21. 11. 2021
When the epidemic was declared last year, and with the growing number of COVID-19 infections and additional limitations to in-person contacts this year, Telekom Slovenije has noted a significant increase in demand for its E-oskrba (E-Care) service.
E-Care is a social security service that makes it possible for the elderly, the disabled and chronic patients to live a more independent and safe life in their home environment, as it provides a 24-hour connection with an assistance centre in the event a user needs help. As a growing number of people with a mild form of dementia and Parkinson's disease have also been opting for the E-Care service, Telekom Slovenije has decided to support the two organisations providing support and raising awareness of these diseases, Spominčica and Trepetlika. The primary goal of Spominčica is to provide professional and effective help to people with dementia, their families and guardians, while Trepetlika educates patients and their guardians about treating Parkinson's disease and provides information on how to ease the life of those afflicted.
"At first seniors were hesitant about using the E-Care service, as they are not yet aware of what modern technology is able to do and how it can help; however, over the past year this trend has been shifting. A growing number of seniors and their families have been opting for the service, as it eases their mind that should anything unexpected happen, help is at hand. Data shows that a lot of falls happen right at home, and after a fall or a sudden spell of nausea the elderly find it difficult to get to a phone to call for help or to hail their neighbour. After a fall in their home environment an elderly person has to wait for help on average for 18 hours, with about 600 people dying in Slovenia every year because help was not there in time," said Peter Pustatičnik, the head of E-Care and E-Health at Telekom Slovenije.
Users of the E-Care service can call the assistance centre by a simple push of a button on their emergency device, installed in their home, and if they cannot get to it or reach it, they can also make the call by pushing a button on their emergency bracelet. The bracelet also detects a fall and can automatically make a call to the assistance centre, where qualified professionals provide appropriate help.
The monthly subscription fee for the E-Care service for is EUR 21.40 for the first six months (then EUR 24), and includes a protected phone, a bracelet with the emergency button, and a SIM card with a direct connection to the assistance centre, available 24/7.
A growing number of European countries (co-)finance remote care for those above 65 years with public funding. In Slovenia an increasing number of municipalities have been opting to help their inhabitants this way. The current list of participating municipalities is available here.