”We answer with heart to lonely elderly people!”, a campaign for supporting the urgent needs of elderly people
- 3.8 million elderly people represent Romania's resident population over 65 in 2024
- 1 in 3 elderly people live alone,[1]being more exposed to the risk of poverty and social exclusion
- 4000 elderly people will be helped through the Foundation's dedicated social projects
In Romania, the resident population of elderly people aged 65 and over exceeds 3.8 million. The challenges of old age also come with loneliness, as 1.35 million elderly people live alone. The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is launching the campaign “We Answer with Heart to Lonely Elderly People!”, an initiative through which it aims to provide immediate support and sustainable solutions to socially vulnerable elderly people facing a lack of resources, isolation, or marginalization, both during the Holiday season and throughout the coming year. 4,000 elderly people will benefit from material aid, practical support, and emotional assistance through dedicated social projects.
Through the Elderly Fund program, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation aims to improve the quality of life and social inclusion of elderly people, especially those who are lonely and socially vulnerable. The Elderly Fund is financed through donations and sponsorships, and thousands of elderly people receive material aid, practical support, and emotional assistance each year.
Alongside elderly people. Changing lives, together
The campaign “We Answer with Heart to Lonely Elderly People!” invites company leaders to get involved in urgently supporting elderly people, for whom every day matters. By contributing up to 20% of their 2024 corporate income tax by December 31, companies have the chance to transform taxes into a concrete gesture of solidarity. Together, we can be their voice, easing loneliness, preventing social isolation, and creating opportunities for an active life.
Tens of associations mobilized by the Foundation in support of elderly people
In 2024, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, through the involvement of companies and individual donors, supported 4,000 elderly people and awarded grants to 27 NGOs in Romania which, through local social services, responded to the various needs of elderly people in their communities.
Elderly people benefited from:
- material aid – social vouchers, food, hygiene, sanitary or paramedical products, essential goods
- practical support – home care or housekeeping, delivery of groceries or medicine to the home, social counseling and guidance toward accessible support services in the community
- emotional support, , through socialization activities, loneliness alleviation services or psychological counseling
- as well as solutions for active aging,through volunteering in day centers for children or digital inclusion
“For me, loneliness means isolation. Unfortunately, no one opens my door anymore. Since my husband passed away, my life has ended, as I lost the person I used to communicate with constantly. Now I know that, at least once a week, on Fridays, I have someone to talk to and someone cares about me. I appreciate that I can open up, that you listen to me and are interested in how I am,” Mrs. T, 77 years old, beneficiary.
What can we do to improve the lives of elderly people in Romania?
More than 4,000 elderly people count on the support of the Royal Foundation, not just during the holidays, but every month of the year. For our elderly people, time is no longer an ally. Together we can act and change lives.
Join the campaign and transform your support into hope for those who need it most.
- Companies – Redirect 20% of the tax owed to the state for the 2024 fiscal year by December 31, 2024, by signing a sponsorship contract. The amount available for sponsorship can be calculated at sponsorizez.ro.
- Individuals – Faceți o donation through sending the SMS SINGUR to 8844, pentru a contribui cu 2 Euro lunar[2] to support vulnerable seniors.
How are raised funds used?
- We respond promptly to requests and provide resources or solutions for elderly people
- We alleviate the loneliness of those who have no one left through visits or telephone conversations
- We encourage them to return to the community through recreational, cultural, and social activities or in clubs for elderly people
- We offer psychological counseling and emotional support to elderly people in distress
- We value them and give them the opportunity to be useful as volunteers for children at intergenerational centers
- We provide material aid, through packages or social vouchers, to elderly people in the most difficult life situations
- We offer support and equipment for home caregivers, volunteers, and social workers in communities
- We facilitate access to the services they urgently need: home care, social canteens, day centers, social polyclinics
- We share the holiday spirit through organized menus or meals for lonely elderly people, alongside our volunteers
Media partners: TVR, Radio Romania, Radio Romania Actualități, Radio Romania Antena Satelor, Radio Romania Regional, Radio Trinitas, Forbes Romania, the diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock, Ziarul News, Zenith Media, New Age Media – the media agency of Cinema City cinemas
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About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation
With nearly 35 years of experience in the social field, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is one of the few non-governmental organizations that runs programs dedicated to elderly people in Romania. Over time, with the involvement of volunteers and the mobilization of institutional partners and the entire community, the Foundation has created various solutions aimed at improving their lives, alleviating loneliness, preventing social isolation, or creating opportunities for an active life. The Foundation's programs and campaigns, such as the network ,,For Our Seniors" network, the Elderly Fund programs, the Generations Centers, the Elderly Helpline, the Best Practices for a Beautiful Old Age Conference, and the Connecting Generations in the Digital World project, have restored dignity and hope in old age. More details at fundatiaregala.ro/.
[1] INSSE Raport – Living conditions of the population in Romania in the year 2023
[2] The donation value is 2 Euro/month. The amount allocated to the cause is 2 Euro. No VAT is charged for donations made via subscription. In the Digi Mobil, Orange, and Telekom Romania Mobile networks, for prepaid cards, VAT was withheld upon the purchase of credit. For donations from prepaid cards in the Vodafone network, users do not pay VAT. Campaign carried out with the support of Digi Mobil, Orange Romania, Telekom Romania Mobile, and Vodafone Romania.
