Supporting older persons through participatory and innovative measures (ESARG0004)

Commitment ID

ESARG0004

Commitment Title

Supporting older persons through participatory and innovative measures

Problem

In Spain, undesired loneliness among older persons and their limited access to appropriate support services are growing problems that affect their emotional and physical well-being. In Aragon, however, these challenges are heightened by our territorial characteristics as we are a vast yet scarcely populated region with a high ageing population: 280,000 people are over 65 (22% of the population) and 78,000 of them live alone. This situation exacerbates their isolation and access to services and makes it difficult for them to fully exercise their citizenship. In addition, the digital gap and lack of skills limit older persons’ access to administrative proceedings and increase isolation and their vulnerability to crimes. Furthermore, ageism, lack of social recognition, their lack of presence in the media and their consideration as a homogenous group means that they are perceived as a burden.

Status quo

Aragon has a robust administrative network for older persons, including a General Directorate, police units, homes, centers, and associations. In 2020, the Aragonese Loneliness Observatory was created to support older persons living alone, fostering social protection, emotional well-being, and safety to prevent isolation and exclusion. However, poor institutional coordination often leads to duplicated actions and a lack of initiatives. Moreover, older persons are not included in the planning of programs and activities geared toward them, resulting in services that fail to meet their needs.
In June 2019, the Older Persons’ Telephone Line started operating to promote autonomy and well-being, prevent risks, reduce loneliness, and refer users to social services when needed. In 2023, there were 3,192 communications, 11.1% more than in 2022 (2,872). Of these, 40.8% were from individuals living alone, and the typical profile is that of an older woman aged 78 who lives in Zaragoza.

Action

The creation of communities that develop projects together with the administration is essential to improving public services and restoring faith in the institutions. Reinforcing these connections with older persons by means of safe and collaborative spaces, where they can share what they have learned, and exchange experiences and opinions on topics of their interest, is essential. By positioning this group as the protagonist, they are given the chance to further their independence and help others. Many older persons feel lonely and their voices are not heard, which leads to them becoming marginalized. It is therefore necessary to create spaces that make them feel understood and valued, with an emphasis on empowerment and peer education. These spaces not only allow them to acquire new skills but also to strengthen their community. This commitment aims to provide an innovative response in contrast to conventional administrative initiatives, which tend to adopt a more welfare-oriented approach. It instead promotes the value the participants hold for society, while greatly improving their general wellbeing and quality of life.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

• Completion of 400 workshops to eliminate the digital gap among older persons in rural areas of Aragon.
• Extension and consolidation of La Compañía [The Company] in other territories: initiative that not only offers skills and tools to empower this collective with the use of technology but that trains older volunteers to help other older persons. Thus, while the program promotes autonomy in their daily lives and improves their self-esteem, it also combats undesired loneliness.
• Design and launch of the Older Persons Law to enshrine and guarantee the rights of older persons in Aragon.
• Completion of citizens labs to accelerate projects geared towards improving their well-being.
• Preparation of a structured strategy to combat undesired loneliness in this collective.
• Launch of a collaborative mapping of resources aimed at older persons.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Transparency and the Right to Know: Right to ask the government, to access and use the data, to receive a response, to find out about the Government Plan, to be able to check it, and so on.

Participation and the Right to Decide: Right to express your opinion, to suggest ideas to improve a law or a plan, to influence public policies and to receive a response, and so on.

Older persons have the right to learn and the right to understand.

The problem addressed is universal and it exists in all contexts. It is evident that the number of older persons who require this type of service and want to learn is growing. Furthermore, this population is increasingly active, has more time, and seeks to participate in a society that is evolving technologically at an ever-increasing speed.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Inclusion

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?