The E-oskrba service for safe living at home is now available free of charge

prepared by the Ministry with the support of the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy. Slovenia obtained funding from the European Social Fund and REACT-EU resources, and as a result of this, the E-oskrba service will be available free of charge to 5,000 users until 30 September 2023. Telekom Slovenije will begin connecting the first eligible users in mid-April 2022.

​E-oskrba 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 24/7 connection with an assistance centre or healthcare staff and support assistance, if user needs help. E-oskrba is available free of charge to all who meet the following criteria:

if they are older than 65 and spend most of the day by themselves;
if chronic non-contagious comorbidities make them especially vulnerable to COVID-19;
if they have been recognised as disabled in accordance with the regulations for disability and pension insurance;
if they receive the assistance and attendance allowance in accordance with the regulations for disability and pension insurance;
if they are 18 or above and their neurological or neuromuscular conditions make them a threat for falling, or their cognitive impairment from dementia exposes them to various undesirable events in their environment.
Users of the E-Care service can call the assistance centre by a simple push of a button of the emergency phone, installed at their home, or by pushing a button on their bracelet that they always carry with them. Along with the bracelet the user also receives a mobile movement detector on a pendant that also has a special button for making the emergency call, and can also automatically detect a fall and activate the call to the assistance centre. The equipment is very simple to use. When ordering the service, the users receive the following items and devices free of charge:

emergency phone with an SOS button,
bracelet with an SOS button,
mobile movement detector on a pendant with an SOS button,
SIM card with a mobile plan that supports unlimited incoming and outgoing calls and data transfer for the E-oskrba service,
assistance centre services, which are available 24/7/365,
technical support, maintenance, servicing.
Telekom Slovenije will provide the installation of the equipment at the user's home free of charge, with a simple installation that does not require any drilling or installation work.

The objective of providing the E-oskrba service is to improve independence, safety and the quality of life of the elderly, the ill and disabled at their home.

Zvonko Černač, the Minister for development and European cohesive policy, emphasised the following: "The E-Care at home project sets up a system that will bring a higher level of safety and a higher quality of living in the home environment for people who need help because of their age or illness. The project is a part of broader effort for improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups, for a safer old age and a higher inclusion of individuals who need help. Care for the elderly is one of the core tasks of any responsible society, it is an ethical requirement, and as such also a clear reflection of social maturity. With this project Slovenia is recognising the opportunities that digitalisation brings and is stepping on a path towards a modern, accessible society that cares for fellow man. It is also a step towards implementing the Long-Term Care Act, which was finally adopted in December last year."

Dr. Alenka Forte, state secretary at the Ministry of Health, explained that "e-care services will contribute significantly towards a higher quality life and safety of the elderly. This will allow them to remain in their home environments for longer. We are especially satisfied that the "E-Care at Home" project is about to be launched soon, as it covers the whole of Slovenia and will make it possible to use services for a number of people."

"Modern technologies simplify life and make it possible to develop services that improve safety, the quality of life and care for health. With an ageing population, which is characteristic for all developed nations, the needs for long-term care of the elderly at their home are growing, and E-oskrba is a solution on this journey. I am glad that the Government and the relevant ministries listened to the proposal from the Strategic Council for Digitalisation and made sure that free care is available to the elderly who are living by themselves, the disabled and other individuals who need help to live independently at home. It is also important to follow the concept of fast implementation of tried and tested solutions, designed utilising advanced technological concepts. Telekom Slovenije feels an obligation to constructively participate in this by applying its know-how, experience, technological innovation and reliability. The objective is to make sure Slovenia can stand side-by-side with or even at the vanguard of digitally most developed countries," emphasised Dr. Mitja Štular, Management Board member of Telekom Slovenije.

"Compared to other developed European Union countries, Slovenia is lagging in care for elderly in their home environment, as they are far too often left to their own devices. We are glad that with the help of European funds the government has made it possible to provide e-care services free of charge, as such services are a standard part of the social care for the elderly in many developed countries, and this means that we too are finally making significant steps towards the safety of the elderly who live alone. At the Slovenian Federation of Pensioners' Organisations we know what the elderly need, and will inform them about the importance and options for taking advantage of E-oskrba; however, a comprehensive national campaign for informing about the service will also be required, and it is my wish that the Ministry of Health participate in it. I am also calling on all relevant institutions to already start thinking about providing funding for extending the option of using this free service until the implementation of the Long-Term Care Act," said Janez Sušnik, the president of the Slovenian Federation of Pensioners' Organisations.

All those interested for ordering the E-oskrba service free of charge can call the toll-free number 080 12 13, or send a message to eoskrba@telekom.si, and information is also available from the Slovenian Federation of Pensioners' Organisations.