The ambition of the pictogram dictionary is not only to increase the use of home care services by 65+ immigrants, but also to better adapt the offer to their demand.

• Elder migrants of different origins and their family.
• Home care organisations and caretakers.
• Other social workers.
• Organisations in the diversity sector.

The image dictionary contains pictograms of different home care situations as well as the most commonly used concepts in home care. While creating this tool, a lot of attention was given to the process itself and the implication of the future users of the dictionary to enquire about their communication needs. This also helped sensitising people on the existence of home care.
Similar material was explored and home caretakers were accompanied during their work by the project responsable in order to get a better understanding of home care and the communication needs. The icons were tested by two focus groups: one group of elderly immigrants and one group of home caretakers. Based on their feedback, modifications were made where necessary. Nursery students also tested the dictionary.

It was distributed among a large group of elderly migrants and home care organisations and is used by both during the visits of caretakers at home. For more information on the use : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAcicqWQ-hg.

Thanks to this project, 65+ immigrants were informed about the existence of home care. The collaborators of home care organisations were better equipped to work with diversity and to better react on the situation of elder migrants.
The image dictionary also made it easier for caretakers to approach a family that does not speak the local language.
Thanks to the focus groups new partnerships with care organisations were set up and old ones were strengthened. This gave the initiative more reverberation. Other sectors already showed some interest in the tool. (e.g. employment and health sector)

The project can be considered a success. Through networking and sensitisation a rather sensitive topic was made open to debate. The implication of elderly and caretakers from the start was certainly a reason for success. It was not only a product for them, but it was created with them. This together with the preliminary investigation that was done, resulted in a tool that really corresponded to the needs of the target group.
The participation of the different parties involved created a basis for acceptance. Thanks to the networking, the project got amplified and the impact extended.

The reactions of the participants to the focus groups were very positive. According to them, this instrument was a very useful medium and concrete solution to a serious problem, especially since a few woman of the 1st generation are not able to read and write. The different participants were also pleased to ‘discover’ organisations that provide home care services making their lives (and the life's of their children) a little more 'comfortable'. They were very grateful not to be "forgotten".

A total budget of +/-30.000 € was spent. 
The sources were diverse.