Elderly Care in Spain: Action Plan 2003-2007 & The Role of IMSERSO
Admin Action in Elderly Care: Action Plan for Seniors 2003-2007
The Spanish Constitution (Article 50) mandates that public authorities guarantee sufficient income for senior citizens through adequate and regularly updated measures. It also promotes their well-being through the Social Security system and addresses their specific needs in healthcare, housing, culture, and leisure.
To implement this, Spain has established administrative structures and specific action plans. The IMSERSO (Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales) is the primary body coordinating actions for seniors, integrated into the National Gerontological Plan.
The IMSERSO
Created in 1978 as a Social Security operator, the IMSERSO became the Institute for Migration and Social Security in 1997. A 2004 restructuring led to its current name and role as a managing agency under the Ministry of Social Security, Family, and Disability.
The IMSERSO’s responsibilities include:
- Establishing and managing specialized care centers
- Managing non-contributory pensions
- Providing complementary services to Social Security benefits for seniors, including social care, leisure activities, vacation plans, spas, and telecare.
The Action Plan for Older Persons 2003-2007
A) A Consolidated Background: The National Gerontological Plan (1988-1991)
This plan was the first comprehensive response to the needs of older people. Its objectives were to:
- Establish an adequate contributory and non-contributory pension system
- Promote the health and well-being of older people
- Coordinate social services with the healthcare system
- Enhance the perception of seniors as active contributors to society
Key action lines included:
- Pensions: Improving minimum pensions, equalizing widows’ pensions, and automatically adjusting pensions to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Healthcare: Enhancing health through prevention, exercise, and rehabilitation, and facilitating home care for the sick.
- Social Services: Strengthening public structures for senior care, guaranteeing their fundamental rights, and promoting social solidarity and public participation.
- Culture and Leisure: Improving access for seniors and promoting social solidarity and public participation.
- Participation: Incentivizing volunteerism, providing support to NGOs, and fostering senior citizen exchange programs within the EU.
B) The Action Plan for the Elderly (2003-2007)
This plan focused on:
- Equality of Opportunity: Developing a comprehensive system of economic protection and social care for dependent individuals while promoting autonomy and active participation in the community.
- Cooperation: Establishing an Interministerial Committee for coordinating policies for older people and creating a Universities Council of Elders.
- Specialized Training: Developing programs to improve caregiver training and fostering intergenerational relationships, overcoming negative stereotypes, and promoting volunteerism.
- Information and Research: Informing society about seniors and promoting gerontological research.
The plan aimed to provide seniors with a network of quality social resources and services, promote empowerment and participation based on active aging principles, advance policies to protect dependent seniors, and enhance the social image of aging.
Key pillars of the plan included dignity, independence, self-realization, participation, and caregiving, aligning with United Nations principles for older persons.
The State Council of the Elderly
Created in 1994, this council collaborates in defining, implementing, and monitoring social policies for seniors. It includes representation from various public administrations.
Its functions include:
- Reviewing subsidy applications from senior citizens’ associations
- Monitoring action plans for seniors
- Supporting the strengthening of senior citizens’ associations
- Proposing studies and research related to the quality of life of seniors