• The Government of Aragon implements a new model of care for the elderly in small municipalities.
• These spaces allow seniors to receive basic care without leaving their usual environment, combating unwanted loneliness and promoting personal autonomy.
• The initiative is being launched in four towns and is part of a comprehensive plan that includes a future regional law on the rights of the elderly.

The Government of Aragon has taken a decisive step toward a new model of social care with the creation of Casas del Mayor (Houses for the Elderly), social centers without permanent admissions designed to provide basic care and companionship to elderly people living in small rural towns. This initiative was created with the intention of addressing the challenges of aging, depopulation, and unwanted loneliness, guaranteeing close, personalized care tailored to the users' environment.

The General Directorate for Seniors has presented this proposal to the Parliament of Aragon as part of a broader strategy to transform the care system. Senior Centers offer daytime care, with food, hygiene, socializing, and interaction services, without requiring seniors to leave their place of residence.

Pilot project

The program will be launched in four municipalities as a test to observe the project's development and, in the future, to be able to implement it in the autonomous community:

1. Books (Teruel)
2. Monroyo (Teruel)
3. Murero (Zaragoza)
4. Peraltilla (Huesca)

The centers will have a maximum capacity of five people . The model is based on a gradual and adaptive implementation, with funding from the regional government. The initial plan is for up to 20 people to participate in this first phase.

The Senior Citizens' Homes are designed as family-oriented, non-institutionalized spaces for seniors with a high level of autonomy or Level 1 dependency . Throughout the day, users can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the center, in addition to accessing hygiene services and socializing activities.

Regulatory framework and objectives

To ensure a consistent and sustainable implementation, the Government of Aragon has initiated the process of officially regulating Senior Citizens' Homes through a regional order. This regulation establishes the minimum requirements, functional and material conditions, user rights, and obligations of the service providers:

• Promote social interaction and active aging .
• Prevent institutionalization and encourage permanence in the usual environment.
• Provide person- centered care that helps maintain the individual's autonomy.
• Improve quality of life and prevent physical and emotional deterioration.
• Increase the population in rural areas and combat displacement .

The preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Law on the Guarantee of the Rights of Older Persons has also been announced , approved by the Governing Council of Aragon and submitted to public consultation between September and October 2024. In addition, this law will be accompanied by the Strategy against Unwanted Loneliness , with an initial duration of 4 years and a total of 63 measures structured into 5 strategic lines focused on early detection, community strengthening and co-governance.

Complementary actions

Among the most recent actions, initiatives such as the "Connected to Life" program stand out , which has trained more than 3,000 seniors in digital skills, and the launch of the Seniors' Telephone (900.252.626) , a permanent support service available 365 days a year, starting June 16.

With the implementation of Senior Citizen Homes, Aragon consolidates its commitment to a more humane, accessible, and person-centered care model, especially in areas where specialized care is lacking. This initiative combines social innovation, proximity, and respect for the desire to age at home and in community.