Terms of Reference

for conducting a research “Getting Older” within the scope of the project” Innovation for Health” implemented by Armenian Caritas and financed by Caritas Austria, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Austria, Caritas Spain and MLSA of the Republic of Armenia

 

Background:

The number of citizens over 65 years is increasing in Armenia like in many countries in the world. The needs of elderly people are more varied than before. Their care is an important issue not only for economic reasons, but also because of citizens’ universal rights. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. This equality does not change with age: older men and women have the same rights as younger ones. Despite this, older people often face discrimination, related to their age, among which are access to health care, violence and abuse in relation to housing, privacy and the like.

Starting from the date of its establishment Armenian Caritas (AC) has implemented numerous projects targeting the needs of older people and their families, among which were provision of home and day-care services, socialization and engagement in handicrafts, heating support and other social assistance. As a result of the implementation of these projects Armenian Caritas finds it essential to continue its efforts in the frame-work of family-based support, with the main focus on elderly care and protection of their health and well-being. Investing in home care projects and day care centres for the older people since 2002, Armenian Caritas provides community based complex services by a multi-professional team through the support of different international and local donors.

By implementing the project “Innovation for Health” on the one hand AC tries to improve the healthcare of vulnerable groups through the provision of quality integrated care services. This includes the provision of homecare services, distribution of food packages, hygiene items and personal protective equipment to satisfy the beneficiaries’ basic needs, as well as raising their awareness on Covid-19 related protective measures. On the other hand, AC tries to strengthen local health systems by increasing the knowledge of staff, volunteers and other local stakeholders.

Among the provided home care services, the most important role plays healthcare support.

Healthcare systems worldwide invariably begin with medical services to look after the sick, then preventive care services to prevent illness and promote health. As society matures, long term and end of life care becomes the next area of focus. Even as Armenia’s population ages and prevalence of chronic diseases increase, rising societal expectations with regards to choices and preferences at the end of life create demands for palliative care services that address the needs.

 

The aim of the research

To conduct a research on the accessibility of care services for elderly and to formulate conclusions & concrete recommendations on potential improvements of home and palliative care in Armenia.

 

Objectives of the research

  1. To investigate the quality and accessibility of services for elderly care provided by different service providers and to present the challenges and obstacles.
  2. To study the accessibility of palliative care in Armenia and the possibilities of its integration into the scope of elderly services.
  3. To investigate different funding schemes for services in the field of elderly care, including home and palliative care, among the countries of eastern and western Europe and to provide the comparative analysis of adaptation of some of those schemes to the Armenian reality.
  4. To assess the needs for services in the field of active ageing, home care, and palliative care in Armenia and formulate potential fields of activities for NGOs.
  5. To submit a comprehensive list of recommendations for the improvement of the quality and accessibility of care services to the elderly people.

 

Scope of the research.

The research will be carried out in Armenia. It will address all types of services available for the elderly in Armenia.

 

Period of research conduction

The research should be implemented within 2 months: from March 20, 2022 till May20, 2022.

 

Focus of the research:

The research will assess the general effectiveness of the care services in Armenia, like professionalism of the staff providing services, timeliness of the services, etc.

The following questions can be indicative:

  • What type of care services are available in Armenia?
  • Which organisations are providing care services to elderly?
  • Is the staff professional enough to provide the requested services?
  • What type of challenges and obstacles do the elderly face?
  • Is palliative care accessible in Armenia?
  • Are there values and treasures existing in Armenian culture in treating and caring of vulnerable, moribund and grieving people?
  • Which rituals do exist in Armenian culture? How do relatives, friends, the community, neighbours care for others? What is important to preserve within Armenian culture? What is in danger to disappear?
  • What are the mechanisms for ensuring the continuity and stability of the services?
  • Are paid care services available in Armenia?
  • Are these services accessible for elderly?
  • Who can pay for these services?

 

Methodology

Mixed methodology can be used using both quantitative and qualitative instruments

  1. Interviews with key informants/beneficiaries, stakeholders/
  2. Study, analysis, classification of secondary materials
  3. Focus Group Discussions

 

Deliverables

The experts will be required to present the inception report, which will outline and specify the structure and timeline of the research process.

The final outcomes and recommendations of the research should be delivered in English and Armenian, max 25 pages (electronic copy).

 

The research should be presented according to the following structure:

  1. Cover sheet
  2. Outline / table of contents / list of abbreviations / summary /
  3. Short description

– Aims of the research and methodological approach

– Fundamental findings with reference to the main issues of the ToR
– Conclusions & recommendations

  1. Annexes
    1. ToR
    2. Time table
    3. List of stakeholders
    4. List of reference documents

 

Requirements for the expert

Education and Work experience

General competencies

  • Planning and implementation of research (incl. budgeting, contractual agreements)
  • Professional ethics

 

Methodical competencies

  • Knowledge and skills on the selection of adequate methodology and standards of conducting the research (quantitative and qualitative procedures, simple and complex procedures of data analysis, data processing)

 

For application the candidate should provide the following documents until March 21, 2022

  • CV
  • References
  • Motivation letter
  • Research Proposal (including: background, design/methodology, Action plan, risks and limitations, timeframe and financial proposal)

– E-mail for applications: t.tarakhchyan@caritas.am, info@caritas.am

Please note: “Armenian Caritas” BNGO will invite for the interview only the short-listed applicants from the first documentary stage.