Portugal’s Caregiver Pool pilot scheme has opened 117 places where people receiving care can stay temporarily, giving informal caregivers time to rest or attend to other needs, officials announced on Tuesday. The places are available through day centres, Centres for Activities and Inclusion Capacity (CACI), and home-support services.
The scheme began in January and is being run for one year across 18 municipalities, one in each district of mainland Portugal. Informal caregivers may use the services when they need to be away for health, work-related or other compelling reasons. Each absence is limited to seven consecutive hours, and each person receiving care may use the services for up to 56 hours per month.
Labour, Solidarity and Social Security Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho said the arrangement enables caregivers to leave home knowing that the person they care for will continue to receive support. She made the remarks at the “Caring in Partnership” meeting at the Social Security Institute in Lisbon, held on the Day of Rest for the Informal Caregiver.
There are currently 19,000 caregivers recognised by the Social Security Institute, Palma Ramalho told Lusa. Caregivers can check the online portal for the district where their municipality is participating to find available places. Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion Clara Marques Mendes said 108 of the 117 places had been available for around two months, and some may already have been used.
Marques Mendes said that, although caregivers’ right to rest is recognised in law, access had been difficult because of a shortage of places where the person receiving care could stay, such as residential facilities for older people.
The meeting also discussed SAD+Saúde, a home-support and medical-care pilot that began in May. The service is intended for people with dependency, disability or incapacity who cannot meet their basic needs or manage their health needs, temporarily or permanently. Marques Mendes said it had supported more than 150 people. Palma Ramalho said she expected the pilot’s assessment to be positive.
Sources: Observador.