The Pact for the Elderly promised by the government becomes reality. The legislative decree implementing the elderly qualification law, approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers, is a substantial provision. A true reform that introduces several innovations. Firstly, more than a billion euros are allocated. But above all, the “universal benefit” for the elderly is born, which will allow the support allowance for the most fragile and needy elderly to be increased. As the Deputy Minister of Labor, Maria Teresa Bellucci, explained, for elderly people who are not self-sufficient “we will go from an assistance allowance currently equal to 531.76 euros to 1,380 euros, which can be spent on services, care and assistance”. Prime Minister Meloni also highlights the importance of this provision that implements the Pact for the Elderly: «It is a reform that we are proud of and that Italy has been waiting for for more than 20 years, just one stage of a path that will continue for the entire legislature . With more than a billion euros in two years and the start of testing a universal benefit that will increase the caregiver allowance by more than 200%, we are finally providing concrete answers to the needs of our more than 14 million elderly people, to non-self-sufficient people and their families. The government has been working since its inauguration on a structural reform of policies in favor of the elderly, aware that the elderly represent the history of this nation.” The universal benefit will be granted by the INPS and will be recognized, upon express request, to the non-self-sufficient elderly person who meets the following requirements: minimum age of 80 years, very serious level of need for care and ISEE for subsidized benefits, socio-health care not exceeding six thousand euros.
«It is an innovative measure», highlights Bellucci, «because it aims to avoid isolation and loneliness, promote an active life, facilitate access to care and assistance services also through technological innovation. Interventions are more effective because they are personalized, thanks to forms of coordinated programming at national and territorial level, with the home as the first place of care and life, strengthening integrated home care, telemedicine and teleassistance”. In fact, there are several innovations introduced precisely to avoid isolation. 5 million euros are allocated to the implementation of measures that aim to encourage so-called “well-being tourism”, or “slow tourism”.
Furthermore, to make life easier and simpler for the elderly, a single place for digital access to services dedicated to the highest segments of the population will be created. In this way, with a single plan, millions of dollars are allocated to promote “wellness tourism” aimed at the elderly at a national level, those who are entitled will no longer have to navigate between an infinite number of portals. Concessions will also be introduced, again aimed at seniors, for pet adoption. Having a dog or cat to keep you company can be decisive for the psychophysical well-being of those who often find themselves alone during this period of life, so much so that access for these animals to residential facilities will be promoted. The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, recalls that «Italy is among the longest-lived nations in the world and we must ensure that this longevity is accompanied by a good state of health and a better quality of life: promoting active and healthy aging Health It is essential to increase the state of fiscal and mental well-being, but also to reduce the costs of treatment and care. This is a provision that, after many years, treats the elderly 360 degrees, allocating a significant amount of one billion: home care, mental health protection, social inclusion, access to social and health services. This government brings a real change of pace for the protection and well-being of our elderly.”
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
