This program is part of the activity of municipal institutions and organizations that support seniors. It is a qualitatively modified continuation of the protective measures implemented in the city of Opole in 2021 at the disposal of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. In the proposed projects for 2022, it is compatible, consistent and does not go beyond the instructions issued by MLSP, included in the ministerial content of the program called “Seniors Support Corps” Program for 2022. The costs of all activities are covered by the state budget.

I. Legal basis of the protection program

1. The municipal protection program “Corps of Seniors Support” for 2022, hereinafter referred to as the “Program”, is a protection program within the meaning of Art. 17 sec. 2 point 4 of the Act of 12 March 2004 on social assistance (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 2268, as amended), i.e. undertaking other tasks in the field of social assistance resulting from the identified needs of the commune, which during the pandemic should include actions to protect Seniors from Covid-19 infection.
2. Program of the Ministry of Labor Family and Social Policy “Corps of Seniors Support” for 2022can be found at https://www.gov.pl/web/rodzina/senior-pkieta-pomocy-zadzwon-pod-22-505-11-11
3. As part of the social welfare area, the Program takes into account new forms of support after identifying the needs of the City of Opole in this regard, pursuant to Art. 17 para. 2 point 4 of the Act on social assistance.

II. Program objectives and recipients

1.The aim of the program is to provide a support service for seniors aged 65 and over who have problems with independent functioning due to health condition, who run independent households or live with relatives that are unable to provide them with sufficient support, and improving the sense of security, the possibility of independent functioning in the place of residence of older people through access to the so-called “Distance care”.

The provision of services results from the identified needs in the city of Opole, which fit into the areas indicated in the Program.

2.People who come to the Program will be qualified both via the nationwide hotline 22 505 11 11 as well as directly to the social workers of Municipal Family Support Center in Opole https://mopr.opole.pl/index.php/rejony-opiekuncze-mapa

3. The implementation of the Program covers two modules:

a) the aim of the implementation of Module I is to provide volunteers with a support service for seniors aged 65 and over from the city of Opole including:

– social support,

– facilitating access to primary and specialized health care,

– psychological support,

– support in everyday activities.

It is assumed that up to 120 people will benefit from the help offered, as was the case last year.

b) the aim of the implementation of Module II is to improve safety and the possibility of independent functioning in the place of residence for the elderly by increasing access to the so-called “Distance care”. As part of the program, seniors aged 65 and over will have access to the so-called “Safety wristbands” having at least three of the following functions:

– safety button – SOS signal,

– fall detector,

– wristband removal sensor,

– GPS locator,

– functions enabling communication with the service center and caregivers,

– functions monitoring basic life activities (pulse and saturation).

It is assumed that up to 50 people will benefit from the service offered.

III. Assessment of the situation conditioning the implementation of the Program

The program is a response to the challenges posed by the demographic processes taking place throughout the country, including Opole, and is an element of our state’s social policy in supporting activities for dependent seniors due to their age and health condition. The program is also a response to the needs of seniors in terms of protection against COVID-19 infection in connection with the persistent state of the epidemic in the territory of the Republic of Poland. Guided by the care for the safety of the elderly living in the city of Opole, who are not able to (for example, by support from their family) secure their basic needs, it is advisable to undertake various types of activities that will be financed from the Counteracting COVID-19 Fund referred to in art. 65 of the Act of March 31, 2020 amending the Act on special solutions related to the prevention and counteracting COVID-19, other infectious diseases and emergencies resulting from them, and other acts (Journal of Laws, item 568, as amended).

The program also uses the constantly emerging new technologies, including access

to new tools supporting the care of seniors. The current solutions make it possible, inter alia, to monitoring the well-being of elderly people by their relatives, even if they are in a remote place. These solutions allow the elderly to feel safer and be more independent, and if necessary, notify their loved ones quickly or emergency services about a crisis situation that happened to them.

Planned needs are treated as indicative values ​​because the factors and variables of a health and social nature that determine the demand may change with the dynamics of the intensity of risks as a result of a pandemic. If during the implementation it turns out that the demand is higher than assumed, an appropriate demand will be submitted to the Opole Voivode for additional funds, so that it is possible to cover all the needs of people who meet the boundary conditions of the program.

IV. Institutions implementing the Program

Ways of implementing the program.

Module I: – independently by Municipal Family Support Center in Opole, i.e. by organizing and coordinating the work of volunteers (on the basis of the agreement referred to in Article 44 of the Act of 24 April 2003 on Public Benefit and Volunteer Work) and employees of MFSC in Opole.

Module II:

– independently, i.e. by organizing and coordinating the work of volunteers (based on the agreement referred to in Art. 44 of the Act of April 24, 2003 on activities for public benefit and volunteering) and employees of MFSC in Opole. The supplier will be selected in accordance with the Act of 09/11/2019 – Public Procurement Law.

Module I – volunteering is carried out by the Information and Education Center “Senior in Opole”, which coordinates the work of volunteers who visit seniors covered by the program.