Given the high proportion of older people, Varazdin County has been financing a home care programme implemented by the Varaždin County Red Cross since 2002. Varaždin County’s initiative to develop non-institutional care for older people has led to the Day Centre for Older and Disabled People opening.

At the Varaždin County’s Home for the Elderly and Disabled, a club for older adults operates as a social center, which can be used by all older adults free of charge. Funds for the club’s activities are also provided by the Varaždin County.
The palliative care system as it is known today in the Republic of Croatia was born precisely in Varaždin County. As an example of good practice, we can cite the activities the Palliative Care Coordinator and the Mobile Palliative Team which, since 2016, have been ensuring continuity of healthcare for people in need of palliative care wherever they are in Varaždin County. A unique example of inpatient palliative care is the Novi Marof Palliative Care Development, which opened in 2018.
To improve the quality of care, the Manual ‘Dignity until the End of Life’ was published by the Varaždin County’s Healthcare Centre and is intended to assist the work of those providing palliative care, and the Brochure ‘Through a Half-open Door: Let’s Get to Know Volunteering’ wich shows the importance of volunteering in palliative care.
We have recognised the need to contribute to the strengthening civil organisation through its activities. Pensioner societies within Varaždin County, as some of the most active societies that focus on older people, provide a range of activities that aim to bring together and help their members.

We also started a pilot project that included the implementation of educational workshops entitled ‘Development of Digital Literacy for Pensioners and Vulnerable Groups’.