Social Innovations for Quality of Life in Old Age (Soziale Innovationen für Lebensqualität im Alter (SILQUA-FH))

Country:
Germany

Sub-programme of a wider initiative or programme:

Official identification number or abbreviation:

Duration:

2009 -

Funding budget:

Homepage:
http://www.bmbf.de/de/13214.php http://www.aif.de/fh/142-0-silqua.html

Funding body / financing organisation:

Federal Ministry of Education and Research – Ref. 515

Challenges and objectives:

The ageing society is a major challenge in the 21 st century. Older people over 90 years will constitute the most growing population group; more and more people will be in need of care and support because of dementia and other age-related diseases. At the same time, traditional family structures are changing and social inequality in old age is growing – infrastructures and care systems need to be adapted to this changing environment. Social and health services and professions are under pressure to change and tackle the new challenges. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has therefore set-up several research programmes to investigate the consequences of demographic change and to develop answers to the upcoming challenges. Public and private universities of applied sciences in Germany offer degree programmes in social work and health and care sciences and are could therefore contribute especially to these efforts. The SILQUA-FH programme is targeted towards universities of applied sciences and should enable them to develop new models of care and support for elderly and to raise quality and efficiency in supporting elderly people with chronic diseases. It is focused on interdisciplinary research and social innovation in regional networks of all relevant stakeholders and care providers. It seeks to investigate “best practices” in care and prevention, independent living and to develop and adjust the necessary curricula for practioners in these fields. Close cooperation with local authorities, social organisations and public and private care providers should foster the up taking of social innovations and new services on a regional level.

Thematic areas / main focuses:

Main focus of SILQUA-FH are concepts and strategies to enhance the quality of life for older generations by - Social inclusion, - Inter-generational solidarity and voluntary work - Support for relatives and organising local support (by neighbours, etc.) - New models of planning and governance of local support services - Integrated care planning and establishment of advisory services - Better coordination and networking of different care providers (Public- Private-Partnerships) - New management concepts in social care - New curricula and educational programmes for professionals, parishioners and non-professional care providers. Project results should be transferable to other regions with a focus on use-case oriented developments.

Related to Working Group(s):
Health & Performance, Social Systems & Welfare, Housing, Urban-Rural Development & Mobility

Foreseen results and outcomes:

Setting and methods:

Main target group of the programme are universities of applied sciences and their departments for social work or health and care sciences. The main intention is the development of social innovations (not technical (production/product) innovations). A prerequisite for funding is cooperation with local partners; additional cooperations with other universities or research institutions are eligible.

Disciplines and institutions addressed:

Eligible for funding are private or public universities of applied sciences with a thematic interdisciplinary focus on “ageing societies” and social work or health and care sciences. Gender Mainstreaming is a vital part of the Federal Governments strategy; therefore applications from female scientists, researchers and project leaders are especially encouraged.

Funding scheme and procedure:

Funding is eligible for - Personnel costs - Scientific qualification of younger researchers - Other direct costs. Subcontracts involving third-parties are possible up to 25% of the total project funding. Maximum funding of a university in a project is 260.000 Euro. Projects can involve more than one university. Maximum duration of projects is 3 years. Projects should start on 1 January 2011.

Key topics for inclusion of foreign partners:

Remarks:

Organisation:
Air Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen "Otto von Guericke" e.V.

Department:
Gruppe Forschung an Fachhochschulen

First Name:

Surname:

Title:

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Address:
Bayenthalgürtel 23, 50968 Köln

Phone:
0221 376 80 - 0

Fax:
0221 376 80 - 27

E-Mail:

Web: