On the World Day of the Elderly, which was celebrated on Friday, the Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity visited some elderly on Santa Maria, whose homes are being renewed by the Government of the Azores.

On the occasion, Ana Paula Marques stressed the importance of these initiatives as they are intended to "improve the living conditions of the elderly and, consequently, their well-being."

Also highlighting the experiences and the role of the elderly, the government official said the Azorean Government has been adapting its policies to the different needs of the elderly and their families, focusing its action on the creation of alternatives to institutionalisation, such as home support services, day and night centres, and recreational and leisure activities.

In this context, the Regional Secretary pointed out that in the last 14 years, the number of equipments for the elderly has increased over 100%, from 105 to 216.

In the same period, the number of users benefiting from these equipments rose from 3901 to 8081.

Moreover, Ana Paula Marques stressed the effort undertaken by the Azorean Government through the support for medicines and the Regional Supplementary Pension.

Under the World Day of the Elderly, the Regional Secretary urged families and communities to mobilise themselves in caring for the elderly and recognition, calling for the urgent need to recover the social role of the elderly. It is "imperative that our societies promote the importance of the elderly, giving them with meaningful roles in order to promote their effective integration in a family and social context."