Development of a Transcultural Social Ethical and Integrated Care Model, for Dependent and Older People Populations at Risk of Exclusion in the Mediterranean Sea Basin (TEC-MED): A Research Protocol.

Abstract

Background: Higher life expectancy has produced a higher older people porpulation, not necessarily with a consistent quality of life, showing a high rate of vulnerability and dependence. The current social and health crisis situation has highlighted the need to create new integrated models of care that could be translated into social and health policies.

Objective: The present study aims to develop, test, and validate an innovative integrated care model for older people with dependence and at risk of social exclusion and their caregivers.

Methods: The TEC-MED project participants are nine project partners and six associated partners, with geographic coverage from six countries in the Mediterranean basin, Spain, Tunisia, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, and Greece. Project coordination will take place at three different levels, macro, meso and micro, through six work packages. The pilot phase uses qualitative-quantitative method to assess the impact of the TEC-MED project, it is expected to train 36 Training Agents, six per country, who apply to a total of 28,200 people (mainly elders and their caregivers).

Conclusion: The study proposes a new social integrated care organizational model focused on the integration of social and health care, comprising the governance model; the organization structure and the skills profiles for the caring personnel.