The Nationalist Group (CC-PNC) in the Cabildo of Lanzarote has requested the first institution to promote and participate in the agreement for the Government of the Canary Islands to develop a comprehensive care plan for the elderly population of the Archipelago, "with a transversal character and in response to the situation that, due to the pandemic, people of older age are especially experiencing", and urges it to launch "those initiatives that depend directly on the Island Corporation".
In its motion, the nationalists highlight that throughout this last year "the problems of the elderly have been growing and new difficulties have been added to them." "Therefore, this initiative seeks to put them at the center of parliamentary work and the Government of the Canary Islands, because it is an obligation of our community to attend to them with the dignity they deserve when things get even worse for them," says the deputy spokesperson for CC, Pedro San Ginés.
According to their defense, "this initiative aims to be the beginning of a profound transformation in the entire concept that society has of the elderly, overcoming ageism and moving from theory to practice, making the elderly, as all international organizations propose, occupy the place that corresponds to them in the family and in society".
"Not all elderly people have the same circumstances or the same needs," says San Ginés, who adds that "this should be included in the transversal plan that includes an in-depth study of the dependent and non-dependent elderly, which should include everything from tax advantages to health care or access to culture, leisure and tourism".
"We are aware that the Parliament of the Canary Islands has approved a PNL in this regard, but the commitment of all institutional levels is needed," the councilor emphasizes.
Thus, among other aspects, the Nationalist Group proposes to the plenary of the Cabildo to urge the Government of the Canary Islands to adopt measures in the fiscal area, tax relief and bonuses for the elderly and caregivers of people who are alone or dependent.
On the other hand, CC-PNC encourages the Cabildo to launch those initiatives that the institution can directly adopt, such as the establishment of discounts in all cultural and leisure activities, promoting with special campaigns the participation of the elderly with fewer resources and in solitude.
To this, they add other actions that they understand can be undertaken by the Cabildo, such as the downward revision of discounts on public transport, the rehabilitation of public environments for their adaptation to reduced mobility, improving the financing of telecare services to all elderly people who live alone, or reinforcing the financing to the town councils for the extension of the coverage of home help, preventing and avoiding institutionalization and uprooting.
The nationalists also raise the need to develop specific content for accompaniment, care and prevention, aimed at the elderly, as well as the recovery of leisure and cultural activities prior to confinement due to the pandemic, and urge the reopening of the Day Center for the elderly in Arrecife.
