Urge strengthening of protections for elderly
By The Star Staff
Health Services Administrators Association (CASS by its acronym in Spanish) President Dr. Rosa Castro on Tuesday endorsed Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s appointment of social worker Suzanne Roig Fuertes as Family secretary and urged the strengthening of protections for elderly people abandoned in hospitals.
“The Health Services Administrators Association, a non-profit professional entity that brings together more than 800 hospital administrators, Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (CDT), Primary Health Centers 330, among other institutions, endorses the appointment by Governor Jenniffer González of the outstanding social worker Suzanne Roig as Secretary of the Department of the Family,” Castro said in a written statement.
“In our hospitals we recognize the fundamental role of social workers; in our case, we have clinical social workers,” she said. “We know the leadership and social commitment of the designated person, which represents a key opportunity to strengthen services aimed at the most vulnerable populations, especially our elderly.”
“The appointment of social worker Roig comes at a critical time to address the social challenges affecting our elderly, who deserve to receive the care and respect that corresponds to their dignity and fundamental rights,” Castro added. “At CASS we celebrate her appointment and offer our collaboration to develop initiatives that promote their well-being.”
“In addition, CASS expresses its concern about the persistent practice of abandoning older adults in hospitals without any justification,” she said. “This situation, which affects a fragile segment of our society, must be addressed urgently, as it also limits access and services to other patients.”
“We have all witnessed how the number of people who leave elderly people abandoned in hospitals increases every year, even when they have already received treatment and have been discharged. We also know the difficulties that the Family Department faces, in most cases, in placing them in homes,” Castro said. “In light of this, we call on the designated person to double efforts in the creation of a Specialized Social Unit that deals with these cases, provides preventive support to families in crisis and guarantees dignified care for our elderly.”
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