Uses of Time

The Targeta Cuidadora, or Carer’s Card, is a tool provided by the Espai Barcelona Cuida (Barcelona Care Centre) that recognises and gives visibility to those who care for people who are elderly, sick, dependent or have disabilities, whether the caregivers are family members or professional domestic and care workers. This card aims to recognise and provide support to caregivers, recognising the essential contribution they make and offering them services and benefits that can help to make their work easier and improve their quality of life.

The main services offered to Carer’s cardholders are the following:
 

• Emotional and psychological support helpline: family carers and domestic and care workers can call the free and anonymous helpline on 900 505 805. Carers who feel overwhelmed, distressed, stressed, or worried can call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will be attended to by a psychology professional.
   
• Emotional support chat for carers: instant messaging service via WhatsApp offering emotional support to family carers and domestic and care workers. This is a free, anonymous, and confidential service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
   
• Advice and support service for hiring domestic workers and carers: both family carers and domestic and care workers have access to this free service for advice and support in processing employment contracts for home care services. The service aims to reduce job insecurity and the informal economy and to promote decent working conditions. Information on labour rights is also provided.
   
• Personalised information, guidance and advice service: the Barcelona Care Space team specialising in care provides personalised assistance, information, guidance and advice to carers on any care-related issue, either in person without an appointment or by telephone.
   
• Catalogue of activities: free activities specifically designed to meet the needs and improve the quality of life of people who act as carers – both family members and domestic and care workers – for a sick, dependent, elderly, or disabled person. The activities are organised into four strategic areas:
   
  • health, self-care, well-being, and personal development.
  • connection, network, and community through leisure and culture.
  • training, education, and professional development and/or development of the role of carer.
  • awareness and rights.
     

• InfoCare newsletter: a monthly or fortnightly newsletter for all users of the Caregiver Card with the latest news, information, and updated services related to care in the city; activities offered by the Caregiver Card, as well as other free activities for caregivers in the city.

   

Time impacts:

• Improvement in the quality of leisure and equity in educational and leisure activities.
• Facilitation of work-life balance.
• Reduction in unpaid workload and support for caregiving.
• Reduction in unwanted loneliness and/or strengthening of social support networks.
• Promotion of social and cultural participation.

More information:
Carer’s Card