Funding tool: Applied research projects
Project-ID: FTI25-A-008
Project start: February 10^th, 2027
Project end: January 10^th, 2030
Runtime: 36 months / not yet started
Funding amount: € 359.862,00

Brief summary:
Background: Demographic changes are poised to drive a substantial rise in family caregivers, who face various health risks such as occupational imbalance, stress and physical strain. Although governments and municipalities have implemented diverse support measures like respite care, financial aids and counseling, these services often remain under-utilized due to barriers like restrictive eligibility criteria, time constraints or lack of clear information. Goal: This project hence aims to co-design NICO, an intelligent browser-based online solution, that leverages advanced chatbot and machine learning technologies to help informal caregivers in Lower Austria easily find and access personalized services that support their occupational balance. Methods: The project runs two phases. Phase 1 defines the scope and objectives of the online solution, gather data from public authority websites and NGOs, and map current support measures to identify gaps and underserved populations. Phase 2 focuses on developing and validating machine learning models to analyze and categorize support services, benchmarking these models against existing solutions, and refining them through co-design workshops with stakeholders. Impact: This project advances the understanding of occupational balance support services for informal caregivers by addressing accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented groups. By developing an innovative online solution using a life course and occupational science framework, it bridges critical gaps in public health, empowering caregivers to access essential resources and maintain their occupational balance and well-being.

Keywords:
informal care, health technology, occupational balance, support service, intelligent products