In Lanzarote, 12 percent of the population is over 65 years old. We are thus faced with a great challenge to address the problems suffered by this type of population in matters such as dependency and, above all, in the unwanted loneliness in which they live.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the health system has focused on protecting our elders and our residences, but what now? There is extreme loneliness not covered, with a shortage of resources and, above all, extreme misinformation and slowness in the recognition of dependency that today is resolved in about two and a half years.
As a social worker, I attend to frustrated relatives, disappointed with the system, with feelings of abandonment by the administration. The question I ask myself every day is where are the promised resources? Both economic and human resources; all those that are aimed at promoting the well-being of our elders. And understand me well that I am not referring to macro-residences, because these should be the last option. The well-being of the elderly involves staying in their home as long as possible, in their home with the necessary resources and services for it.
So, what should we answer to a family that does not know how the dependency file of their relative requested more than a year ago is? Why, being a smaller island, do we not have the option of requesting information in person but through 012? And what should we say to an elderly person who requests accompaniment to go to exercise because they are afraid of getting lost along the way? And what do we do with a person who self-harms due to the loneliness they experience every day just to go to the emergency service and thus be accompanied?
I find this reality day after day. It causes me impotence as a professional not being able to give an answer; anger at not finding in my island the necessary resources for the well-being of that generation that overcame wars, hunger and pandemics; and frustration that the system does not protect or cover these situations.
Because not only are services needed to cover basic needs. Human warmth, companionship, personal assistance and sheltered housing are needed. Because their well-being is linked to their home, to their vital environment where they have always remained or where they have chosen to stay until the end.
Resources must change and adapt to the realities of societies, for that purpose the Community Social Services were formed, which today seem to have remained in welfare social services, forgetting about the concept of community. The Canary Islands, Lanzarote and La Graciosa, must open a New Cycle that advances in public services with policies for the people. Change everything that does not work and innovate in services that respond to needs. In short, invest in the well-being of its citizens.
Daisy Villalba is a Social Worker and member of Nueva Canarias.
