Cruz Roja Huelva has launched the project 'Vida' (Life), an initiative designed to create community support networks for the elderly. Approximately 60 individuals over 65 years old are benefiting from this program, which seeks to enable them to remain in their homes with safety and quality of life, thanks to the work of 10 volunteers.
Gema Manzano, the project's technician, explains that the goal is, with the support of volunteers and the community, to reduce daily life difficulties for seniors and thus prolong their time living at home without needing residential services.
This intervention, funded by the Consejería de Inclusión Social, Juventud, Familias e Igualdad of the Junta de Andalucía through funds from the 0.7% IRPF tax allocation, aims to establish an elder care model through volunteer and community participation, in key coordination with social and health services.
The project's key objectives include in-home companionship for daily tasks and reducing unwanted loneliness; safety and prevention, promoting personal autonomy and good treatment; and generating a network of bonds among neighbors, caregivers, and volunteers.
In essence, the initiative aims to unite efforts so that seniors can remain in their own homes with guarantees of safety, autonomy, and quality of life, combating isolation and dependency through voluntary support and accompaniment.
In addition to 'Vida', the humanitarian organization promotes other projects such as Comprehensive Care for Seniors, offering companionship to those living alone, fostering participatory aging, and mitigating the risk of dependency with activities promoting healthy habits and personal autonomy.
Cruz Roja also promotes services like teleassistance (home-based, mobile, and a locator for cognitive impairment), Good Treatment for Seniors: Promotion of adequate treatment and protection against mistreatment, Social Network for Seniors: Enrédate, and Care for Caregivers, funded by the Consejería de Inclusión Social, Juventud, Familias e Igualdad and the Ministry of Social Rights.
