Sendian Programm

Family care for people in situations of dependency is a major social challenge and a problem that is on the rise, as it generates a significant and progressive increase of the responsibility of the family to provide support and assistance, day after day, for a typically very long period, to a relative in situation of frailty, with no precedent in the history of our country (life expectancy, declining birth rates, ageing population) of this new condition. This increasingly imposes on the life of the main caregivers and the rest of the family, resulting in a physical and psychological impact on their own lives.

In most families, it is a single person who assumes most of the responsibility for care: the main caregiver. Most are women and, although men are increasingly involved in the care of the elderly, they are generally assistants to the main caregivers. Eight out of ten people who are caring for a family member are wives, daughters and daughter-in-laws, carrying out their gender role.

The tasks and activities of caregivers are many and require time and energy. They are not always comfortable or pleasant, and as it is generally unexpected, the caregiver is not always prepared in advance for the care or to address the diversity of situations involved in the care and that makes every care experience be unique and different from the others for various reasons: personal, relationship, previous relationship of the caregiver with the care recipient, type and degree of dependence and even the reason for receiving care (altruism, reciprocity, gratitude and esteem, feelings of guilt, censures, social approval, interest).

In this sense, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, through the Sendian Programme, encourages reciprocity in informal care relations, with special attention given to supporting the wellbeing and demands of family caregivers and to promoting a more equal distribution of care within households. It is essential to specifically cater to family caregivers, those who are responsible for the care of people in situations of dependency. The Matia Institute has extensive experience in the management of this project, in terms of training programs, support groups and individual psychological support, because since 2007 it has been managing these programmes, in coordination with the different municipalities and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.

Funded by: Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa

Objectives

The implementation of programs to support family caregivers of people in situations of dependency in the historical territory of Gipuzkoa, from a model that promotes women's empowerment and responsibility of women and men in care.