The Cabildo opens the Island Office for the elderly in The lagoon. The president of the corporation, Pedro Martín, values ”a place to listen to them, give them assistance and information, connect them with the activities that are carried out in the municipalities of the Island and facilitate their social participation.” This new resource will provide, fundamentally, street service, in order to make the island’s groups aware of the wide range of activities and services of the Conecta Mayores program. Martín emphasizes that “it is a project that has been waiting years and in this mandate it becomes a reality.”
The president values the work with this segment of the population through “a model of care based on closeness and accompaniment, centered on people to be closer, listen to their needs and adjust policies and actions to their reality”. He adds: “Especially, to the elderly who are in a situation of vulnerability.”
A meeting space
Martín emphasizes that it is a space “for meetings so that they have the opportunity to participate in community activities, share experience ». He emphasizes: «In short, that they feel useful and capable as citizens and citizens of Tenerife».
Also participating in this visit was the counselor of Citizen participation and Diversity, Nauzet Gugliotta; that of Equality and Prevention of Gender Violence, Priscila de Lion; the Councilor for Social Welfare of La Laguna, Rubens Ascanio, and the Councilor for Culture of Aguere, Yaiza López. There were also representatives of the Insular Council of the Mayor of all the regions of the Island.
they did not lack Associations that work with the elderlysuch as Antón Guanche, from Candelaria, Home of the Pensioner Padre Anchieta (La Laguna) and El Chapatal from Santa Cruz.
The first deputy mayor of La Laguna, Rubens Ascanio, points out that “it is a source of pride to have this service from which to care for all the elderly people on the Island” Ascanio highlighted that “La Laguna is the first town in Canary Islands which has been recognized with the title of Friendly Municipality with the elderly. In this sense, he appreciates that he has always been very involved with the policies aimed at these people. He considers that “this space is one more instrument to facilitate the participation and accompaniment of the residents here and the citizens of the Island.”
For his part, Nauzet Gugliotta explains that “the opening of this Island Office is part of the Connect Seniors programpromoted through the Social Action area with the aim of improving the well-being and quality of life of the elderly, facilitating their social integration and promoting active and healthy ageing”.
This service will make it possible to collect information on everything related to leisure, tourism, places in residences or care programs at home or family accompaniment, among other resources.
Gugliotta, places particular emphasis on the fact that the office will not only have these uses, without the fact that “it is a street service to inform the groups and associations of the Island about the activities and services of Conecta Mayores.
A team of facilitators will visit the entities, associations and administrations to promote the associative fabric and channel their participation in the actions and activities of the council.
The Conecta Mayores program will have an information and dissemination point in the property, as well as a participation point to listen to the elderly in Tenerife and who can make suggestions or requests.
The office is located at Calle Bencomo 19 de The lagoon. It will provide services in person, by telephone and electronically, with initial service hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The elderly population, 65 years of age or older as the established limit, that can potentially be cared for in this insular resource amounts to 150,000 people, a rising figure.