Fuengirola keeps pensioners connected: “You're not alone”

A 'DIGITAL assistance' service for pensioners living alone has proven to be a lifeline for Fuengirola residents – and 70% of those signed up use it 'regularly', says mayoress Ana Mula.

At the moment, it is merely a pilot scheme, meaning only 20 people are registered – 14 women and six men – and, although it is largely designed for the elderly, it is available to anyone aged 65 and over and the average user is 75-and-a-half, Sra Mula explains. 

In a nutshell, the system is a tablet with built-in internet and speakers, free of charge, with easy-to-use functions that are not too technological or baffling even for the very elderly or those with dementia, so it keeps them in touch with the outside world, offers them entertainment and a direct line to the council's 'third age' department in case they need help.

“At times like this, we're doing everything in our power to help all sectors of the population,” says Ana Mula.

“Evidently, our pensioners cannot be left behind. We need to give them all the care, service and attention they deserve.”

It is partly aimed at seeing what pensioners and elderly people living alone get up to, what they want, and what they need, and at least 10 of the 20 use it daily, and 14 of them frequently, even if not every day.

Sra Mula says 15 of them use it largely to listen to music, play games and 'facetime', 'Skype', or the equivalent, allowing them to keep in touch with friends and family.

Less-frequent activities include using the tablet to listen to the radio, check the weather, read the town hall's schedule of events, or consult the news.

Based upon the data received from the tablets, the council's pensioners' unit can work out what they need to do in terms of services they provide to non-working-aged people living alone.

The simple function that puts users in contact with the department can be for anything from emergencies to advice, or basic errands like shopping and pharmacy visits if they cannot get out themselves.

It forms part of the Costa del Sol town's 'You're Not Alone' ('No Estáis Solos') campaign, run by the family and welfare teams.

Through this, the retired population can ask the council to help with essentials such as medication and grocery shopping, given that those aged typically 65 and over are considered to be at a higher risk of serious illness if they contract Covid-19 as the immune system weakens when people approach middle age and can be very compromised in the over-80s.

That way, they can stay at home and cut their risk of contagion.

“The local government is very aware of the needs of its residents, and at the moment, more so, as the pandemic is affecting our pensioners more than most – they are among those having the worst time of it at present,” says the mayoress.

“We're in permanent contact with our pensioners; they know they can count on their mayoress and their town hall. They know we've always been by their side, especially during the pandemic, and we're going to carry on being there for them.”

This, of course, includes expat pensioners of any nationality, or those visiting their holiday homes, since they are an integral and equal part of the community in Fuengirola and Spain as a whole.

Fuengirola residents of retirement age, especially those living alone, who need help or advice can call the dedicated No Estáis Solos lines – (0034) 677 900 214 or (0034) 677 900 215; use the 0034 country code from abroad and the rest of the number in full, or simply drop this and dial one of the 677 numbers whilst in Spain.