Last week saw the conclusion of the first information meeting at the RSA 'Soggiorno Mariuccia' in Volvera on important issues concerning the social sphere, useful for those who for the first time have to learn about all the possibilities, aids and subsidies to assist an elderly relative. A "Practical guide for caregivers“, as the title of the information event states.

 "We started from the situation we experience on a daily basis in the facility," states Angelo Antonio Alvaro, Director - "The relatives of guests who benefit from DGR10, where the fees are totally borne by the ASL, at the end of the hospitalisation period do not know how to cope with the expenses. Frequently, moreover, many families, who provide for the necessary costs on a totally private basis, do so precisely because they lack information on how to carry out the necessary paperwork to access the agreements. This is why we thought of a meeting with qualified people, an open dialogue where doubts and questions could be voiced'.

The meeting was conducted by Dr. Anna Puccio, General Practitioner, by Mr Santino Pino, employee of the CAF patronato di Orbassano, with the active participation of Anna Rita Rocca, Councillor for Social Policies of the Municipality of Volvera, who generously made their expertise and professionalism available. Among the topics raised were how to apply for accompaniment allowances, the UVG paperwork for the application for agreement, aids that the health authority makes available free of charge, and, finally, how the EUR 600 bonus made available by the Piedmont Region works and is distributed. Finally, the councillor explained which municipal offices are in charge of support. The aim of the meeting was to improve the condition of proximity and support to the guests by the caregivers: caregivers who - if facilitated and perhaps relieved as much as possible of the financial burden, always central when speaking of care and health - can be more effective and efficient in the daily support offered.

"During the Multi-Family Groups that are organised monthly in the facility," the Director continues, "a situation emerged that bitterly suggests how assistance is not always perceived as a rightoften also due to a lack of clear and immediate information. We felt it was important to try to shed light on central and undoubtedly interesting topics, as demonstrated by the unexpected turnout and participation.