‘Today I can help. Tomorrow somebody helps me.’ Founded in 2018, this non-profit association offers an innovative provision and care model – local groups already exist in Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Vienna. Unlike conventional care systems, it involves volunteers and uses a digital platform to network those seeking help with those offering help. Members receive credited care hours for their care work. These can then be redeemed when they are needed. Those who need care but have not saved any hours themselves pay eight euros an hour. Some of this money goes into administration, some into insurance and an emergency account. This account is used when care cannot be found within the geographical area of the network.
Zeitpolster (time cushion), from 2018
With thanks to Gernot Jochum-Müller and the Zeitpolster association for the explanatory video.
