Labin ensures chronic illnesses do not impair the lives of the elderly

Seniors with chronic illnesses will benefit from a number of services thanks to “BRIDGE – My Mobile Age”

The needs and rights of elderly citizens in the Croatian region of Labin have been acknowledged and recognised with the launch of “BRIDGE – My Mobile Age”: a project designed to improve the lives of senior residents who are living with chronic illnesses.

On 10 June, the Municipality of Labin announced that several organisations, including the Ministry of Labour and the Pension System, have approved the funding of this project. Thus, there is now the possibility of stronger and better non-institutional care for elderly citizens.

How will the project help the elderly?

Currently, there are nearly 6,000 people over the age of 60 who are living with chronic illnesses that impair their quality of life. Taking this further, their conditions hinder their mobility and/or social life and, in this way, prevent them from living independently. Considering this, the Labin Healthy City Association collaborated with the “Touch of Hope” Association to develop “BRIDGE – My Mobile Age”.

These associations are now working alongside the City of Labin and other municipalities in the region to help senior citizens by providing them with food, medicine, prescriptions, etc. It must be noted that when using these services, users will not be overcharged or asked to pay transportation fees; in other words, they will pay the same price as that which they would otherwise be charged in supermarkets and pharmacies.

Deputy Mayor Federika Mohorović Čekada commented on the need for this initiative, noting: “We are often approached by our senior citizens who cannot count on the help of family members for the purchase of food and medicine. This is a problem that we have recognised and are solving in this way.”

The Deputy Mayor went further, explaining that the aim of this project is to strengthen non-institutional services and improve the quality of life of elderly citizens. Moreover, she argued that seniors have never needed the city’s help more than they do today as the current epidemiological situation has made them one of the most vulnerable groups.

Looking towards the future, the project is expected to introduce transportation services that will allow the elderly to be driven to doctors, banks, post offices, etc. Although the introduction of this service has been postponed due to the outbreak of the pandemic, it is hoped that once the number of infections decreases, it will be launched.