Kraft-Copilot: Project for young people caring for family members

Around 50% of those in need of care in Germany are cared for by relatives. This includes an increasing number of young people between the ages of 18 and 27 (Young Adult Carers - YAC) who care for a family member. At the Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation (CODIP) at TU Dresden, a project is now starting that aims to improve the quality of life and health literacy of this group.

With the "Kraft-Copilot", the CODIP is developing and testing a participatory learning and networking platform where young, informal carers can further their education and exchange ideas with each other. Many YAC find themselves caught between the responsibility of caring for family members on the one hand and the realisation of their own life goals such as work, education, family or leisure time on the other. For this reason, the platform is designed in such a way that support offers are suggested according to the respective individual circumstances and resources. In addition to gamified learning offers, there will also be target group-oriented further education offers or networking opportunities with other YAC. The proposed offers can take place both in the digital space and in presence. With the help of artificial intelligence, the platform learns during the application to tailor further recommendations precisely to the needs of the user.

A fundamental component of the project is the direct involvement of the target group. In addition to interviews and questionnaires, a citizens' advisory board of informal caregivers will be involved throughout the project. The participatory development and close-knit feedback is intended to support the acceptance and use of the technologies introduced and thus facilitate long-term everyday care.

The project funded by the BMBF has a duration of one year in the feasibility study. It will begin on 1 August 2022 and has a volume of 0.25 million euros. The partners include:

• Saxon State Association for Health Promotion e.V.
• Trägerwerk Soziale Dienste wohnen plus... gGmbH
• Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

Project website

Contact:
Dr. Sandra Schulz
Project Coordinator
Phone: +49 351 463-32750