People in the later stages of their lives may find it difficult to take good care of themselves. Older persons, particularly those with dementia, mobility problems, Parkinson’s disease, mental or emotional problems may need help meeting their day-to-day needs. This is where day-care centres can be a blessing for older persons, and for their families.

Co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Day Care Centres for the Elderly (KIFI) operate in all 13 regions of Greece. Working through municipalities and non-governmental organisations KIFI centres are open structures of hospitality and care for older persons who find themselves unable to take care of themselves independently. Through services including nursing, personal hygiene and recreational activities, KIFI keep older people within their families and social environment, avoiding institutionalisation and social exclusion.

George, 75, regularly visits a KIFI centre, and is happy with the help he receives there, stating, ‘Following my daughter’s advice I visited the Day Center for the Elderly of my city and met people of my age who faced similar problems.  […] The services I receive gave me courage and energy to live and enjoy my life. I look forward to go there every day to meet my new friends and be taken care of […]’

Further, the centres can alleviate difficulties experienced by the service users’ families. Older people often have chronic illnesses, and their families sometimes find it difficult to respond to their care needs due to existing work, family or financial obligations.

George’s daughter, Maria, stated, ‘When my mother passed away, my father needed my constant support to make it through the day. As I am a working mother of two children, I felt that time was never enough, so I advised him to visit the Day Center for the Elderly in our neighborhood. Now he seems much happier and I can cope with my duties in a better way.  It truly has benefitted all of us by improving the quality of our lives.’

This is KIFI’s ultimate aim - to improve the quality of life for both older people using the services, as well as their family members.