Andreia Cardoso calls for identification of architectural barriers in dwellings of elderly and dependent people
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity urged all people work with the elderly of dependent people to identify the existence of dwellings that need some adaptations to reduce the risk of falls.
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the ceremony for the granting of support for the rehabilitation of degraded housing to several families on São Miguel Island. On the occasion, she stressed that making the necessary adaptations to the dwellings of the elderly and people with reduced mobility is one of the priorities of the Regional Government.
"We intend to promote preventive interventions in 180 dwellings throughout the archipelago by the end of 2019 in order to ensure a safer environment and, thus, prevent falls," said the Regional Secretary. According to her," falls are, in fact, factors of isolation, dependence and, of course, factors of exclusion."
As Andreia Cardoso added, these efforts involves the community in the identification of situations, which should be reported to the Village Council or to the local services of the Regional Directorate for Housing. "By carrying out minor interventions such as turning a staircase into a ramp, placing handrail or replacing a bathtub by a shower tray, we will be able to eliminate potential fall risks."
Eliminating architectural barriers is one of the measures envisioned in the 1st Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion that aims to make adaptations in the dwellings of the elderly and people with reduced mobility.
Andreia Cardoso delivered today aid to support 30 families residing on the island of São Miguel for the recovery of degraded housing and control of termite infestations.
"We are taking a further step in the rehabilitation of the regional housing stock, a public investment amounting to 486 thousand Euros that will cover 82 people. This aid will support the upgrading and recovery of their dwellings," said the Regional Secretary.
In this legislative period and until March this year, the Regional Government has already supported almost 3,600 families, representing an overall investment of more than 29 million Euros in the housing sector.