Expansion works of Elderly Home of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Vila do Porto open
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity opened today the expansion works of the Elderly Home of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Vila do Porto, a Government's investment of about 250 thousand Euros.
Andreia Cardoso pointed out that this work is "another step" in the strategy developed by the Azorean Government for the expansion and upgrading of the Regional Network of Social Infrastructures.
The work now opened included the construction of a passageway between the elderly home and an adjacent building, also rehabilitated. It improved the comfort conditions and quality of facilities and increased its maximum capacity to 45 users.
"We have promoted the restructuring and extension of home provision as well as a series of training information sessions to caregivers with the aim of improving the quality of care," said Andreia Cardoso.
"In 2015, and in cooperation with the Private Social Solidarity Institutions, Santa Maria registered a total investment over 860 thousand Euros, corresponding to an increase of 2% in the funds compared to the previous year. This clearly shows that our commitment, dedication and our resources are invested towards the optimisation of the potential of this social support network," said the government official.
In her speech, she pointed out that the gradual ageing of the population necessarily imposes the readjustment of measures and social policies, ensuring that "the Regional Government's efforts to prevent situations of poverty, exclusion and insecurity that, often, follow the ageing process."
In the current legislative period, the Government of the Azores has secured the necessary funding for the creation of a Free Time, a Daycare Nursery and a Day Centre, already in operation, which are run by the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Vila do Porto.