This project aims to alleviate the effects of unwanted loneliness and prevent situations of risk for the elderly through collaboration between administrations, entities and citizen participation.
The Department of Social Welfare of the Consell Insular de Menorca, together with all the island’s town councils, has presented the ‘Radars’ project, a community programme aimed at alleviating the effects of unwanted loneliness and preventing risk situations among the elderly.
The main idea is to strengthen relations between the elderly and their environment and to facilitate access to resources and leisure activities. A project in which collaboration between administrations, social entities, businesses, neighbours and families is fundamental. This is articulated through the creation of a neighbourhood network that has several spaces for participation. The basis of this network is formed by neighbours, shopkeepers, pharmacists, hairdressers, bankers, social entities and many others who, with a sensitive and respectful eye, are attentive to the behaviour of the elderly and if they detect any change, they contact the programme.
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The Consell Insular and Town Councils of Menorca present the community action project ‘Radars’
Once informed, Social Services will assess whether or not to intervene. ‘From the municipal services of each town council, which are in contact with the population and are already detecting some possible users, there has to be a coordinator who dynamises all the social spaces, volunteers, the social fabric, health personnel…. Each participant has a different task and the figure of the volunteers is also very important, as they can later accompany them to the doctor, to do some paperwork, call them daily, etc.’, explained Melissa Manota, island director of Elderly People, Dependency and Functional Diversity of the Consell Insular.
‘A worrying fact is that one of the main causes of this growing unwanted loneliness is related to the increase in single-person households. The most prevalent group in this regard are the elderly, many of whom live alone. If we add factors such as dependency, disability or social vulnerability, we find an explosive cocktail that can have a very negative impact on the mental and emotional health of those who suffer from it. A circumstance that occurs in Menorca, where for years there has been a progressive ageing of the population’, argued Carmen Reynés, councillor of the department.
In addition, the programme includes a personalised care plan, with the aim of offering activities, workshops and other meeting spaces, both individual and group, to promote social integration for those detected. ‘The importance of this initiative is not only to detect people in isolation, but also to prevent loneliness, offering emotional and social accompaniment and, above all, creating a supportive community environment that allows these people to feel supported and integrated into society. However, it is not only aimed at older people, but at anyone in general, regardless of age. We want to run an awareness-raising campaign to encourage citizen participation in this project,’ Reynés made clear.