Paphos will soon be home to the largest and most modern care home for the elderly in Cyprus, mayor Phedonas Phedonos told Cyprus Mail on Thursday.
Speaking at the annual event where the municipality awards funding to local social welfare groups, the mayor revealed plans for a new permanent assisted living centre designed to serve the city’s ageing population. The event took place at the ‘Attikon’ cultural venue in the heart of Paphos on Wednesday night.
The four-storey facility will include 100 private en suite rooms, each around 27 square metres, with a kitchen, living area and bathroom.
“It will be built to the highest standards, offering more than just accommodation,” Phedonos told Cyprus Mail.
“Residents will enjoy a large garden with tall trees, computer classes, dance lessons and a range of other daily activities to promote wellbeing.”
The new facility will also operate a fleet of cars staffed with in-home care professionals, directly assisting elderly residents who prefer to remain in their homes.
“This is what real social care and protection looks like. Our goal is to build a strong network of support that receives stable and proper backing from the state,” he added.
Moreover, Paphos municipality underlined the vital work carried out by the city’s welfare organisations, many of which offer services to vulnerable groups. The mayor highlighted the adult centres and the Zeta Emilianidou multidimensional social care centre as examples of successful local programmes.
Phedonos stressed the importance of social cohesion, saying the municipality works hard to support local groups and volunteers. But he made clear that social solidarity is not only the responsibility of local authorities or NGOs.
“It must be a national priority,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Stavros Parlaris, associate professor of social work at Frederick University, presented the future of social enterprises in Cyprus. He pointed to these businesses as sustainable models that can transform the way third-sector organisations operate.
The municipality’s annual grant to social organisations, Phedonos added, is more than symbolic.
“It’s a tangible sign of our respect and appreciation for the work they do.”
The project is expected to bring not only comfort and dignity to the elderly but also a shift in how elderly care is approached across the island.Follow Cyprus Mail on Google News
