Content
Relevance of Seniors 55+ eServices Guides
Purpose
Objectives
Platform Prototype Development
Seniors
Senior centricity
History
Links to the existing Guides in Central Europe
Meetings
Actions
Members
Links to Publications
Relevance of Seniors 55+ eServices Guides
There are several ways seniors can learn about the services available to them:
Contact local senior centers: Senior centers are a great resource for information about services available to seniors in the community. They often have staff who can provide information and referrals, and may offer programs and activities that can help seniors learn about available services.
Reach out to community organizations: Many community organizations, such as churches, libraries, and community centers, offer programs and services for seniors. These organizations can provide information about services and programs that may be available in the community.
Consult with healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social workers, can provide information about services available to seniors. They may be able to refer seniors to programs and services that can help with healthcare, nutrition, and other needs.
Look online: There are many websites and online resources that provide information about services available to seniors. Some examples include the National Council on Aging (ncoa.org), the Administration on Aging (aoa.gov), and BenefitsCheckUp.org, which helps seniors find benefits they may be eligible for.
Contact local government agencies: Many local government agencies have programs and services for seniors. Contacting the local Department of Aging or the Area Agency on Aging can be a good way to learn about services available in the community.
Printed or online guides can be a useful tool for seniors to learn about services available to them in several ways:
Clear and concise information: Printed or online guides can provide clear and concise information about services available to seniors. The guides can be structured in a way that is easy to follow and understand, with important information highlighted and key points emphasized. This can help seniors to quickly and easily identify the services they need and how to access them.
Accessible formats: Printed or online guides can be produced in formats that are accessible to seniors with different needs. For example, printed guides can be produced in large print, Braille, or audio formats. Online guides can be designed with clear fonts, easy navigation, and the ability to adjust text size and contrast to make them easier to read.
User-friendly design: Printed or online guides can be designed to be user-friendly for seniors. For example, using simple language, avoiding jargon and technical terms, and providing clear instructions on how to use the guide. This can help seniors to feel more confident and comfortable using the guide to learn about services available to them.
Comprehensive information: Printed or online guides can provide comprehensive information about the range of services available to seniors, including those that may not be widely known or advertised. This can help seniors to make informed decisions about the services they need and can access.
Regular updates: Printed or online guides can be updated regularly to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date. This can help seniors to have confidence in the information they are receiving and make informed decisions about the services they need.
Purpose
Central European Seniors 55+ eServices Guide is a network established on March 4, 2022. Its purpose is to support provision of the national Guides which facilitate the acquisition of information and provide valuable and trusted resources for the elderly and all caretakers in the participating countries. They are meant for the adult children 55+ taking care of parents 75+. They support the search for the available eServices related to improving the standard of living of the seniors. Data on eServices available should be easily accessible and simple to find at the time when needed.
Data on eServices is available at the website of the organization listed in the Guide. Each organization collects, maintains, and provides its data. The organization’s contact person can provide additional information by email, or over the phone. The Guide is expected to be updated once or twice a year.
Such a Guide is needed in all Central European countries at local, regional, and national level. Therefore, the countries’ cooperation seems reasonable and useful. The experience has shown that the Guides in different countries or areas can be similar by design and structure. The content depends on local circumstances, however. This makes it easier for seniors in the border regions of the two countries to use the Guide to learn about the eServices available in one country or another.
All interested organizations are kindly invited to engage in a collaborative development process to share experiences. In case of interest, you are welcome to contact Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus, University of Maribor, Slovenia at Joze.Gricar@UM.si.
Objectives
Members of the network Central European Seniors eServices Guide 55+ support efforts to issue the Guides in Central European countries. Therefore, we are committed to achieving the following objectives in 2022:
Supporting Seniors 55+ eServices Guide development in the municipality (local community) by engaging the Health Community Center and the Municipality Administration in cooperation with all organizations which are offering eServices to the seniors. For example, seniors’ association, elderly home, library, educational institution, voluntary organization, transportation services.
Incorporating into the Guide the links to the eServices for seniors provided by the organizations at the state level. For example, health insurance company, pension insurance company, employment office, banking association, related ministries.
Spreading the message about the usefulness of the Guide in the municipality and in the country.
Sharing ideas and experiences with similar networks in other countries to learn about best practices.
Creating a unified Guide easy to be used at the time when data is need (equal cover page, uniform way of presenting data). Visually the Guides in the countries will be similar, the content will be local circumstances dependent, however.
Encouraging the publishing of the updated Guide on the website in the national and English language and distributing a printed brochure in the national language to all households in the municipality once a year.
Presenting the achievements at the Zoom conference Seniors 55+ eServices Guide Prototypes in Central Europe on Friday, September 30, 2022. At the occasion of October 1 – International Day of Older Persons. The conference is organized by Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia.
Seniors
Both “elderly” and “seniors” are commonly used terms to refer to older adults, but there are some nuances to consider:
“Elderly”: This term is generally used to refer to individuals who are advanced in age, typically 65 years or older. It can be considered more formal and is often used in medical or academic contexts.
“Seniors”: This term is often used as a more informal and inclusive way to refer to older adults, typically 55 years or older. It is commonly used in community and social settings, and some older individuals may prefer this term as it may be seen as more positive and empowering.
When referring to older adults, it’s always respectful to use language that is inclusive, respectful, and considerate of their preferences. If in doubt, it’s best to ask individuals how they prefer to be referred to.
On the webpages of the eRegion.eu portal, we use the term seniors.
Senior Centricity
Senior centricity is important in application development because it focuses on designing and building applications that meet the specific needs and preferences of older adults, who are often referred to as seniors. The developers can create applications that are more inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly for seniors, ultimately improving their digital experiences. The reasons are the following:
Growing elderly population: The global population is aging rapidly, and seniors are becoming an increasingly significant demographic.
User experience: Senior centricity prioritizes designing applications with user-friendly interfaces, intuitive navigation, and clear instructions. Older adults may have varying levels of digital literacy or physical limitations, such as reduced vision or motor skills.
Inclusion and accessibility: Senior centricity promotes inclusivity and accessibility in application development. It ensures that seniors, regardless of their technological background or physical abilities, can effectively access and utilize digital applications.
Addressing specific challenges: Older adults may face unique challenges related to technology, such as cognitive decline, privacy concerns, or limited mobility. Senior centricity encourages developers to address these challenges by incorporating features like simplified interfaces, clear instructions, privacy settings, and options for larger text sizes or voice-based interactions.
Market potential: The senior population represents a significant market segment with specific needs and preferences. By developing applications that cater to older adults, businesses can tap into this growing market and provide solutions that address their requirements.
History
The Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the eRegion was launched in a meeting in February 2011 (10.2.2011 Initiative Meeting, 1st Meeting, Rectorate, University of Maribor). The basis was the realization of the need to accelerate eCollaboration in the region of the neighboring countries. For example, the Danube, the Adriatic-Ionic region, or Alpine region. That this is necessary has been demonstrated at a series of meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences over a period of ten years (2000-2010).
After the first meeting, tree follow up meetings were organized in 2011: at the City Municipality of Novo mesto (April), the Rectorate of the University of Primorska (June), and in Ljubljana (September). At the last meeting, the realization matured that a coordinated initiative was needed in Slovenia. The fourth preparatory meeting was later named the First Danube eRegion Conference (20.9.2011 The 1st Danube eRegion Conference, Ljubljana).
One year of preparations was followed by five annual international conferences on eRegion development (The 6th eRegions Conference 2016: Cross-border eSolutions & eServices Prototypes Development. Castle Jable, Mengeš). In the years 2010-2020, the Slovenia initiative organized many international events and carried out a series of cross-border eCollaboration campaigns. The links are published at Links to actions in Slovenia.
The idea for the publication of the Slovenia eServices Guide for seniors 55+ seemed to be mature at the conference eServices Provision for the Elderly 55+ Consultation in Ljubljana. A working group was established, whose members discussed in monthly meetings from October 2018 to March 2019, how to transfer to Slovenia the experience of publishing the Guide in other countries. The experience in Canada has proven to be very useful.
The results of the group’s work were presented at the international conference eServices Provision for the Seniors 55+ in the Cross-border eRegion Consultation which was held in Škofja Loka on 9 April 2019. The first Seniors Services Guide 55+ in Slovenia was presented as a prototype which was printed in a circulation of 500 copies in Slovene and published online in Slovene and English. The subtitle emphasized that the Guide is intended for 55+ adult children caring for 75+ parents.
In October 2021, two Guides were published. The Guide of organizations in the Municipality of Slovenj Gradec and the Municipality of Mislinja: Guide 2021 – Health Community Centre Slovenj Gradec, February 2022. The Guide of organizations in the Municipalities of Mirna, Mokronog-Trebelno, Šentrupert and Trebnje: Guide 2021 – Health Community Centre Trebnje (in Slovene). In February 2022, Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI) published the Seniors 55+ eServices Guide in Hungarian language.
Based on the experiences gained, a decision was made in February 2022 to organize a meeting Central European Seniors 55+ eServices Guide Network. Delegations of Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia were invited to the Zoom meeting on March 23, 2022.
Platform Prototype Development
Contact Person
Marjeta Vaupot, MBA, Director
Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec
Council Member, City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Coordinator, Central European Seniors eServices Guide 55+
Marjeta.Vaupot@ZD-SG.si
The links to the eServices for Seniors 55+ Guides in Canada, USA and Australia are published at Global Network of Associations & Networks: Retirees Developing Silver Economy.
Participating organizations will use prototype and open innovation methodology.
The Central European Guide developed by the groups will be presented at the eServices for Seniors 55+ Central European Guide event at the occasion on the International Day of Older Persons 2023, organized by the Slovenj Gradec Group on Friday, September 29, 2023.
Slovenia
Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec
Marjeta Vaupot, MBA, Director
Council Member, City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Coordinator, Central European Seniors eServices Guide 55+
Marjeta.Vaupot@ZD-SG.si
&
Gabrijel Linasi, Database Administrator
Gabrijel.Linasi@ZD-SG.si
The Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec is providing health services to the citizens in the municipalities Slovenj Gradec and Mislinja.
City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Martina Šisernik, Vice Mayor
Martina.Sisernik@SlovenjGradec.si
&
Robi Vrance, Database Administrator
Robi.Vrance@SlovenjGradec.si
Secondary School of Health, School Center Slovenj Gradec
Jasna Kolar, M.Sc., Coordinator of seniors training
Jasna.Kolar@SC-SG.si
Library Ksaver Meško Slovenj Gradec
Dragica Ropič, Director
Draga.Ropic@SG.sik.si
Revolver, Advertising Agency d.o.o. Slovenj Gradec
Aljoša Ozimic, Director
SeniorGuide, Publication 2022, Technology Support to Technology Platform Development
Info@Revolver.si
&
Laura Martinčič, Graphic Designer, Senior Developer
Laura@Revolver.si
City Municipality of Celje, Municipal Administration
Gregor Deleja, Director
Gregor.Deleja@Celje.si
Socio – The Institute for assistance to individuals and families and for the provision of social welfare services, Celje
Suzi Kvas, Director
Suzi.Kvas@siol.com
Tanja Petelinšek, Project Manager, Multigenerational Center
Tanja@Socio-rcmd.si
Health Community Center Celje, Health Promotion Center
Mateja Rozman, Head
Mateja.Rozman@ZD-Celje.si
The Health Community Center Celje is providing health services to the citizens in the following municipalities: Celje, Štore, Vojnik, and Dobrna.
Celje Central Library, Third Age University
Mojca Videmšek, Head
Mojca.Videmsek@Knjiznica-Celje.si
Provincial Federations of Pensioners’ Associations, Celje
Zdenka Jan, President
Jan.Zdenka@yahoo.com
Elderly Home Dom ob Savinji
Bojana Mazil Šolinc, Director
Bojana.Solinc@DomObSavinji.si
Organizations that provide eServices for seniors at the national level
Mag. Edmond Pajk, Deputy Director-General & Chief Information Officer
Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia
Edmond.Pajk@ZPIZ.si
Marija Žiher, Consultant Organizer
Tamara Merlini, Senior Key Account Manager
Governor’s Office and Communications, Bank of Slovenia
Marija.Ziher@Bsi.si; Tamara.Merlini@Bsi.si
Dr. Olivera Stanojević Jerković, MD, Specialist in Social Medicine/Public Health
National Institute of Public Health, Maribor Unit
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor
Olivera.Stanojevic@NIJZ.si
Hungary
Edit Kovács, Webpage Coordinator, Care Giver
Náduvar Social Institution Maintenance Association, Social Service Center
City of Nádudvar
szszk@Nadudvar.hu
Dr. Ágnes Bene, Assistant Professor
University of Debrecen, Faculty of Health Sciences
Bene.Agnes@etk.UniDeb.hu
Gabriella Helmeczi, Assistant Lecturer
University of Debrecen, Institute of Health Studies, Department of Health Informatics
Helmeczi.Gabriella@etk.UniDeb.hu
Ágnes Henspergerné Stomp, PhD Student
University of Debrecen, Ihrig Károly Doctoral School of Management and Business
StompAgnes@gmail.com
Finland
Kaisa Sunimento, Communications Specialist
Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division, City of Helsinki
Contact Person, Senior Services Guide 2023–2024
Kaisa.Sunimento@Hel.fi
Links to the existing Guides in Central Europe
Kažipot 2021 – Zdravstveni dom Slovenj Gradec, October 2021
Guide 2021 – Health Community Centre Slovenj Gradec, February 2022
Kažipot 2022 – Zdravstveni dom Slovenj Gradec, 30. september 2022
Kažipot 2021 – Zdravstveni dom Trebnje
Guide 2021 – Health Community Centre Trebnje (in Slovene), October 2021
Hungarian Seniors 55+ eServices Guide (in Hungarian), February 2022
Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives – CESCI
Meetings
Seniors 55+ eServices Guide – Koroška Region
Zoom Meeting on 10th of May 2022, 10:00 – 12:00
Central European Guide KOROŠKA REGIONAL GUIDE 55+ May 10 2022
Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Zoom Meeting, 13:00-15:00 CET
Central European Seniors 55+ eServices Guide: 2022 Cooperation Plan
Organized by Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), Budapest, Hungary
P r o g r a m
13:00 – 13:05 Greetings
Gyula Ocskay, Secretary General, Central-European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), Budapest, Hungary
13:05 – 13:15 Brief introduction of the participants
13:15 – 13:30 Objectives
Marjeta Vaupot, MBA, Director, Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
Dr. Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus, University of Maribor, Slovenia, Program Coordinator, Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the eRegion
13:30 – 13:50 Experience in Seniors 55+ eServices Guide Development in Slovenia
Short oral presentations (5 minutes per presenter)
Chair:
Marjeta Vaupot, MBA, Managing Director, Health Community Service Slovenj Gradec
Presenters:
Martina Šisernik, Vice Mayor, City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Dušan Stojanovič, Public Relations, City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Andreja Šavc, Mag., Head, Patronage Services, City Municipality Slovenj Gradec
Peter Jenko, Deputy Director, Information Technology Directorate, Ministry of Public Administration
13:50 – 14:00 Short presentation of the Hungarian Seniors 55+ eServices Guide
Melinda Benczi, Strategic Planner, Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI)
14:00 – 14:10 Questions and remarks
14:10 – 14:30 Towards a Central European Seniors 55+ eServices Guide
Expectations about Seniors 55+ eServices Guide Development in 2022. Proposals collecting & Possible joint actions planning
Austria
Croatia
Registration is required at Joze.Gricar@UM.si.
The Participants List will be published.
Meeting Record will be published.
Europe, let’s cooperate! Interregional cooperation forum Online.
First call for project proposals of Interreg Europe programme in the 2021-2027 period. European Commission.
Tuesday, 5 April 2022 – 10:00-16:00 (GMT+1)
Registration: https://hopin.com/events/europe-let-s-cooperate-2022/registration
Guide 2022 Interreg Europe 1st CfP April 5 summary CESCI
Members
Mag. Astrid Leeb, Projektmanagement
Education Group GmbH, Linz
A.Leeb@EduGroup.at
Dr. Michaela Miklautz, Regional Coordinator of Nursing Care
Office of the Carinthian Provincial Government, Department 5 – Health and Care Nursing, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Michaela.Miklautz@Ktn.gv.at
Andrea Jernej, Office Manager, Human Resources Department
Social Welfare Association for Senior Centers, Völkermarkt
Andrea.Jernej@vk-gv.at
Michael Suppanz, Director
Social Welfare Association for Senior Centers, Völkermarkt
Michael.Suppanz@vk-gv.at
Sandra Ćakić Kuhar, Acting Director
Elderly Home Poreč-Parenzo
Sandra.Cakic.Kuhar@Dom-Porec.hr
Dr. Mirjana Sanader, Professor Emerita
University of Zagreb
MSanader@ffzg.hr
Moira Allan, Co-founder and International Coordinator
The Pass It On Network, Paris, France
Moira@PassItOnNetwork.org
Gyula Ocskay, General Secretary
Central-European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), Budapest, Hungary
& Head, European Institute of cross-border studies, Budapest
Gyula.Ocskay@CESCI-net.eu
Márta Csizmadia, Councilor
Consultative Council of Elderly Organisations
Csizmadia.marta@gmail.com
Dr Péter Kerényi, Professor
Milton Friedman University, Budapest
Kerenyi.Peter@gmail.com
Erika Jakó, Head of Trade and Commercial Office
Embassy of Hungary, Ljubljana
Erika.Jako@mfa.gov.hu
Additional members to be indicated.
Dr. Yeghis Keheyan, Professor
Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La. Sapienza”, Italy
Keheyan.Yeghis@gmail.com
Dr. Cristina Malvi, Health Manager
Local Health Authority of Bologna, Italy
Malvi.Cristina@gmail.com
Elisa Monterubbianesi, Administrative Assistant, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Italy
niCE-life Interreg Project staff
Elisa.Monterubbianesi@ausl.Bologna.it
Raja Eriksone, Member
Alisa Leuse, Member
Riga’s Active Seniors Aliance – RASA, Riga
Biedriba.RASA@inbox.lv
Dr. Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Program Coordinator, Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the eRegion
Editor, eRegion Portal & Secretary, eSeniors 55+ Network
Member of Assembly & Member of the Board, Central-European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), Budapest, Hungary
Joze.Gricar@UM.si
Neda Hudopisk, MD, Head
National Institute of Public Health, Regional Unit Ravne na Koroškem
Neda.Hudopisk@NIJZ.si
Peter Jenko, Deputy Director
Information Technology Directorate, Ministry of Public Administration
Peter.Jenko@gov.si
Mag. Jasna Kolar Macur, Councelor
Mentor & Mentors’ Coordinator, Voluntary Activities
Secondary School for Nursing, Slovenj Gradec
Jasna.Kolar@SC-SG.si
Mag. Irena Oder, Director
Dr. Franc Sušnik Central Carinthian Library, Ravne na Koroškem
& Member, Municipality of Ravne na Koroškem Council
Irena.Oder@Rav.sik.si
Aljoša Ozimic, Director
Revolver, Marketing Agency ltd, Slovenj Gradec & Seniors 55+ eServices Guide Computer Design
Aljosa@Revolver.si
Mag. Edmond Pajk, Deputy Director-General & Chief Information Officer
Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia
Edmond.Pajk@ZPIZ.si
Martina Pečovnik, Head, Patronage Services
Health Community Center Dr. Jože Potrata Žalec
Patronaza@ZD-Zalec.si
Dušan Stojanovič, Public Relations Coordinator, International Affairs
City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Dusan.Stojanovic@SlovenjGradec.si
Mag. Andreja Šavc, Head, Patronage Services
Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec
PatronaznoVarstvo@gmail.com
Martina Šisernik, Deputy Mayor
City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec
Martina.Sisernik@SlovenjGradec.si
Marjeta Vaupot, MBA, Director
Health Community Center Slovenj Gradec
Marjeta.Vaupot@ZD-SG.si
Links to Articles in National Languages
Slovene
Ena najbolj priljubljenih publikacij je vodnik za starejše. V Helsinkih so tiskano brošuro z uporabnimi informacijami izdali v finščini, švedščini in prvič v angleščini. Simona Fajfar, DELO, 12.06.2023.
Slovensko idejo izvozili na Madžarsko. Kažipot 55+, zbirko uporabnih informacij za starejše, imajo po novem tudi na Madžarskem. Simona Fajfar, DELO, 28.02.2022
Links to Publications
Services for Seniors. Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand Government, April 2022: 19.
Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario. Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, Ontario, Canada, 22 Mar 2022: 119.
Guide 2021 – Health Community Centre Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia, February 2022: 33.
Programs and Services for Seniors. 2022 Edition. Government of Québec, 26 Nov 2021: 48.
Programs and services for seniors. Government of Canada.
Help for Seniors: Your Guide to Assistance Programs & Services. GreatSeniorLiving.com, Beelineweb.com. Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada, February 16, 2022.
Senior Resource Guide 2021-2022. Area Agency on Aging. Monterey County Aging and Adult Services, California, USA.
Prince George’s County Senior Resource Guide 2022. Prince George’s Senior Provider Network, Largo, Maryland, USA: 48.
Senior Resource Guide. 2021-2022 Ninth Edition. Provided By State Senator Liz Krueger. New York State Senate, USA, 1 Sept 2021: 110.
BC Seniors’ Guide. The 12th Edition of the British Columbia Seniors’ Guide. Ministry of Health, British Columbia, Canada, July 2021: 178.
Senior Resource Guide 2020 – 2021. Steps and Services in Senior Care. St. Jude Medical Center, Senior Services and North Orange County Senior Collaborative. North Orange County, California, USA: 60.
Successful Aging 2019/2021. Santa Barbara County Senior Resource Directory. Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens-Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Santa Maria, CA, USA: 112.
Seniors E-Guide. Seniors Resource Guide. SeniorsResourceGuide.com, LLC, Littleton, CO, USA.
The Elder Resource Guide. Ruthann Dobek, LICSW, Director. Editors: Olga Sliwa, LICSW & Kate Jovin, LCSW. Brookline Council on Aging, MA, USA, 1/2020: 359.
The eRegion portal is powered by SRC d.o.o. Ljubljana