The 75+ Care programme is implemented in urban, rural and urban-rural municipalities of up to 60,000 inhabitants. The municipalities that join the programme, receive financial support in providing care services to persons aged 75 years and older.

“One of the persons I take care of is 99 years old and she relies on my assistance. I take care of her entire household. This means I plan her expenses, pay her bills and do her shopping. I cook and clean. And I always have to find some time to sit down and talk to the person I look after”, says Dorota Puchała of Police, who has been working as care assistant for 20 years. Currently, Dorota looks after three persons, including a person after stroke and a bed-ridden person.

“The elderly are often lonely. Sometimes, their family members are there to help, but currently, I look after persons who are completely on their own. I noticed that the elderly tend to find excuses for their children and grandchildren. They say they have to work, they had to migrate and cannot be with them. All the time, I learn how to support them in the best way possible”, says Dorota Puchała.

Programme addressed to persons who live either on their own or with their families
In 2019, the programme will be implemented in a broader form, i.e. it will be addressed not only to lonely persons aged 75+, but also to persons living with their families. Also, in 2019, the programme will be available to those municipalities that outsource care services from social cooperatives of legal persons founded by local government units. This change will make it possible to reach more municipalities with the programme.

In 2017, aid in the form of care services, including specialist care services, was provided to 105,745 persons, which is 6% (over 6,000 persons) more than in 2016, when the aid was provided to 99,368 persons. 

“The persons I look after always wait for me. Currently, I assist four persons, one of them for one month now. This new person waits for me the most, because I restored normality in her life”, says Jolanta Gronowska, care assistant with 15 years of experience. She describes one event that was particularly memorable for her. “One of the elderly ladies wrote a poem in which she called me an angel. Then I understood the importance of the work we do. We support them in their daily lives”, says Jolanta Gronowska.

Senior citizens feel appreciated after many years of work

In small towns, the elderly may sometimes count on their neighbours visiting them, but they still need regular care and a sense of safety. “State support in the vital task of providing care to senior citizens in an ageing society is of utmost importance”, says Ilona Kulik, Head of Care Services Department of the Social Services Centre in Police. She adds that 25 persons received assistance under the 75+ Care programme. In 2019, Police municipality applied for a grant under the Programme and doubled the number of participants to 50. “There is much interest in the programme”, explains Ilona Kulik. “Senior citizens are happy they can profit from the services offered. They feel safer and are happy that the Polish State remembers about them. This is a sign of appreciation for their many years of work in and for the country”, she adds.

Jolanta Moszczyska, Head of the Urban-Municipal Social Services Centre in Radoszyce, says that the Centre participated in the first edition of the 75+ Care programme.
“With this programme, we were able to provide additional care to 33 persons. In 2019, we also intend to continue the 75+ Care programme, because our senior citizens do not want the number of hours of services provided to them to be reduced”, says Jolanta Moszczyńska.

The 75+ Care programme supports the municipal budget

“The ageing society and increasing reluctance of family members to provide care mean that the number of persons who need care services is growing”, says Gabriela Poniedziałek-Petruk, Director of the Urban Family Services Centre in Świnoujście. She admits that state co-financing of some of the costs of the provision of services to persons aged 75+ reduces the burden of the municipal budget. In Świnoujście, in 2018, care services were provided to 245 senior citizens, of which 50 benefited from the 75+ Care programme. Last year, the beneficiaries of the programme constituted appr. 20 % of all persons using care services.

“In our municipality, care services are very popular”, says Zofia Krzemieńska of the Urban-Municipal Social Services Centre in Kamień Krajeński. Also, the Social Services Centre in Sępólno Krajeńskie could increase the number of hours of care services and provide assistance to new groups of lonely persons aged 75+. Before June 2018, the programme covered 10 persons in the municipality, and after Julu 2018 - 12 persons. “The programme provides co-financing of the costs of care services in our municipality”, say the employees.