The Mayor of Castellón, Begoña Carrasco, today emphasized the need to expand the Castellón Acompaña plan to address unwanted loneliness among the elderly population. These statements were made during a reception for associations held in the plenary hall on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. The event, attended also by the Councilor for Social Welfare, Clara Adsuara, served to review municipal initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for seniors, fostering their participation, and promoting active and healthy aging.
"We want those who need company to find an open door and a nearby response. We want to expand the Castellón Acompaña Plan to reach the elderly people who need it, no matter which neighborhood they live in," stated the mayor, emphasizing the program's territorial reach.
The expansion program continues a pilot project that involved 26 individuals, each with a personalized care plan. During this experience, 21 activities were carried out focusing on social relationships, memory, and emotional well-being. The results were highly positive: 98% of participants expressed satisfaction, 94% considered the activities helpful in their daily lives, and 93% reported expanding their social relationships.
"Behind those percentages are people who have found companionship, regained the desire to participate, and feel better. That is what gives meaning to this program," highlighted Carrasco, who also valued the crucial role of associations in detecting often unnoticed situations of loneliness.
The fight against unwanted loneliness is part of the first Municipal Plan for Older Persons, an initiative developed in collaboration with the Universitat Jaume I (UJI). This plan incorporates the Observatory for Older Persons, a tool designed to identify the needs of the group and guide municipal actions. The Observatory has already begun operating with a committee of experts, an advisory committee, and a volunteer group collecting data at the Specialized Center for Senior Care.
"Listening to our seniors is the first step to caring for them better. This work will allow us to understand how they live, what they need, and what we can improve from the City Council to design programs and actions that respond to their reality," affirmed the mayor.
Regarding active aging, Carrasco recalled that municipal sports and socio-cultural activity programs currently have 1,242 admitted participants. Additionally, activities such as dance, yoga, or tai chi are offered at the Senior Center for Active and Healthy Life and the Urban Center. The City Council has also promoted a workshop where 30 seniors have created biographical books with the help of artificial intelligence and has provided a dedicated space to the Association of Retirees and Pensioners of Raval Universitari after more than 15 years of requests.
"Castellón continues to grow, and we want that growth to translate into a better quality of life for all generations. Getting older should mean continuing to have opportunities to learn, care for yourselves, and spend time with others," concluded Carrasco.
As recognition for the work of the associations, the mayor and Councilor Clara Adsuara presented the representatives present with a figure of the Fadrí. Carrasco thanked "the daily work of the associations in offering meeting spaces, organizing activities, and accompanying those most in need. Your experience has value, and your participation is fundamental to continuing to build a close-knit city."
Numerous associations were represented at the event, including Flor del taronger, Cardona Vives, Castalia, Columbretes, Cremor, Infermeria Sant Joan de Déu, Veterans de les Forces Armades i Guàrdia Civil, Independents de l'Ajuntament de Castelló, Jubilemus, La Panderola, Los Angeles La Unió, Convivència Parc Lidón, Perpetu Socors, Raval Universitari, Sant Agustí San Marcos, San José Obrer El Pou, San José Obrer de la carretera de l'Alcora, Sant Joan Baptista, Sant Lorenzo, San Miguel Maset Blau, Segon Molí Sequiol, Grup de Majors Telefónica, Vedruna, Verge del Carmen, Verge del Pilar, Vídues, and the Federació Local del Major.
Prior to the reception, the Plaça Major hosted intergenerational activities to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons. The day began at 10:00 AM with the event's presentation and the reading of a ten-point plan for a dignified life at any age. Attendees could visit an exhibition of association posters, participate in games and puzzle dynamics, and enjoy a musical bingo.
