relatives despite physical distance, create more transparency and facilitate their participation in inpatient facilities.
Since July 2024 – the project started in May – Nele Stock has been working on the “ErnTeBayLa-S” research project, which is testing telecare in a rural region of Bavaria. Telecare means that care staff and other stakeholders communicate with each other digitally and discuss care-related data. The nursing staff decide when video communication is necessary and initiate it.
What exactly is the project about? And what does the abbreviation ErnTeBayLa-S mean?
“The “ErnTeBayLa-S” project is a trial of telecare in a rural region of Bavaria. It tests how relatives can be better integrated into the lives of residents despite physical distance with the help of telecare at the St. Elisabeth Home run by Caritas Kronach. Innovative communication channels create more transparency and trust, strengthen the involvement of relatives and relieve the burden on care staff.”
Who are the partners in the project?
“The partners are Caritas Kronach e.V., Awesome Technologies GmbH and Hof University of Applied Sciences.”
What is the aim of the project?
“The aim is to test and develop new processes to better integrate relatives into the lives of residents in inpatient facilities despite physical distance with the help of certified video consultations and asynchronous messenger communication. These processes are to be developed to practical maturity by the end of the project.”
Is this embedded in a larger context?
“Yes, the project is part of the pilot program for testing telecare in accordance with Section 125a SGB XI. It is being scientifically monitored and evaluated in order to gain insights and best practices for the nationwide implementation of telecare in Germany.”
regions in Bavaria; Image: private ;
What are the key challenges?
“The sustainable integration of technology requires training for care staff, relatives and those involved. Despite scarce resources, time and opportunities must be created to promote skills. Strict data protection guidelines must be adhered to and individual wishes must be taken into account for successful process adaptation.”
What are the long-term benefits for residents and relatives on the one hand and for care staff and doctors on the other?
“Residents can maintain closer contact and greater proximity to their relatives despite physical distance. This strengthens their psychological well-being, promotes trust and supports greater autonomy in care and medical decisions.
Relatives have more insight into the lives of their loved ones, which provides greater transparency and involvement in care processes, creating trust and facilitating decision-making processes.”
Nele Stock
Carers experience less pressure of responsibility due to the efficient involvement of relatives, so that mental and physical resources are spared.”
