• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 10 / 04 / 2010

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ACN. Only Villa Clara and Ciudad de La Habana report more aged residents than Sancti Spiritus. Sancti Spiritus Province, One of Cuba’s Most Aged

Sancti Spiritus is one of Cuba’s three most aged territories -only preceded by Villa Clara and Ciudad de la Habana- where 18,5 per cent of the population is 60 or older.

Sources from the Cuban Health Ministry’s Elderly and Social Assistance Department briefed AIN on a national program aimed at improving the quality of life of older people.

In line with the abovementioned program, there are 35 hospital geriatric services in the island, as well as 229 day nursing homes (best known as grandparents’ homes), 143 nursing homes and over 13 000 grandparents clubs with over 800 000 members.

With regard to social assistance, elderly can benefit from financial help, home assistance, canteens and laundry services in Sancti Spiritus, particularly those who live alone, according to what was informed by a doctor health official.  

Life expectancy at birth in developing Cuba surpasses 75 years. It has been estimated that 20 per cent of the population here will classify as elderly by the year 2025.

October 1st, proclaimed as International Day of Older Persons by the World Health Organization (WHO), was marked in Sancti Spiritus with different physical, recreational and cultural activities.

Source: Escambray