The rise in unwanted loneliness among the elderly in Baix Empordà is creating clear inequalities based on the size of the municipality in which they reside. In small towns like Jafre, accessing basic services and support activities is more difficult than in larger cities in the region.
Inequality in Access to Services and Activities
Delays in dependency law assessments and requirements such as having relatives registered in the same town complicate access to resources for the elderly in small municipalities. The lack of efficient public transport limits travel to La Bisbal or Palamós hospital, making it difficult to complete procedures and access specialized healthcare.
The Jafre City Council, with the support of the Baix Empordà Regional Council, has launched activities such as the Thursday memory workshop, Friday physical exercise sessions in the park, and a computer workshop. These initiatives aim to offer socialization and stimulation alternatives for the municipality's elderly population.
"I like it a lot and I want to do everything. At home I also cook, I listen to the radio and every day I go for a walk around the village" - Maria Teixidor, resident of Jafre
Delays and Overload in Social Services
Sílvia Mas, a social worker and technician for the Consell Comarcal, warns of delays in dependency management. Currently, the backlog in dependency law assessments stands at one year, and obtaining a parking permit for disabled individuals can take up to 21 months.
"This situation causes distress to the elderly who suffer from unwanted loneliness and many need psychological support that the council provides, but which has become saturated due to the demand" - Sílvia Mas, CCBE
The increase in demand has caused psychological support services to be saturated. Many elderly people, especially in small towns, are affected by the lack of resources and the inability to leave their homes easily.
"We must think that in the end they are people who are very alone and cannot go out and do too many things" - Sílvia Mas, CCBE
Institutional Response and Budgetary Limitations
The mayor of Jafre, Èlia Bantí, highlights the importance of bringing activities closer to the municipality to avoid travel and improve the mental health of the elderly. From the town hall, they insist on the need to strengthen the sense of community and mutual support among neighbors.
"We are trying to pull strings so that we can do all of this here and they don't have to travel. We try to ensure this benefits them from a mental health perspective" - Èlia Bantí, mayor of Jafre
The president of the Comarcal Council, Enric Marquès, acknowledges that small municipalities do not have the same possibilities as larger cities to offer services to their population. The budget is usually very low and the lack of public transport aggravates the problem.
"It's about everyone being able to live with dignity, including in the final stage of their lives" - Enric Marquès, president of the CCBE
The situation in Baix Empordà highlights the need to strengthen social services and public transport to guarantee equal opportunities for the elderly, regardless of their place of residence.