Informal carers — often family members or friends — play a vital role in supporting older people and those living with chronic or cognitive conditions. Despite their essential contribution, they frequently remain under-recognised and under-supported within long-term care systems.

This Laurel webinar will explore how integrated care approaches can better support informal carers by strengthening skills, improving coordination with health and social services, and addressing mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The 75-minute session will bring together European projects, real-world case studies, and lived experience, focusing on practical solutions and policy-relevant insights. Topics will include health monitoring and medication management, navigating care pathways, communication with care services, and building resilience in emotionally demanding care roles.

The programme will feature contributions from the WELLCARE project, alongside case studies from Progetto Caregiver Bergamo (Italy) and Family Carers Ireland, highlighting concrete initiatives that support informal carers through training, coordinated services, and community-based approaches.

The webinar will conclude with an open discussion on how informal carers can be better recognised as essential partners in integrated long-term care systems, and what further action is needed at local, national, and EU levels.

The webinar will be recorded, and slides and a brief report will be made available after the event.

More details about the webinar on the official LAUREL website.