"Our goal is for services to be as close to the people as possible," said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, as he announced the creation of a Mobile Social Care Unit, with a pilot program in Limassol.
President Christodoulides made the announcement during his remarks at the celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Limassol Adult Care Home, on Monday afternoon, in the presence of the Minister of Transport, Evi Tsolaki, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Tina Pavlou, the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hatzimanoli, and local authorities.
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As she noted, the way a society treats its elderly citizens is a measure of its quality and cohesion, and she emphasized that, for the government, “the issue is not limited to the provision of benefits or services.” “It concerns, first and foremost, every person’s right to age with dignity, autonomy, and security; to continue to participate, to create, to have a voice, and to have choices. And when support is needed, to be able to find it in a timely manner, in a way that meets their own actual needs,” she added.
This philosophy, he continued, is the guiding principle behind the first National Strategy for Active Aging 2025–2030, as well as the Action Plan 2025–2027, and he noted that “this is the first time such a strategy has been developed by the Republic; for the first time, we have established a comprehensive framework that links healthy and active aging with social participation, prevention, education, digital skills, the fight against discrimination, and access to services.”
At the same time, he continued, aging with dignity also requires financial security, “which is why we are moving forward—and this morning, I had a very important meeting with the Minister of Labor and Social Security, where we discussed the final details of the pension reform”.
Stating that “we are moving forward with a major reform for our country” and recalling that the last time “anyone dared to touch the pension system was in 1980,” President Christodoulides said that “46 years later, we are moving forward with the Pension Reform, with the goal of more dignified and fairer pensions.”
At the same time, he noted that “with today’s pensions—let’s not beat around the bush—people cannot meet their needs,” noting that particular emphasis is placed on low-income pensioners, as well as on a strong and sustainable Social Security Fund for future generations.
He also expressed the hope that, with the submission of the proposal, to the House of Representatives in the coming days, the relevant legislation will be passed and implemented as soon as possible, for the benefit of pensioners.
Beyond financial security, the President of the Republic emphasized the importance of every person having access to the care they need, when they need it, and, to the extent possible, in the place of their choosing.
Stating that the Government’s goal is a long-term care system that offers real choices and puts the individual at the center, he emphasized that every policy decision in the Cabinet begins with a person-centered approach.
Recalling the increase in the Subsidy Scheme for Accommodation and Care in Senior Living Facilities, from 745 to 1,300 euros, President Christodoulides said that, at the same time, the Government is moving forward—as part of its efforts to improve institutional care— to upgrading the framework for home care, while continuing to support community-based programs.
Recalling the Neighborhood Social Worker program, which was launched by the previous administration and is being expanded island-wide, as well as the “Red Button” program, which is being implemented on a pilot basis, he emphasized that all these initiatives and the administration’s broader approach serve a common goal, where services will be as close to the people as possible “rather than people being forced to seek out all these services every time.”
Announcing the creation of a Mobile Social Care Unit, in collaboration with the Limassol Adult Care Home and the relevant state and local agencies, the President of the Republic said that this is an innovative initiative designed to meet a real need.
“Because there are older people and vulnerable fellow citizens among us who live alone, have limited mobility, lack an adequate support network, or face challenges that make it difficult or even impossible for them to access services,” he added.
The Mobile Unit, he explained, will provide coordinated and personalized support in the homes of those who need it and will be staffed by a social worker, a nurse, and a caregiver, so that it can holistically address each person’s unique needs.
Its services, she added, will include social support, nursing care, assessment of living conditions, information and guidance on rights and benefits, as well as practical assistance with daily life.
The program, she said, will launch as a pilot program in Limassol and will be evaluated in practice; actual needs will be identified, the experience of professionals and the people being served will be drawn upon, and, based on the results of that evaluation, the next steps will be determined.
In addition, he emphasized that, in order to achieve the goal of the Mobile Social Care Unit, “it is essential that we all work together,” and for this reason, collaboration is planned with the Social Welfare Services, the social services of the Limassol Municipality, neighborhood social workers, and other local organizations.
President Christodoulides congratulated everyone who serves at the Limassol Adult Shelter and assured them that the Government will continue to work “so that every person can grow old with dignity, security, autonomy, and choices.”
“Our country’s economic situation is in very good shape, thanks to our responsible fiscal policy and your sacrifices, and for us, this economic growth must be channeled back to the citizens, by investing in health care, education, housing, and the welfare state,” he concluded in his remarks.
Among others, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Tina Pavlou, who praised the work of the Limassol Adult Home, noting that, as a Deputy Ministry, “we want every person to feel valued, to have the time and space to express themselves and be heard, and to be treated as an individual with their own story, their own needs, and their own desires”.
Referring to the Mobile Social Care Unit, she said that the social worker will assess living conditions, provide information about their rights, and assist with submitting the appropriate applications. “This guidance can facilitate access to benefits to which they are entitled, thereby contributing to their financial relief.”
In addition, Ms. Pavlou continued, “their nursing care is expected to include monitoring medication, basic health checks, and collaboration with the patient’s personal physician,” while “caregivers will assist with personal hygiene, shopping, and meal preparation or procurement.”
In addition to these, he noted, attention will be paid to the individual’s mental well-being, with “time for a conversation and the opportunity to express any concerns,” and he added that “when a professional enters a person’s personal space, explains what they are going to do, and asks for the client’s opinion, they create the conditions for cooperation, respect, and, above all, trust.”
Emphasizing the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare wished the new service every success in its implementation.
