Despite Efforts to Help the Elderly, Abuses Continue
By Oliver Pérez

La region of the Peninsula of Nicoya stands out for having the largest number of longest-living inhabitants in the entire country, and during the annexation celebrations on July 25th, nine of the oldest adults in the canton, five of whom are more than 100, received recognition from President Chinchilla.

The president highlighted the importance of “paying honor to such valuable citizens who have given their support to building this beloved land and our country.” But despite this recognition and even though the Integral Law for the Elderly Person protects them, it seems the reality on the street is another.

So far this year, 249 older adults in the country have checked into the National Hospital of Geriatrics and Gerontology for mistreatment. This means that the elderly continue being victims of mistreatment, usually from their own family.

Dr. Fernando Morales, director of the geriatric hospital in San Jose, lamented that older ones become the target of aggressions, despite the efforts to eradicate this tragedy. “Despite the institutional advances, mistreatment, segregation and the precarious socioeconomic conditions persist in the lives of some of the elderly,” he declared.

According to the National Council for the Elderly (Conapam), physical, psychological and patrimonial abuse and acts of neglect are some of the forms in which this population is assaulted more and more. Patrimonial abuse includes utilizing the adult’s documents for personal benefit, obliging them to give an inheritance as soon as possible, forging their signature or occupying their residence. But mistreatment of the elderly doesn’t only happen at home.


Problems with Public Transportation Company in Nicoya
One of the problems that many in their golden years face is with the public transportation service. In Costa Rica, Law 7936 establishes that adults older than 65 must receive a subsidy on public transportation services and the companies are obligated to transport them as many times as they need. For trips less than 25km, they should travel without cost; for trips between 25km and 50km, with a 50% discount; and trips greater than 50 km with a discount of 75%.

In late June, one bus company, which provides service from Nicoya to Hojancha, was denounced because they weren’t giving this benefit to the elderly.

Carolina Mora, spokesperson for the Regulatory Authority of Public Services, confirmed to VON that they are now investigating this and other bus companies for not giving the benefit. “The inspectors are on top of the case now. Those who give a public transportation service will not be permitted to disrespect these citizens. The companies should know that they can lose their concession,” indicated Mora.

Efforts on Behalf of the Elderly
With the goal of creating a culture of dignity and respect toward the elderly, in July of 1997 Costa Rican Social Security (CCSS) established the Programa Ciudadano de Oro (Golden Citizen Program) for those 65 and older, explained lawyer Ana Patricia Arguedas Flores.

To date, some 250,000 elderly carry the Ciudadano de Oro card that allows them to obtain a series of benefits like courses, workshops, fairs, festivals, preferential service and discounts of up to 20% in different commercial establishments.

In order to help solve the needs of older people in Nicoya, four employees of the CCSS of this canton in Guanacaste organized in 2009 to form a network of public and private institutions in the canton with the objective of promoting actions in favor of the quality of life of Nicoya’s elderly population and promote physical and mental capacities of older people to achieve healthier aging and a better quality of life.

Today, together with public and private organizations of the region, the RIAAMNI is a reality that impacts 10 organized groups of elderly people located in Nicoya, Nosara, San Antonio and Quebrada Honda.

Source: Voice of Nosara