The research project on the Independent Life Support Center (ICAVI), developed by researchers from CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research and the School of Health of Santa Maria (ESSSM), with the Portuguese Neuromuscular Association (APN) and the Caregivers Portugal, have just been selected to participate in the Technological Enterprises Training and Acceleration Program, within the scope of the Call for Technology Selection, as part of the Integr@tención project.

Led by CINTESIS/ESSSM researcher José Manuel Silva, ICAVI’s main objective is to monitor and evaluate the development of the CAVI of APN and others, involving the support of personal assistants for people with chronic diseases and limitations in their autonomy, creating alternatives to dependence on relatives or institutions and affirming the right to an independent and self-managed life.

Through this application, we intend to continue the work of optimizing the organization and operation of CAVI (in Portuguese, Independent Life Support Centers), as well as assessing their impact on the quality of life of beneficiaries and assessing the satisfaction of all those involved.

The project Integr@tención aims at promoting the development of products and services that enable and independent life for persons with chronic disabling diseases, and it is funded by the Program INTERREG VA Espanha Portugal (POCTEP) under the leadership of the Fundación INTRAS, a Spanish non-profit organization working n the field.