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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure GR-2020-14/683 Updated – measures in Greece

Athens home care programme for people in need

Πρόγραμμα Βοήθεια στο Σπίτι Plus, Δήμος Αθηναίων, 01.04.2020

Country Greece , applies locally

    • – EL3 ATTIKΗ (ATTIKI)
Time period Open ended, started on 01 April 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Measures to prevent social hardship
– Provision of services in kind (e.g. food vouchers)
Author Elena Kousta (INE GSEE) and Eurofound
Measure added 16 April 2020 (updated 27 May 2021)

Background information

The Municipality of Athens has introduced its “Help at Home Plus” program which aims to support vulnerable groups deal with the COVID-19 crisis. “Help at Home Plus” is addressed to Athens’ residents that face diseases and medical emergencies; the elderly that cannot receive help from their family; and people that are alone. Its services are offered at home by social workers, medical staff and the program’s assistants, and include counseling, medical care, as well as the delivery of basic goods such as medicines and groceries.

Content of measure

The Municipality of Athens' existing “Help at Home” program, extended its scheme aiming to receive and meet the demands of Athens’ residents that are affected by the measures imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Help at Home Plus” is addressed to Athens’ residents that face diseases and medical emergencies; the elderly that cannot receive help from their family; and people that are alone. Its services are offered at home by social workers, medical staff and the program’s assistants, and include counseling, medical care, as well as the delivery of basic goods such as medicines and groceries. Athens’ residents can report their needs by phone.

It should be mentioned that the Ministry of Interior's Circular sent to 332 municipalities and 13 regions of the country defines the way of "Strengthening municipal structures of social policy and solidarity - Employment of local government staff and their legal entities during the adoption of measures to avoid and limiting coronary propagation - COVID-19 ”.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

30 April 2021

The program “Help at Home Plus” of the Municipality of Athens continues to be in effect and its expiration date is still unknown.

Use of measure

“Help at Home Plus” is addressed to Athens’ residents that face diseases and medical emergencies; the elderly that cannot receive help from their family; and people that are alone.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Older citizens
The COVID-19 risk group
Disabled

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
Local / regional government
Local funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement as case not in social partner domain No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

There is no any involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

No involvement.

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Athens home care programme for people in need, measure GR-2020-14/683 (measures in Greece), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/GR-2020-14_683.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.