"New Elderly" programme with another 40 home carers
Ponta Delgada
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
The Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, delivered training diplomas to the new home caregivers under the "New Elderly" programme, which had the Luís Soares de Sousa Home in Ponta Delgada as the training provider.
The ceremony, held at the Santa Clara Civic and Cultural Centre in Ponta Delgada, completed the training of 40 new home caregivers for Ponta Delgada, in addition to the already 39 caregivers trained in Praia da Vitória as part of the first phase of the programme.
The second phase, which began in April 2023, again with 50 vacancies per municipality, included Horta, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo.
There are now 210 integrated home caregivers and 19 specialised senior technicians hired by Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) and Santas Casas da Misericórdia (charities) to provide home support to 219 elderly people, as a result of the 2.1 million Euro-investment.
Mónica Seidi stated that this is an "innovative" project, which "will continue despite the political changes" introduced by the new Government of the Azores.
"We are aware that it is an asset for our elderly and our society, although it will certainly require some adaptations over time," she said.
It should be noted that the proposed Plan and Budget for 2024, rejected at the end of last year, included the extension of this pilot project to the entire archipelago. This proposal is part of the proposals presented by the new Regional Government and will undergo parliamentary discussion in May.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the work of the regional team, which is essential to the success of this project, the training provider and the Luís Soares de Sousa Home, represented by Noé Rodrigues, who, from the very first moment, had the courage to stand alongside the Government in this innovative programme," continued Mónica Seidi.
"But our deepest gratitude goes to the new home caregivers as they will always have a smile for those they care for and have a truly noble mission," she said.
This pilot project is funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
