Daily-Care Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Entity which complete it
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Where it takes place
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Project link
Why is it a good practice of the Person-Centered Model?
Project managed by the Croatian Red Cross – Županja headquarters, offering a day center service for adults with intellectual disabilities. The program combines accessible transport, rehabilitation activities, educational workshops, inclusive leisure and psychosocial support, replacing institutional models with personalized community supports.
Person-centered approach: Based on individualized interventions designed by specialized professionals and volunteers, prioritizing the preferences and capacities of each person. The center promotes active participation in the community and development of skills for daily living.
Integrated Assessment (Person, Family, Housing) and Life History
The Day Care Center of the Croatian Red Cross in Županja offers support to adults and older people who need assistance in daily life, often due to disability, chronic illness or social vulnerability. When a person enters the service, staff typically assess their functional abilities, social situation, living environment, family involvement and daily routines. This holistic understanding helps identify what each person needs to maintain dignity and independence at home. The approach takes into account the person’s history, support network and living conditions, recognising that care must respond to the individual, not just the impairment.
Personalised Care and Support Plan for the Life Project
Based on this assessment, a personalised support plan is designed. It may include daily supervision, occupational activities, rehabilitation exercises, social engagement, support with meals or hygiene, and transportation when needed. The plan aims to maintain or improve autonomy, reduce isolation and allow the person to continue living in the community instead of entering institutional care. The service adapts to each individual’s abilities and goals, supporting them to live safely and meaningfully in their familiar environment.
Support groups
The center provides opportunities for social interaction, group activities, joint meals and community events. These group settings help individuals build friendships, reduce loneliness and share experiences with others facing similar life challenges. While not formal therapeutic support groups, these gatherings create an atmosphere of mutual encouragement, social belonging and emotional support — often essential for older adults and people with disabilities.
Case Management and Resource Coordinator
Staff at the center act as coordinators who help individuals access additional services: social welfare benefits, medical appointments, home-care support, assistive devices or community programmes. They maintain regular communication with families, social workers, health services and local authorities. This coordination ensures continuity of care and helps people navigate the system, preventing situations of neglect or unnecessary institutionalisation. The center thus functions as both a direct service provider and a link to broader community resources.
Highlined results
Has favored community inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities in Županja, improved their emotional well-being and strengthened their functional competencies. The model constitutes a viable alternative to institutionalization and an example of local good practice with replicability potential.
Inspiring ideas for other enviorments. It can works! 😉
This model shows how a local day-care center can prevent isolation, support ageing in place and empower people with disabilities to remain part of their community. It proves that effective support does not always require residential placement — community-based day services can maintain autonomy, protect wellbeing and strengthen social ties. The Croatian Red Cross model can easily be adapted in other regions: small, community-rooted structures providing personalised care, social participation and coordinated support.
Other observations
Croatian Red Cross – Županja