VIRTU
Virtual Elderly Care Services on the Baltic Islands
- Thematic cluster:
- Wellbeing
- Programme:
- Archipelago and Islands Sub-programme
- Priority:
- 3. Attractive and dynamic societies
- Direction of support:
- Social and democraphic issues, especially young people
- Duration:
- May 2010 - Aug 2013 (3 years, 4 months)
- Total funding:
- 2 185 370 €
- ERDF funding:
- 1 661 080 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Improving and promoting people’s health, including its social aspects
- Website:
- http://www.virtuproject.fi/
Development idea
The archipelago areas of Finland, Åland and Estonia are facing many challenges on a social, political and economic level. The social and health care sector is strongly influenced by demographic changes, struggling with the challenge of ensuring equal services for rural and urban areas with limited budgetary conditions. The ageing population, long distances and the possible lack of qualified labour are common challenges in the area.
Aim of the project
The project VIRTU aimed to improve the standard of living of elderly people by supporting healthy, safe and socially rich living at home instead of institutionalisation.
Main project activities
Based on virtual technologies, VIRTU has created a new service model which will benefit senior citizens, their relatives, municipalities and health and social care professionals in the archipelago. The project provides virtual services to elderly people in close cooperation with the participating municipalities. By researching the content of the service model and the usability and adaptability of the virtual services as well as the experiences of seniors and employees, the project was able to determine the cost-effectiveness and productivity of the services.
Partners
Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd.
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 541 052 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 180 351 €
The city of Naantali
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 86 677 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 28 891 €
Saaremaa Development Foundation
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lääne-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 80 451 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 14 197 €
Novia University of Applied Sciences
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 258 838 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 86 280 €
Municipality of Sipoo
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Itä-Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 91 341 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 30 447 €
Municipality of Saltvik
- Country:
- Åland
- Region:
- Åland
- ERDF funding:
- 0 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 0 €
Municipality of Eckerö
- Country:
- Åland
- Region:
- Åland
- ERDF funding:
- 53 921 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 17 974 €
Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 199 062 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 66 356 €
Kuressaare regional Social Welfare Center
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lääne-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 86 670 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 15 296 €
Foundation Tuuru
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lääne-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 20 400 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 3 600 €
Åland University of Applied Sciences
- Country:
- Åland
- Region:
- Åland
- ERDF funding:
- 242 673 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 80 892 €
Results
Report "Active ageing online - interactive distance servicesfor the elderly on Baltic islands"
The report presents a virtual service model of the interactive distance services for the elderly on the Baltic Islands.
The publication examines the learning processes and practical experiences connected with the implementation of interactive distance services. Publication explores a new service model in elderly care including distance services for elderly, the cost-effectiveness etc. It also covers topics as supporting elderly coping at home, development of new working methods for home care and students learning in Virtu project.
Video about the project Virtu and participant experiences
The video includes examples of technical solutions used in the project work with the elderly as well as experiences of participants.
In Finnish, subtitled into English: http://vimeo.com/57047045
In Finnish: http://vimeo.com/57047046
In Swedish: http://vimeo.com/57047044
