Leader: Rabih Chattat (UNIBO); Other collaborator(s): UNIMOL, UNIBO, INRCA
Care-work is a significant field of research for the labour market: on the one side, the strong presence of female workers leads to a dynamic of segregation, exclusion and exploitation; on the other side, ageing claims for greater investment in long-term care services, together with the growing female employment rate in the labour market, which has decreased the availability of unpaid care work. The lack of adequate economic resources, the shortage of workforce and the under-financing of personal assistance as a consequence of the privatisation of care services heavily affected working conditions in care sector. The recent Italian reform on older people (law n.33/2023) defines measures aimed at improving home and continuous care for dependent older people and their families (caregivers), as well as promoting policies in favour of active ageing. Additionally, the pandemic stressed the role of care-work in areas that are naturally disadvantaged from a geographical point of view, such as remote, mountainous or sparsely populated areas (so called “inner areas”). This task will:
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results:
In order to co-design the training modules with end-users (i.e., formal and informal caregivers, including home workers with migrant backgrounds) semi-structured interviews and focus groups have been completed.
Specifically, the data collection consisted of:
Collected data were analysed by the means of content analysis, and codes, themes and sub-themes were generated for each target (i.e., informal, formal caregivers and migrant care workers) related data. Results from focus groups and interviews mainly dealt with the participants’ experiences as caregivers, the impact of caregiving on their lives, and training needs.
Then, results from literature review (which was carried out in the first-year project) and qualitative data analysis were grouped for each target to generate a draft of core contents to be included into our supporting information/training platform. Based on the so identified structure of training modules, we found that some contents (e.g., aging, dementia and prevention, person-centred care) are common across tasks, while others are specific to each target.
Currently, we are working on delivering a syllabus for each module which includes the main objectives, contents and materials (slide presentations, tutorials etc.). Furthermore, we are looking for collaborations within the Spoke 5 and outside to integrate the platform contents and link them to other resources useful for caregivers.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications
Without prior knowledge and training, it is difficult to cope and adjust to caregiver roles. Since caregivers often do not receive information on crucial aspects of care, education and training represent a significant form of support for them. This is important both to ensure high-quality care for older adults living with dementia and to reduce caregivers’ stress.
Formal training and the dissemination of the research results are part of the process of knowledge transfer to all end users involved in care, with potential positive impact on the sustainability of our ageing society and the implementation of a successful model of ageing communities.
We wish to reach this by:
The output of WP5 will be informed by the results of the other WPs, and links to community resources useful for caregivers will be embedded within the platform as well.
To obtain a framework for the content on the platform, each task (5.2., 5.4., 5.6.) conducted a literature review regarding its topic of expertise..
Then, each task participated in the data collection phase to co-design the platform and its content. Specifically, interviews and focus groups were conducted with formal and informal caregivers, foreign family care assistants and social workers.
Moreover, contributions were presented at national and international conferences.
Each task (5.2., 5.4., 5.6.) participated in the construction and revision of the lessons that will constitute the content of the platform. Specifically, the following learning modules were prepared: ageing, dementia and prevention, communication, diagnosis, person-centered care, therapy, practical techniques for working alongside the person with dementia, home management, ethical and legal aspects, services for people affected by dementia, emergency management, the care of the caregiver, services available for caregiver and support communities, dementia and communication, self-care, legal aspect of labour, technologies and active ageing, care relationships, territorial networks and services, basi elements of dementia, the biographical folder of the patient, medical and legal aspect of non-self sufficiency.
Moreover, contributions were presented at national and international conferences.
Moreover, contributions were presented at national and international conferences.
During this period, significant progress was made in reviewing and refining the learning modules, ensuring their relevance, clarity, and alignment with the needs of formal and informal caregivers, family care assistant with a migration background and social service professionals.
Furthermore, members of each task started collaborating with the external company hired to design the e-learning platform. Meetings were held to review progress, provide feedback, and ensure that the design and development of the platform can be closely aligned with the needs identified in the co-design phase. This collaboration between researchers and the company ought to allow for the integration of user-centered features into the platform, with particular attention to user experience, usability, and functionality. The research team aim to ensure that all technological developments remain consistent with the project’s goals of accessibility, equity, and social inclusion.
Furthermore, contributions continued to be presented at national and international conferences.
During this period, a significant advancement in the development of the e-learning platform was achieved. Following the outcome of the public call ("bando pubblico"), a cooperative and a technology company were officially selected to design and implement the platform. Eventually, the platform will take the form of a chatbot, in which the learning modules will be integrated.
Researchers from the involved tasks engaged in a series of coordination meetings with representatives of the cooperative to oversee the development process and ensure alignment with the educational and user-centered objectives previously defined during the co-design phase. These meetings enabled a continuous exchange of feedback, in order to ensure that the technical development reflects the needs of formal and informal caregivers, migrant care workers, and professionals in the sector.
In parallel, the research team has begun converting the learning modules into textual datasets that will serve as input for the training of the chatbot. This process involves adapting the content to ensure that it is both comprehensive and consistent, so it can be effectively processed and utilized by the underlying language model. Particular attention is being paid to the accuracy and accessibility of the language, as well as to the thematic organization of the material, in order to enable meaningful and contextually appropriate responses by the chatbot once deployed.
This phase marks a crucial transition from content development to implementation, reinforcing the project's commitment to innovation, digital inclusion, and support for caregivers through technologically mediated education and training solutions.
During this period, researchers finalised the textual materials derived from the learning modules, which now constitute the knowledge base of the chatbot. These materials were reviewed and adapted to ensure clarity, thematic coherence, and accessibility for all target users, including formal and informal caregivers, migrant care workers, and social professionals.
In parallel, researchers closely supervised the production process carried out by the selected technology company. This phase included the development of the chatbot’s Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture and the integration of the finalised knowledge base into the system. Regular coordination meetings ensured continuous alignment between the technical implementation and the pedagogical objectives identified during the co-design phase.
A first demo version of the chatbot was completed and delivered. Researchers are currently conducting internal testing activities to assess the chatbot’s performance, with specific attention to the relevance, accuracy, and clarity of the responses provided. This testing phase aims to identify areas for refinement in preparation for a broader user evaluation.
Moreover, academic dissemination activities continued throughout the quarter. Members of the research team authored academic articles based on the methodological and empirical findings of the project and presented them at national and international conferences.