Estepona City Employees Now Helping Expat Pensioners In Need

Lonely older expats in the Spanish city of Estepona are now being tracked down and helped by groups of municipal workers.

According to the popular British retirement destination’s local councillor Begona Ortiz, her team of municipal employees have discovered 168 elderly foreign retirees in need of assistance as well as 363 local pensioners. As a result, the local town hall is now getting in touch by phone with at-risk residents and asking them whether they need help getting provisions and other requirements.

According to reports of the scheme, the majority of those in need of practical assistance will require regular supplies of prescription medicines, with volunteers under the supervision of the Spanish Red Cross happy to help. It’s recognised that letting the elderly know they’re not alone is vital in these circumstances, with the volunteer group working alongside a local psychologist who can be contacted by phone when necessary.

As regards supplies, there’s no shortage of fresh foods as yet as every hotel has donated all its surplus foodstuffs after being forced to close. In addition, the local soup kitchen is staying open in order to provide takeaway meals for all those in need, and essential food outlets, pharmacies, banks and other necessary services are remaining open, but all other sectors are following the Spanish government’s strict rules wherever possible.

Although Spain is doing all it can to prevent coronavirus case numbers soaring still further, the news from Gibraltar isn’t encouraging. Infections on the Rock increased just as its lockdown was announced, with the British government offering troops if needed. It’s estimated up to 80 per cent of the Rock’s residents are likely to become infected, in spite of yesterday’s strict guidelines as regards staying home and avoiding close contact with others.