With families becoming smaller, people living longer, and a decline in cohesion among family members, a growing number of families and individuals are grappling with the issue of caring for elderly relatives. Eight months back, the Granadilla de Abona City Council introduced a municipal home assistance service called Asiste23. This service comprises professionals such as social educators, physiotherapists, and psychologists, including Pablo Fernández. One of the therapists, Pablo Fernández, shares stories, strategies, and patient responses: “In our culture, there’s a strong reluctance to place the elderly in care centres. Sadly, this belief hampers the well-being of the elderly. The Latin culture often perceives it as abandonment,” stated the psychologist.
Asiste23 prioritizes families without sufficient support or individuals who require round-the-clock assistance. “Those with limited independence are given priority since families with more resources have greater options,” clarified the specialist. Dependence is defined as an inability to carry out basic daily tasks without assistance.
Pablo notes that there is a widespread lack of awareness regarding such services as they benefit not just the dependent individual but also the family as a whole.
The project focuses on five key objectives. First, cognitive stimulation involves tasks like mental arithmetic or memory exercises. Furthermore, it aims to provide emotional relief for both the dependent individual and the family. It also aims to facilitate behavioural change, which addresses issues like caregiver burnout. Lastly, and most importantly for Fernández, is social support, or what he calls “therapeutic walks along El Médano beach.”
“Often, after emotional relief, the next step is companionship. This involves genuine, intimate conversations, often held on El Médano beach. In cases where patients have been homebound for months, these therapeutic walks prove effective. Human beings are social creatures and require social interactions,” shared Pablo. Despite seeming straightforward, families may overlook this step, leaving therapists to be the confidants instead.
“Caregivers are often seen as the strong ones behind closed doors, which hinders them from receiving support from the family,” he affirmed. Overcommitment may lead to psychosomatic issues, sleeping problems, or even work abandonment. “For a caregiving structure to function effectively, everyone must play their part. If one fails, the therapist steps in to realign the dynamics. Those assuming multiple roles to the detriment of others are hindering the system,” explained Pablo.
Fernández highlighted that “often patients lose touch with their families further exacerbating the situation.” He stressed that “there’s strong resistance in our culture towards using dedicated care facilities for the elderly.” He emphasised the misinterpretation of such actions: “Latin cultures perceive it as abandonment whereas in cultures like the German, it is a sense of duty to provide care in dedicated centres.”
