Thirty people were forced to pay a monthly alimony for their elderly parents during 2016.
The benefit was obtained by the elderly after filing a lawsuit with the advice of the National Council of the Elderly Person (CONAPAM) and the help of the legal offices of the University of Costa Rica.
In 3 cases, people abandoned their parents in hospitals of the CCSS and CONAPAM started the legal procedure.
This strategy will strengthen the company during 2017, to fight the habit of some families of abandoning the elderly in hospitals during the holiday season and holidays.
So far in December, CONAPAM records 20 people left in the emergency services of clinics and hospitals that have been placed in foster homes, exceeding the figure for 2015.
During this year, 119 families abandoned a senior citizen, mostly those suffering from some type of dementia or disease affecting their motor or mental abilities.
This figure does not reflect the senior citizens we rescue from parks, streets and other places in poor conditions. They live another type of tragedy. The resources of CONAPAM are exhausted and December is the most complicated time for us because people abuse more of the elderly,”
explained Zulema Villata.
Next Friday, CONAPAM will unveil a strategic plan that includes the collaboration of the 911 line, the Ombudsman and other institutions to assist seniors who will be abandoned during holidays between December 23rd and January 2nd.