Social and socio-sanitary services

In older people, more than in other stages of life, the support of the social network is essential. This is so due to the greater health and psychological lability that occurs in these patients, in whom, due to the loss of peers and friends, evolution of family units, retirement, etc., these social networks are more fragile and in danger of fracture faced with new needs and changes. Hence the importance of assessing the social environment as a fundamental part of comprehensive geriatric assessment.

To reinforce, complete and sometimes supply this informal social network there are a series of social and socio-sanitary services (those in which care is offered to individuals with social support and dependency needs due to health problems). These services may depend on government agencies, generally from the regional administrations, but there are also voluntary organizations, dependent on religious organizations, or even mutual funds and other profit-making or non-profit organizations.

For the elderly without great dependencies on activities of daily living, there are multiple activities to reinforce the social fabric. From low-cost trips organized by the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO), to social centers or retirement clubs, in which multiple recreational and cultural activities are organized (groups of card games or dominoes, choral singing, dances, adapted exercise, group outings, etc.).

To prevent the decline in purchasing power that retirement brings from reducing the ability to enjoy many leisure and cultural activities, many organizations offer special prices to people 65 and older. Cinemas, theaters, gyms, public transport and other organizations offer discounts of varying amounts to people in this age group.

One service offered by some non-profit organizations is the accompaniment of elderly people in a situation of loneliness. This service is a volunteer service to accompany you to carry out procedures (go to the doctor, the bank, make purchases), go for a walk, or simply share time, experiences and human contact.

The socio-sanitary services are articulated to give attention to those cases in which there are dependency care needs. They must cover or complement activities such as mobilization, hygiene, food or danger avoidance, among others. In elderly dependent people due to cognitive problems or limitations due to other chronic pathologies, different levels of social and health support will be necessary, depending on the possibility of meeting these needs from their own social network.

These levels of social assistance range from telecare, help for hours at home (help with hygiene and bedridden for transfers, control of intake and feeding), to admission to assisted residences (permanent or temporary for unloading), passing through the permanent professional caregiver or geriatric day center.