Delete
Activities within the map in Elche and Torrevieja. TA
The Map Assisting the Elderly in Combating Loneliness in Elche and Torrevieja

The Map Assisting the Elderly in Combating Loneliness in Elche and Torrevieja

Healthcare professionals from both localities have incorporated numerous activities to support retirees.

Óscar Bartual Bardisa

Alicante

Domingo, 5 de enero 2025, 12:35

A map designed to combat unwanted loneliness among those over 65 in Elche and Torrevieja. This initiative is led by professionals from the Atabix health centre in collaboration with members of the Torrevieja Health Department. The study involves an interactive map for each locality, filled with resources that enhance the well-being of these individuals.

The study 'The Painful Loneliness', managed by Fisabio, aims to find useful tools to fight loneliness among the elderly. They can access the map at 'saludmaps.com', which showcases numerous locations and activities in both cities that help individuals maintain their health.

Alexandra Martínez, a nurse at the Altabix health centre and project researcher, emphasises that the project focuses on creating tools for the elderly to enhance their well-being. Martínez explains that various techniques used in Primary Care, such as walks to locate resources, interviews, or dynamics with elderly people.

All this has allowed "identifying these assets using a participatory dynamic from the XarxaSalut guide of the Community," says Rosi Cuadrado, also a nurse at the Altabix health centre and principal investigator of the project, who states that these have been placed "on a map of our basic area".

"Being able to approach a current issue such as unwanted loneliness in the elderly and its impact on the healthcare system is a personal and professional enrichment," says Cuadrado, expressing satisfaction with the project. The map provides information on libraries, reading clubs, walking and beach areas, green spaces, museums, or churches, as well as health centres, day hospitals, or associations.

The Study

Cuadrado explains that this project was born "from the concern of a team of nurses and a social health worker worried about the discomfort felt by some elderly people living alone without wishing to."

To this end, a two-year research was conducted, yielding various results of interest to the professional healthcare and community field, opening the way for new studies and actions. This study highlights the relationship between the overuse of healthcare services and several mental health and social support factors in elderly people living alone. Loneliness and low self-esteem stand out as factors that, if addressed through community and psychosocial interventions, could reduce the burden on health services.

The research also involved María Desireé Paredes, a social health worker from Primary Care at the Torrevieja Health Department; María José Montesino, a Primary Care nurse at the Torrevieja Health Department; Raquel Berna, a Primary Care nurse at the Torrevieja Health Department, and Alejandro Moya, a biostatistician at the General University Hospital of Elche.

Publicidad

Publicidad

Publicidad

Publicidad

Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios

todoalicante The Map Assisting the Elderly in Combating Loneliness in Elche and Torrevieja