At the International Long-Term Care Policy Network (ILPN) conference last September, the WELL CARE project was presented in a session chaired by Claire Champeix (Eurocarers), which focused on innovative approaches to supporting carers and LTC workers in Europe. The session highlighted the critical role of EU-funded projects in addressing the growing challenges of demographic changes and the strain placed on carers. The InCARE project pilot in Spain was presented in the same session, as both projects aim to advance sustainable and integrated care practices, which are vital for the long-term health of carers and the broader care system.

Álvaro García Soler from the Matia Gerontological Institute introduced the InCARE project (2020-2023), which promoted inclusive, community-based LTC services through a participatory approach. In Gipuzkoa (Basque Region, Spain), the InCARE pilot provided individual and peer-to-peer psychological support to informal carers of people with dementia. This initiative sought to alleviate the “triple penalty” often experienced by informal carers—negative impacts on health, financial stability, and social life—by addressing their psychological needs. Soler outlined the project’s success in improving carers’ quality of life, well-being, and mental health, while also enhancing social support systems. The pilot’s sustainability and scalability, a year after project funding ended, were discussed as key lessons for broader application. This pilot is regarded as a promising practice in WELL CARE’s initial mapping exercise, which serves as a preliminary step towards designing and testing intervention prototypes.

Complementing InCARE, Marco Socci from IRCCS INRCA presented the WELL CARE project, which focuses on strengthening care partnerships between informal carers and LTC workers and developing innovative solutions and prototypes aimed at supporting carers and workers in five EU countries. WELL CARE’s holistic approach, which recognises the deep interconnection between informal and formal care roles, seeks to foster resilience and improve mental health outcomes through targeted interventions. By engaging stakeholders in five EU countries—Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Sweden—the project aims to develop tools and policies that can be implemented at local, regional, and national levels.

Both presentations underscored the importance of coordinated care and the need for systemic support to ensure the sustainability of informal and formal care systems in Europe. The session concluded with a discussion on how both projects contribute to the European Care Strategy, offering practical solutions and policy recommendations that can help sustain the care workforce and support carers in their essential roles. Through these innovative efforts, the WELL CARE and InCARE projects are paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient care system across Europe.

Author: Claire Champeix

For more information on the InCARE project please consult the project website: https://incare.euro.centre.org/about/