Below is a press release issued by Massimiliano Stellato, regional councilor of Puglia:
The regional council gives the green light to the census of the elderly population living alone in Puglia.
The assembly unanimously approved the motion presented by Massimiliano Stellato, regional councilor of Italia Viva, with which he committed the regional government to promote the creation of a census of elderly people living alone or in a state of abandonment in the municipalities of Puglia, in order to facilitate their access to assistance services – from the purchase of food, to medicines, to psychological support and access to care – in case of need.
“There are many cases of elderly people, self-sufficient and not – says Stellato – relegated to conditions of marginalization and deprivation due to loneliness. A worrying and unfortunately growing phenomenon, which often escapes the monitoring of the competent offices. In some municipalities, the census of this segment of the population has been carried out, in many others it has not. My motion, just approved, tries to fill this gap.
The Government, with the “Pact for the Third Age” – continues Stellato – aims to intervene with targeted policies in favor of the elderly and against their marginalization.
But before this, it is necessary to know the real estimate of the need, that is, the size of the demographic segment of reference. All this, in order to facilitate welfare policies and interventions in the health, social and assistance fields.
The elderly – concludes Stellato – are not only a part of our families and the roots of society, they also guard a heritage of values, culture and traditions. For this reason, taking care of them is equivalent to preserving our communities”.
