A disturbing number of cases of elderly Faro area residents living alone in poor conditions with insufficient food, many abandoned by their family, has been identified in the past 18 months
The Senior Support Office for the Faro council area, Paula Paiva, said the service of the Office of Support to the Elderly in Faro has managed to make a very positive contribution to many lives.
Paiva said that during 2013, her office had identified 87 elderly residents as being at risk and has carried out about 150 home visits in partnership with other concerned institutions including members of the GNR.
Some 34 have been identified in the first quarter of 2014 and the problem is increasing. Some of the conditions that her team have encountered have been dire and attributable to the financial crisis.
“Many older people have been abandoned by family" due to "financial issues," said Paiva, outlining the case of "a man of about 80 who was left living in an old aviary with a brother bringing what was often only left-over cattle food."
Paiva said the crisis is causing increasing problems for the elderly, but it's not always to do with money, "There is now a specific grouping of seniors who actually have financial means but who live with difficulties such as dementia and have no family, yet are starving despite receiving a good pension and often having property.”
Living in poverty can be due to no money, or simply not being able to use money with which to improve life.
"There are seniors who neglect their nutrition and health and have simply been abandoned," in many cases they already are "affected by dementia which is not being treated" concluded Paiva whose work is recognised as essential in saving lives and caring for many bewlidered elderly.
São Brás de Alportel council also has created a Senior Intervention Group to assist any elderly who are judged to be at risk.
The informal structure will bring together the various bodies involved, including Social Services, the Parish Council, the GNR, Social Security and the Community Care Unit at the Health Centre.
“Facing each new situation, there are different techniques available from the different entities working together in an integrated, fast and efficient way with excellent results," claimed the Council.
"Proximity is the key to this work, promoting the protection, well-being and quality of life for our senior citizens. We want to defend the elderly, who in many cases unfortunately live in poor situations," commented the Senior Intervention Group spokesperson.
