On Wednesday, the Regional Secretary for Employment and Social Solidarity presented, at Porto Judeu, the project for the social centre of that parish, in the island of Terceira.
Ana Marques said this new infrastructure provides services for the Day Centre, the Night Centre for the elderly and an industrial kitchen to complement existing services such as the kindergarten and in-house assistance for the elderly.
The Secretary emphasised the importance of the establishment of the Night Centre. She said it is one of the fundamental pillars of governmental policy for the elderly.
The Porto Judeu Centre is the first of three to be established, the other two are destined for the parish of Nordeste, in the island of São Miguel and the parish of Flamengos, in the island of Faial.
The Secretary said Night Centres are essential for the provision of social services for the elderly in their communities, reducing their placement in retirement homes, which, in her view, should be a measure of last resort.
Ana Marques also announced a new in-house assistance programme for the elderly, which will begin this weekend.