Progress on Emergency Bracelets for the Elderly
In a significant development for senior citizens’ welfare, discussions are advancing on the roll-out of ‘red buttons’ on bracelets for elderly people. Social Welfare Deputy Minister Marilena Evangelou revealed the ongoing meetings during a statement on Tuesday. The initiative aims to provide the elderly with a reliable means to call for emergency assistance at the press of a button.
Deputy Minister Evangelou is actively engaging with the Third Age Observatory to ensure the project’s success. The observatory has been instrumental in researching international practices, drawing insights from countries like Israel, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These findings are helping shape the evaluation of the red button system, which is nearing completion. Evangelou hinted that the public could expect “announcements” regarding the initiative in the near future.
The urgency of implementing the red button system has been underscored by recent criticism from House labour committee chairman Andreas Kafkalias. Highlighting delays, Kafkalias pointed out that the project “has been pending since 2019” without substantial progress reports to the committee. This concern reflects a growing impatience for action, especially considering the five-year gap since the cabinet’s decision to explore this safety feature for the elderly.
As anticipation builds, stakeholders and senior citizens alike are keenly awaiting further details on how the government plans to enhance emergency response measures for the elderly population through these innovative bracelets.
