Last August, the testing of social emergency service began in Kastre, Kambja and Tartu parishes. Its purpose is to help people at home. The service helps prevent problems from escalating.
Anne Aleksejev is the head of the social department of Tartu parish. She says the service is designed for sudden situations. For example, if a caregiver falls ill, social emergency service can help.
Kadri Nöps leads this project. She says this is not a medical service. They help, for example, by bringing firewood or food. Over 30 calls have been made during the year.
A typical situation is the following: an elderly person was taken to the hospital but cannot return home without assistance. Social emergency service helps them get home and explains the discharge summary to the caregiver.
People in Kambja parish have not used the service much. They get help from relatives or neighbors. About five calls have been made in Kastre parish. Information spreads slowly there.
Initially, clients had to pay part of the service fee. Now it's free. If a person cannot pay, the parish covers the cost.
Tartu parish did not expect many clients. However, they joined the project. The European Union provides funding to support the project.
This project helps understand how social emergency service would work all over Estonia.