Elizabeth Hanson, Linnaeus University, Swedish Family Care Competence Centre
We address the Conference dimension on formal and informal long-term care (LTC) work within the context of the WELL CARE project. Various individual, social and structural factors have been identified that positively or negatively affect the mental well-being and resilience of LTC workers and informal carers. However, both groups have been mainly studied and addressed separately. WELL CARE treats the mental well-being of LTC workers and informal carers as interconnected. We analyse care partnerships from a multi-level approach, examining broader organisational and societal contexts that may significantly influence the dynamics of relationships. The project is conducted within five EU Member States, representing different welfare regimes, namely Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Sweden.
Papers:
Paper 1 (Elizabeth Hanson) provides the contextual backdrop for the symposium by giving the rationale for and an overview of the 48-month EU Horizon Europe funded WELL CARE project.
Paper 2 (Marco Socci) presents systematic review findings of scientific and grey literature of good practices of innovative solutions supporting LTC workers’ and informal carers’ resilience and mental well-being, including practices that may foster care partnerships. The “state of the art” in the field will be discussed, including
existing knowledge gaps and suggested ways forward.
Paper 3 (Ludo Glimmerveen) highlights a draft scientific paper that conceptualises care partnerships within the project. Also, a lay summary version which forms part of
a living Guide designed to help consortium partners and stakeholders to tailor, implement and evaluate good practices targeted at strengthening the mental well- being of both LTC workers and informal carers.
Paper 4 (Lennart Magnusson, Elin-Sofie Forsgärde) features Blended Learning Networks (BLNs) in the five countries for promoting the continuous involvement of LTC workers, informal carers and multi-stakeholders in the project. This includes cross- country findings from national BLN sessions in which care partnerships within formal and informal LTC were discussed.
Discussants:
Professor Shereen Hussein, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, external Ethics and Advisory Board member, WELL CARE project (confirmed).
Tadas Leončikas, Head of Unit, Employment, Eurofound, external Ethics and Advisory Board member, WELL CARE project (confirmed that either Tadas or project leader
for one of Eurofound’s ongoing care provision projects will act as a discussant).