The Buenavista del Norte City Council has decided to get involved in the fight against the unwanted loneliness of the elderly who reside in this town of the Baja Island. With the help of a grant of 71,429 euros, provided by the General Directorate of Social Rights of the Government of the Canary Islands, an accompaniment project is started at home for the elderly who, involuntarily, live alone. The challenge of avoiding the social isolation of these neighbors will be in the hands of a team of five professionals: a psychologist, a physiotherapist, two social integrators and a social worker.
From the Consistory Buenavistero It is detailed that the main objectives of this social project are “to prevent and support elderly people in a situation of loneliness, also reinforcing their home care; accompany the elderly in their homes, promoting an improvement in their quality of life, and develop tasks to avoid and mitigate these situations of unwanted loneliness “.
The Councilor for Social Welfare of the Buenavista del Norte City Council, Esteban Lorenzo (Yes you can), considers that “for Municipal Social Services It is essential to be able to be next to those people who demand company or it is detected that they live in a situation of unwanted loneliness. This is one of the situations that a large part of the elderly population is facing and means must be put in place to try to combat it and favor, in addition to support at home, spaces in which the elderly can meet and share their concerns and hobbies “.
The General Directorate of Social Rights of the Government of the Canary Islands finances the initiative with a contribution of 71,429 euros
This new resource will integrate into its methodology “strategies to enhance the cognitive, physical, functional, social or emotional and affective capacities of the elderly, with the aim of preventing or delaying situations of dependency, fostering independence and personal autonomy, improving self-esteem and favoring an adequate psycho-affective state. “In addition, it will seek to improve the conditions of coexistence of the elderly person in their family environment and carry out actions to also improve equality between men and women of advanced ages.
The Councilor for Social Services, Esteban Lorenzo (SSP), sees “essential” to be next to the neighbors who “demand company”
The objectives set will be achieved through direct visits to the elderly, “to encourage them, guide them and connect them with the activities carried out from the rest of the centers and services of the municipality”; intergenerational activities, and the creation of new community ties.
Buenavista City Council hopes to help with this project to reduce the cases of unwanted loneliness, and to improve the physical and cognitive capacities of the participating elderly people, and their socialization. “In this way we will contribute to bring more happiness to the life of the community of older people in the municipality,” says the councilor for the social area, Esteban Lorenzo.
