Conference Program

The unprecedented population ageing and socio-economic inequalities between developed and developing countries create a strong nexus between the high demand for H24 and personalised long-term care and the offer of low-paid and under-skilled healthcare migrant workforce. On the one hand, the lack of knowledge and competences exposes migrant care workers (MCWs) to a high risk of work discrimination and social exclusion and older people to a higher risk to receive low quality care. On the other side, there is a scarce offer of health and eldercare education tailored for migrants.

This study presents the results of the HERO project (Erasmus+ Program, ID: KA204-0C583C5), which co-designed and implemented an original eldercare training curriculum for migrants and refugees in four countries (Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Portugal). The training consisted in 100 hours of lesson (78 face-to-face lessons and 22 of internship). It was implemented in 2022 and reached 83 migrants and refugees (58 women and 24 men) in the four study countries.

The impact of the training on the 83 trainees’ quality of life and social inclusion was assessed through a mixed-method approach including the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. A SWOT analysis highlighted strengths and weaknesses of the training, while four ideal-types of migrant learners were drawn, in order to optimise the learning process by designing tailored educational pathways. Some tips for future research and policy are given to improve education and social inclusion as well as to promote social rights of migrants and refugees even in a gender perspective.