The Algaida Police promotes communication with the elderly who live in the countryside

PalmaThe Algaida City Council will take another step in the tasks and operation of the reference police officer for the elderly in the municipality, a figure that was put into operation last May. Now, as announced in a public presentation event for potential users and their families, a voluntary census of the elderly will be drawn up, which is currently in the preparation phase.

The objective of this database is "to have all people over 65 years of age who live alone or as a couple identified and located to ensure that they will have direct and fluid communication with the responsible officer". In this sense, it was explained that this census "will be a very useful tool, especially to have direct contact with people who live in the countryside, because it will allow being more aware of their needs".

The reference police officer "will enable the elderly to have him as a reference and to be able to establish a direct relationship regarding the needs they may have". Likewise, the police officer will be able to advise them to avoid fraud or scams, provide support in cases of adverse weather phenomena, and can also contribute to improving the safety of those who live in the countryside, who are more isolated. However, in yesterday's conversation, it was also clarified that in cases of emergency, they must call 112.

The reference police officer, as a direct link between the Local Police and the socio-sanitary network, will have an active attitude towards the detection and reduction of problems. Among other functions, he will carry out preventive patrolling, have a presence in municipal activities, and have specific training in empathetic treatment and communication adapted to the elderly. About a hundred residents of Algaida, Pina, and Randa attended the meeting, wishing to get to know up close a pioneering service among the municipalities of Mallorca that the City Council has created.

After listening to the explanations of the mayor, Margalida Fullana, and the police officials in charge of the service, the majority of the attendees showed their interest in becoming part of the voluntary census of the elderly and being able to benefit from it. In addition to the very many people who already took the form to formalize the registration, other places where it can be collected and registration for the census in preparation can be made are the City Hall, the health center, the day center, and the Local Police.

19% of the population

The initiative of the Algaida City Council to create this figure "responds to a need to provide the attention that a group that is increasingly numerous in Algaida requires and deserves," which already represents 19% of the total municipal population and which in recent years has experienced a significant increase (of 11%) in the age group of those over 80 years old. Likewise, the territorial dispersion and isolation in rustic areas make it advisable to adopt measures so as not to leave the elderly who live in the countryside unprotected.

Thus, it is worth remembering that the police officer for the elderly is designed to accompany, guide, and protect the elderly of Algaida, Pina, and Randa. Its objective is to "detect situations of vulnerability, prevent isolation, and offer more humane, close, and adapted attention to the needs of the elderly." It is a service that operates in a network with the day center, the elderly association, the City Council's Social Services, Civil Protection, and the health center, so that needs can be detected and actions coordinated from any of these points.