1. The Role of the NGO 50+ Hellas in the Support of Greek Carers’ Issues
Dr. Liz Mestheneos
Member of Administrative Council,
50+ Hellas   

2. What is 50+ Hellas?
The first NGO of >50 year olds in Greece, working since 2006
Aims: to promote the interests and improve the quality of life of older people in Greece, including dependent OP and their family and professional caregivers, through
1) providing information
2) advocating for their equality in all relevant issues
3) networking with organisations with similar objectives
Original link to the SEXTANT Research Group
Strong collaboration with AGE- Platform Europe

3. Areas of Work of 50+ Hellas
See
Information - facilities, rights and services.
Confronting age discrimination and social inclusion
Promoting healthy ageing
Ensuring social participation and positive use of time e.g travel,
Employment and educational rights and opportunities.
Technologies and accessibility

4. Care of frail older people in Greece
Original Research EUROFAMCARE research study -23 National Background Reports – 6 National Surveys (DE, EL, IT, PL, SE, UK) – total sample FCs with standardised questionnaire
Work on promoting avoidance of Abuse of Older people via Charter of Rights and Responsibilities (2010) and current programme WeDo - well being and dignity - working with national relevant bodies.
1991 – 1st study on Family Care for European Foundation, Dublin (6 countries), qualitative study with interviews with 24 family carers of dependent older people in Lesbos island and Athens

5. Findings from Greek EFC 1014 FCs of dependent older people
81% women, mean age 51.7 years ( years)
47.2% were still working (average 40 hours/week)
51 hours/week of care given to the dependent OP
17.1% spouse carers, 55.4% children and 13.9% daughters/sons -in-law, 4.4% g’children, 4.2% nephews/nieces
Household income (3 persons) 1,093 euros/month
Only 2% receive any kind of state financial support (to OP or FC)
Greek FCs scored the highest levels of “poor” quality of life (10% cf. 6.5% Germany) and the lowest levels of “good” quality of life (50.2% cf. 66.6% UK).

6. What support do Greek FCs want?
Information about services and support available
Advice about the disease suffered by the OP
Financial help (56%) – The care of an older person causes extra costs for Greek family carers
Good quality services for their OP and, to a lesser extent, for themselves, that provide trustworthy, responsive, 24-hour care
Respite care at home and in institutions
The removal of bureaucratic and complicated procedures stopping family carers using services
Opportunities for the older person to undertake activities they enjoy
Help in better combining caregiving and paid employment
Training in caring techniques

7. Main outcomes of EFC REACT (Research-Action to promote the findings of EFC in the support of carers)
At EU level
EUROCARERS NGO,
work with AGE –European Older People’s Platform to promote EP special interest group on carers,
lobbying in support of carers issues (Marie Cassiotou-Panagiotopoulos),
admission of carers to social insurance systems

8. Main actions to implement EFC REACT (findings of EFC in the support of carers)
At National level
work with IKPA on
translation and publication of Greek National Survey Report
Conference on “the Caring Family”
Training of carers – training seminars for health and social care professionals on sensitisation to carers’ issues, practical training courses for formal and informal carers using electronic methods with Pireaus Chamber of Commerce (
Elder abuse – translation of AGE pamphlet

9. 50+: work on care of older people
Website and eNewsletters
Work with Alzheimer associations and other NGOs e.g. HAGG - Athens Alzheimer Association
EU programmes: INTERLINKS FP7 with CMT Prooptiki, research on LTC in 14 European countries – WP5 Informal care in the health and LTC systems;
EUSTACEA, combating abuse of older women; Charter
WeDo - well being and dignity