Terms of Reference (ToR) 

Development of the Home Care Training Manual 

1. Background 

Caritas Kosova (CK) and Mother Teresa Society (MTS) are partners in implementing the  C.A.R.E.S. project in Kosovo. This project aims to improve the health and well-being of  vulnerable and marginalized populations, particularly older women and people with  disabilities, through professional, gender-sensitive home care services, psychosocial  support, and advocacy. 

A significant focus of the project is on improving care for individuals with dementia,  ensuring that caregivers are equipped to address the complex needs of patients with  cognitive impairments while providing support for their families. 

The C.A.R.E.S. project is funded by Caritas Austria through the Federal Ministry of the  Republic of Austria for Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection. 

2. Partner Organizations  

2.1 Caritas Kosova (CK) 

Since 2009, Caritas Kosova has been providing integrated health and social care services  in Kosovo. Its Home Care project, modeled on the German system of home care,  delivers combined health and social services to elderly individuals, people with  disabilities, and bedridden patients. These services are recognized by Kosovo’s Ministry  of Health and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. CK continues to advocate for  improved healthcare services and legislative reforms. 

2.2 Mother Teresa Society (MTS) 

Mother Theresa Society employs a multi-dimensional approach to improve the well-being  and quality of life for vulnerable individuals and communities by integrating health,  social, psychosocial, and transportation services. Committed to social justice and human  dignity, MTS ensures that no one is excluded from accessing equitable healthcare  services while driving systemic change through advocacy and direct service provision. 

3. Objective 

To develop a comprehensive Home Care Training Manual that equips home care  professionals, including nurses, social workers, public health practitioners, and family  caregivers, with the knowledge and skills to deliver effective, compassionate, and  culturally sensitive home-based care. 

The manual will have a particular focus on dementia care, equipping caregivers with the  skills to manage cognitive impairments, provide emotional support, and address family  dynamics effectively. 

The manual will align with the accreditation process of Kosovo Accreditation Agency  (KAA), including the Kosovo Chamber of Nursing, providing licensure, creditable points,  and compliance with local health standards and laws to support the broader accreditation  process. 

4. Scope of Work 

The selected experts or company will: 

1. Conduct a needs assessment to identify training requirements for home care  professionals, with special attention to dementia care. 
2. Develop practical and concise training modules covering clinical and non-clinical  aspects of home care. 
3. Align the manual with the legal framework, local health standards, and the rules  of the Kosovo Chamber of Nursing, incorporating international best practices. 
4. Address cultural, contextual, and gender-specific needs of beneficiaries,  particularly for elderly and marginalized populations, including those with  cognitive impairments. 
5. Review and adapt relevant international documents, requiring proficiency in  English and/or German. 
6. Develop and deliver pilot-ready training modules, including facilitator guidance,  for testing and feedback by project staff or trainers designated by CK and MTS. 
7. The selected experts or company will develop the training manual and  accompanying materials; they will not be responsible for implementing or  maintaining training sessions. 

5. Proposed Topics for the Training Manual 

5.1 Alignment and Accreditation Goals The manual shouldl align with the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) and the Kosovo  Chamber of Nursing to support accreditation and licensure compliance. This alignment  ensures that participants not only gain practical knowledge and skills but also achieve  recognized certification that contributes to their professional development. By meeting  accreditation standards, the manual supports Kosovo’s efforts to modernize its  healthcare system and enhance the quality of home care services. 

Initially targeting project staff, the manual will serve as a scalable model for training a  broader group of healthcare professionals. It will address the diverse needs of male and  female beneficiaries, emphasizing an inclusive, gender-sensitive, and culturally relevant  approach to home care delivery.

Key Topics 

1. Introduction to Home-Based Care 

• Overview of home-based care: Purpose, benefits, and challenges. 
• Addressing geriatric and chronic care needs (e.g., diabetes, hypertension,  arthritis, dementia, osteoporosis, kidney diseases). 
• Principles of patient-centered and needs-based rehabilitation, emphasizing  mobile care approaches. 
• Developing personalized care plans tailored to meet individual needs. 

2. Health Education and Promotion 

• Promoting healthy aging: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress  management. 
• Chronic disease management: Self-care techniques, medication  adherence, and prevention of secondary diseases. 
• Care for patients with physical limitations, rheumatic diseases, and kidney  disorders. 
• Palliative care principles: Comfort care, symptom management, and family  involvement. 

3. Communication, Documentation, and Ethical Care 

• Effective communication with patients, families, and stakeholders in care  planning. 
• Ethical considerations: Patient rights, informed consent, safeguarding, and  respecting cultural and gender-specific needs. 
• Non-violent care approaches: De-escalation strategies and conflict  resolution. 
• Accurate documentation, including assessments, care plans, and progress  notes, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards. 

4. Dementia and Cognitive Support 

• Understanding dementia: Types, symptoms, early detection, and  progression. 
• Communication techniques and behavior management for cognitive  impairments. 
• Providing practical tools for healthcare providers and families to address  dementia-related challenges. 
• Organizing workshops and strategies to manage cognitive decline and  support caregivers. 

5. Personal Care and Safety 

• Maintaining dignity and privacy during personal care tasks (e.g., bathing,  grooming, dressing).
• Conducting home safety assessments, including fall prevention and assistive device use.
• Training in safe patient handling techniques: Proper lifting, moving, and repositioning methods.
  
• Emergency response training: Recognizing critical signs and managing escalation effectively.

6. Provider Training and Mental Health 

• Training on essential caregiving tasks for healthcare providers. 
• Recognizing and addressing signs of stress, burnout, and compassion  fatigue in caregivers. 
• Providing emotional and psychosocial support for patients and families. o Building resilience and self-care strategies for home care professionals. 

6. Target Group 

• Home care providers, including nurses, social workers, certified public health  practitioners, and family caregivers. 

7. Expected Length and Format of the Training Manual 

The Home Care Training Manual will be a comprehensive yet concise resource, designed  to meet the needs of home care professionals and family caregivers while aligning with  the accreditation process of the Kosovo Chamber of Nursing. 

7.1 Structure and Length: 

• The manual will consist of six modules, each covering a critical aspect of home based care. 
• The total length should not exceed 60 pages, ensuring it remains practical,  engaging, and accessible for a wide audience. 
• Each module should span an average of 8–10 pages, tailored to balance detailed  content with user-friendly navigation. 

7.2. Design Features: 

To ensure the manual is visually appealing and easy to use, the following elements  should be included: 

• The manual will be available as a digital PDF, optimized for both online viewing  and print distribution, ensuring accessibility for all users. 
• Clear headings and subheadings will be organized for intuitive navigation, making  it easy for readers to locate key information. 
• Graphics and visual aids, such as charts, diagrams, and images, will be integrated  to simplify complex concepts and enhance understanding.
• Practical exercises and checklists will provide hands-on tools and step-by-step  guidance to support real-world caregiving applications. 
• Case studies and examples will include context-specific scenarios, particularly  relevant to caregiving in Kosovo, to bridge theory and practice. 

8. Expected Deliverables 

• A culturally relevant and user-friendly Home Care Training Manual. 
• Comprehensive training materials (e.g., handouts, brochures, and evaluation  tools) to be used by facilitators and trainees. 
• Submit a final report summarizing the development process and  recommendations for future use of the manual, based on feedback collected and  shared by CK and MTS during the piloting phase. 

9. Timeline and Budget
The manual should be completed within three to four months from the date of contract
signing, covering all phases, including needs assessment, manual development, piloting,
and finalization. The budget should account for research, content development, piloting,
and stakeholder consultations. The approximate budget allocated solely for the
development of the home care manual is 2,500 euros.
10. Evaluation Criteria

• Proven experience in home care, healthcare trainings and manual development.
• Understanding of local home care and healthcare challenges, local health standards, and the legal framework in Kosovo.
• Familiarity with the rules and requirements of Kosovo Accreditation Agency, including the Kosovo Chamber of Nursing.
• Clear and practical methodology with a feasible timeline.
• Proficiency in English and/or German to read, analyze, and adapt existing international documents and best practices.
• Cost-effectiveness of the proposal.
• Experience in aligning training materials with local and international accreditation standards will be considered an asset.
• A proposed budget that aligns with the project budget will be given priority.

11. Submission Guidelines
Interested parties (experts, company, or organizations) should submit the following:

• A technical proposal detailing the methodology and timeline.
• A financial proposal covering all project-related costs.
• Examples of similar on home care previously completed.
• CVs of key team members demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience.

12. Contact Information
For inquiries or for submission of applications, please contact Caritas Kosova via email at [email protected] and [email protected]; In the subject line, please specify the position you are applying for.
The call for proposals will be open from March 20, 2025, to March 27, 2025.