The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences provides free counselling to people who take care of their loved ones at home

The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences provides free counselling to people who take care of their loved ones at home

An expert team from the FHSS USB in České Budějovice is providing a wide range of counselling services to people who take care of their loved ones at home. The self-help group – "We take care of our loved ones" - was established with the aim of sharing experiences, providing support, and helping lay carers in difficult life situations. Those who are interested receive useful information free of charge. This information includes how to take good care of their loved ones and also themselves. The service is currently available online and later there will be regular meetings in Č. Budějovice. The range of services applies to home carers of adults with reduced self-care (seniors 65+, people with dementia, stroke, etc.) and to parents of children with disabilities.

The main researcher of the project, doc. Iva Brabcová from the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Urgent Care of FHSS USB, says: “The aim is to share experiences, support, and to help lay carers in difficult life situations. The self-help group is a place where family carers can get a lot of information about how they can take good care of their loved ones – and also themselves. They can also find answers to their specific questions here.” The advantage of this faculty is that it brings together experts in health and social issues with a lot of experience with teaching and field practice. 

This project of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, which will last until 2023, offers psychosocial support and assistance to informal caregivers in the South Bohemian Region through a multidisciplinary approach using professional counselling (social law, care for a neighbour, burnout prevention, healthy lifestyle), audio-visual means, and a verified virtual reality environment.

Carers can use the following services free of charge: psychosocial support from a psychologist; practice of relaxation techniques; social and legal counselling, counselling in relation to healthy lifestyle and blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels; regular fitness exercises and exercises for the prevention of back pain and mobilization of the joints and spine; consultations on health problems with a physiotherapist; training in the practical nursing skills necessary to manage the care of a dependent person; consultations with a nurse on caring for a dependent person; training in cognitive activation (memory training), and mediating further support and assistance.

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to meet in person, but online counselling is available: simply write your question or problem to the following e-mail address: pecujeme@zsf.jcu.cz. An expert will give his or her opinion on the issue. When the situation allows it, regular group meetings with experts will begin in the FHSS USB building at Nerudova 53a in České Budějovice, where people who find themselves in similar life situations can benefit each other by sharing personal feelings and experiences.

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