Birgit Meinhard-Schiebel

Austrian Carer’s Association Working FOR and WITH informal carers

Content of Presentation

Situation in Austria Aims of the Austrian Carers’ Association Organization of the Association Events and Milestones Publicity Website and Folder Five Claims from Politics

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Situation in Austria

5% of the population gets care allowance from the government

Informal carers provide 80% of care

Situation in Austria

Approx. 20% of the concerned families benefit from care and social services

42% of the caregivers reported that they can not afford community services (i.e. home care)

Why should caregivers team up?

A platform that acts for carers and lobbies for their requests is

necessary.

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Aims of the Austrian Carers’ Association

Improving carers’ living situation

Raising awareness for the social relevance, burden and challenges of informal caregivers

Raising appraisal and appreciation of carers’ effort

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Aims of the Austrian Carers’ Association

Identification of supply gaps and lobbying for improvements

Establishment of informal carers as an political relevant group

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Organization of the Association

Board of directors

Advisory board

Regional coordinators

Board of Directors

6 members- president- recording clerk- treasurer

and their deputies

Leading tasks

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Advisory Board

Approx. 20 members Personalities from science,

practise and business Tasks:

- Counselling the board of directors

- Information carrier and multiplicator at events

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Regional Coordinators

12 coordinators in 8 states Main tasks:

- Connector to local politicians and agencies

- Representative at events- In direct contact with informal

carers- Research of community

based services

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Office

National head office

Contact point for organs of association, members and interested persons

Located at the headquarters of the Austrian Red Cross in Vienna

Memberships

legal / nat. person

full / supporting membership

membership fee

natural full 20 € p. year

legal full - small associations (max. 3

employees)

70 € p. year

legal full – big associations 270 € p. year

natural or legal supporting members > 2.500 € p. year

Events and Milestones Event pre Foundation 11/2009 Inaugural Meeting 01/2010 Entry in Register of Associations 04/2010 Launch of Website 05/2010 1st Press Conference 05/2010 1st Meeting of Coordinators 08/2010 1st Meeting of Advisory Board 09/2010 2nd Press Conference 03/2011 1st Annual Conference 03/2011 1st General Meeting 03/2011

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Publicity

Two press conferences

Several articles in magazines and newspapers

Interviews on the radio

Representation at events

Networking

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Information

www. ig-pflege.at

Folder

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Five Claims from Politics

1. Implementation of annual valorisation of care allowances

2. Creation of independent information centres for persons in need of care and their carers all over the country

3. Relief and support of caregivers by extension of achievable services

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Five Claims from Politics

4. Development of measurements for an improved compatibility of informal care and job

5. Acceptance of the Carers’ Association as special interest group from the government (on regional, state and national levels)

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Thank you for your attention!

Birgit Meinhard-SchiebelPresident of the Austrian Carers’ Association

birgit.meinhard@ig-pflege.at