Day Centres are the best social response to the elderly, the Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity said, adding that they provide continuous and personalised care for senior citizens.

Ana Paula Marques spoke on behalf of the President of the Government during a ceremony to deliver a van to the Nossa Senhora da Ajuda da Bretanha Social and Parish Centre on Thursday night. The van was subsidised by the Government in the amount of 22 thousand Euros and will support the user from that village and the villages of Pilar da Bretanha and Remédios, municipality of Ponta Delgada.

Day Centres "are proximity responses that promote a family gathering," stated Ana Paula Marques. The Regional Secretary urged the officials of the Nossa Senhora da Ajuda da Bretanha Social and Parish Centre to move forward with the project for a Day Centre in that village. This project will be supported by the Government in the amount of 25 thousand Euros and the Day Centre is expected to be renewed by next year.

Before the users of the Ajuda da Bretanha Leisure Centre that celebrated its 15th anniversary Ana Paula Marques praised the work and organisational capacity of volunteers who dedicate themselves to the elderly without receiving any payment.

The Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity also praised the solidarity of the people of Ajuda da Bretanha. Recalling the damage caused by bad weather that hit the village last May, she stressed the spirit of solidarity and community of people who know to support and dedicate themselves to helping others at a time of difficulty.

Moreover, Ana Paula Marques reminded the attention given by the Government to senior citizens in the last legislative periods, promoting their well-being and improving social responses.

The number of infrastructures for the elderly grew from 14 in 2006 to 35 in 2011 in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, which represents a growth of 150%. With regard to the number of users, there was also an increase from 600 to 1500 users in the same period of time. The global amount invested grew from 5.5 million Euros in 2006 to 20.4 million Euros in 2011.