The Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity visited the nursery home of the Santa Cruz da Graciosa Santa Casa da Misericórdia in the context of the Government’s statutory visit to Graciosa. Ana Paula Marques announced a support of 150 thousand Euros for the first stage of the works to remodel and renew the building which is over 20 years.

At the first stage, these works will focus on the remodelling of the roof, pavements and on the building’s painting. The bathrooms will be adapted to receive the technical aids that are today required by law and the kitchen will be remodelled to meet the requirements in force.

Nonetheless, bearing in mind the building’s features and its use (nearly 50 elderly, some over 90), the Regional Government considers the extension of this support next year, in order to provide a response to the current difficulties.

The Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity considers that, although these structures are outdated, because the Government intends to build smaller ones, “those that exist should be properly maintained.” Hence, “an evaluation of these infrastructures will start in the coming days to ascertain the users’ well-being, as well as their psychological condition. Despite being cleaned and nourished, everything else that is related to the human and social aspects and to the friendliness is missing.

Building smaller structures, thus privileging day and night centres, conviviality centres for the elderly who desire to remain closer to their normal life is the strategy of the Regional Government.

The proximity services will be the Government’s main priority for the elderly in the future.