During the session of the Sejm Committee for Senior Policy, the Secretary of State, Stanisław Szwed, presented information on the implementation of the „Active Plus” government programme for the years 2021-2025, the objective of which is to increase the participation of elderly people in all areas of social life.

The pandemic was not an obstacle

In total, in 2021, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy received 1,658 competition offers in the „Active Plus” government programme. 317 projects for a total amount of more than PLN 38 million were positively considered. – The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were not an obstacle in implementing the tasks, although they made us apply additional security measures – said Deputy Minister Szwed.

He added that this year he hopes for an equally high interest in the programme.– When observing the growing willingness to participate in activities, we will have to struggle for more financial resources next year – declared Deputy Minister Szwed.

Co-financing up to PLN 250 thousand

On 1 February, the call for applications in an open competition of tenders under this year’s edition of the Multiannual Programme for the Elderly „Active+” for the years 2021-2025 was launched. Non-governmental organisations may submit tenders by 28 February. The results of the competition will be announced by 15 May 2022 at the latest.

This year, from the pool of PLN 40 million, organisations can apply for co-financing in the amount between PLN 25 thousand and PLN 250 thousand. This funds will be allocated for implementing projects under four areas of action: social activity, social participation, help to digitally excluded elderly people and the so-called „preparation for old age”, which is to strengthen lasting intergenerational relations.

Corps, COM and Care

Minister Stanisław Szwed reminded that an important programme is also the Solidarity Assistance Corps for the Seniors, which was launched at the end of October 2020 as assistance to persons over 70 who stayed at home due to the pandemic. A senior who wants to get help calls a special hotline (22 505-11-11) and informs that chooses to stay at home. The hotline refers the case with a telephone number to the appropriate commune and local social welfare centre. The government allocated PLN 80 million for this programme.

Another form of assistance to seniors and seniors with disabilities are programmes regarding personal assistance of a person with a disability and the construction of care and residential centres. The Deputy Minister also mentioned the „Care 75 plus” programme, which is to improve access to care services, including specialist care services for persons aged 75 and more. The programme is addressed to communes with up to 60 thousand residents. – In 2021, 583 communes participated in the programme. Nearly 7.5 thousand persons used it – said Deputy Minister Szwed.

Growing expenditures

Since 2019, the „500 plus for dependent persons” benefit has also been implemented, which is received by more than 700 thousand persons.– In recent years, there has been a very large increase in expenditures on persons with disabilities. In 2015, it was PLN 9 billion, in 2021 it was the total amount of PLN 32 billion – stressed Deputy Minister Szwed.