{"id":35222,"date":"2025-01-23T13:52:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T11:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frmr.ro\/?p=35222"},"modified":"2026-03-11T12:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T10:01:24","slug":"topul-nevoilor-apelantilor-la-telefonul-varstnicului-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/topul-nevoilor-apelantilor-la-telefonul-varstnicului-in-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Romania's Elderly, Between Loneliness and the Desire for Social Participation \u2013 Top Needs of Callers to the Elderly\u2019s Helpline in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Romania's elderly people, between loneliness and the desire for social participation<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 23, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 The Elderly Helpline<\/em><\/strong>, the only national free telephone line dedicated to elderly people<\/em>, operated for 9 years by the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, recorded a total of 10,480 calls<\/strong> in 2024, of which 2,193 were unique callers<\/strong>, and 275 benefited from the weekly call service<\/strong>. The figures reflect a growing need for emotional, informational and practical support for one of the most vulnerable demographic categories in the country. The free line 0800 460 001<\/strong> has been a point of support for elderly people affected by loneliness, material deprivation and poor health. They found listening, guidance, social and psychological counselling.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The portrait of elderly people seeking support<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In a society where 1 in 3 elderly people lives alone<\/strong>, and at the Elderly Helpline<\/em> 55% of elderly callers stated that they live alone<\/strong>, this highlights the acute social isolation faced by elderly people in Romania. Other categories include people living with partners (25%<\/strong>), with other persons (10%)<\/strong>, or in extended households, together with children or grandchildren (8%<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

The majority of those who called the Elderly Helpline<\/em> in 2024 are women (56%<\/strong>), but men also represent an important category, with 970 callers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The age distribution shows that most callers are in the 70\u201380 age range (35%)<\/strong>, followed by those aged 80\u201390 (18%)<\/strong> and those between 65\u201370 (15%)<\/strong>. Additionally, 10%<\/strong> of the calls were initiated by relatives, who requested indirect support.<\/p>\n

National and regional impact<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

From elderly people in Bucharest and Ilfov<\/strong>, where 596 calls<\/strong> were recorded, to those in Moldova (421)<\/strong> and Transylvania (408)<\/strong>, the Elderly Helpline<\/em> is a truly national service. The challenges related to access to support services are acutely felt in rural areas and small towns<\/strong>, from where 908 calls<\/strong> originated.<\/p>\n

Main needs of elderly people in 2024<\/em><\/p>\n

The data from 2024 highlights not only the loneliness, financial difficulties, and medical challenges faced by elderly people, but also their desire to remain active and involved in social life.<\/p>\n

The most frequent requests, ranking first<\/strong>, were for practical, useful and reliable information.<\/strong> 926 elderly people<\/strong> obtained, free of charge and easily, relevant contacts and updated information for specific situations<\/strong> from the specialized team. The social workers of the telephone line operate with a database containing approximately 1,400 public institutions, social services or private providers offering specific services for elderly people, continuously updated.<\/p>\n

The need for care and practical support at home<\/strong> remained<\/strong> in second place<\/strong> among the reasons for calling. Information about available specialized services, referrals to residential care homes for elderly people and institutionalization procedures and resources available in the community, as well as recommendations regarding institutions that provide home medical care, were received by 840 callers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Compared to 2023,<\/strong> elderly people\u2019s need to remain active and participate in the community even after retirement<\/strong> rose by two positions,<\/strong> ranking third in 2024.<\/strong> Thus,<\/strong> 278 elderly people<\/strong> received, through the Elderly Helpline<\/em>,<\/strong> information about opportunities to participate in <\/strong>digital education workshops for elderly people<\/strong><\/a> organized in Bucharest and in 10 other localities across the country,<\/strong> about community volunteering opportunities<\/strong>, such as the Generations Centres<\/strong><\/a>, or about<\/strong> activities organized in community clubs for elderly people<\/strong> or at the Elderly TeleClub<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fourth place<\/strong> in the ranking of calls from elderly people was represented by requests for financial and material support,<\/strong> from<\/strong> 234 callers<\/strong>. The project team recommended appropriate community resources tailored to individual needs, operated by Social Assistance Directorates (DGAS) or NGOs, which can provide food products, hygiene and sanitary items, or social vouchers.<\/p>\n

The need for emotional support<\/strong> dropped one position compared to 2023, reaching fifth place.<\/strong> For 111 elderly people<\/strong> struggling<\/strong> with loneliness, current social or personal challenges<\/strong>, the Elderly Helpline<\/em><\/strong> responded through its own weekly follow-up call services and psychological counselling, <\/strong>provided free of charge by volunteer psychologists,<\/strong> or by referral to partner organizations<\/strong> offering specialized services in their community.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good solution for a person who is alone, struggling within four walls and feeling them closing in, because that is the feeling when you are alone \u2013 that the walls are tightening around you; you want to talk to someone and there is no one left, because your loved ones are gone. You have given me hope. Although we have spoken for the first time now, I already feel a little more relaxed, my thoughts have changed; time seems to pass differently and my morale has improved. Thank you for offering such support,\u201d<\/em> confessed Mrs. S, aged 82, whose husband passed away in 2024 and who lives alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Programs dedicated to elderly people by the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2024, 275 elderly people<\/strong> were included in the weekly follow-up call service<\/strong> and received constant emotional support from three social workers and 15 specially trained volunteers from the Elderly Helpline<\/em> team. Psychological counselling<\/strong>, provided free of charge by volunteer psychologists, was offered to elderly people who needed it.\n\nDigital education workshops for elderly people<\/strong> were organized for 755 elderly people in Bucharest and 10 other localities throughout 2024; they obtained details and were able to register through the Elderly Helpline<\/em>. Through the Generations<\/strong> programme, 176 elderly people wishing to remain active after retirement became volunteers supporting children from disadvantaged families within community social centres that carry out after-school<\/em> activities. The Elderly Fund<\/strong> supported 930 elderly people from several areas of the country, acting as an emergency fund to address urgent needs both through direct assistance and through support provided to NGOs offering services dedicated to elderly people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social and demographic context<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Romania is facing an accelerated ageing of the population, and 1.35 million elderly people over the age of 65 live alone or in isolation, according to recent statistics. The lack of resources, difficult access to information useful for daily living, and limited social opportunities are major challenges for this demographic category. The Elderly Helpline<\/em> thus becomes an essential pillar of support, offering both a line of communication and a safe space for expressing needs and finding solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Calls can be made free of charge at 0800 460 001<\/strong>, from Monday to Friday between 08:00 \u2013 20:00 and on Saturday between 08:00 \u2013 16:00.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Elderly Helpline<\/em><\/strong> is a social project supported in 2024 by Vodafone Foundation Romania, the Romanian National Lottery Company, Johnson Wax, Imedica SA, Yardi Romania.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Established in 1990 by Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, together with her father, King Michael, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is today an elite non-governmental organization that supports children, youth, and elderly people through sustainable interventions based on the exchange of experience and values between generations. Throughout its 35 years of activity, the Foundation has developed numerous sustainable projects in the fields of education, community development, civil society, health, and culture\u2014projects that have contributed to the spiritual and social renewal of Romania. The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation supports elderly people through programs designed to increase their quality of life, with the involvement of volunteers and the mobilization of institutional partners and the entire community, the most recent being The Elderly Fund, The Elderly Helpline, Generations Community Centers, and Connecting Generations in the Digital World. <\/em>More details are available at fundatiaregala.ro\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About The Elderly Helpline<\/strong><\/p>\n

Established in 2015 as a response to the issue of aging, the social service Elderly Helpline<\/em> <\/strong>maps and responds to the needs faced by Romania's elderly people, based on over 100,000 conversations and the requests expressed by more than 19,500 unique callers, beneficiaries of the program, coming from all corners of the country. Burdened by worries, fears, material deprivation, health problems, but also by loneliness, marginalization, or limited access to information, elderly people call the toll-free number 0800 460 001 to find a listening ear, comfort, guidance, social counseling, psychological counseling, as well as practical or material help.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Seniorii Rom\u00e2niei, \u00eentre singur\u0103tate \u0219i dorin\u021ba de participare social\u0103 23 ianuarie 2025 \u2013 Telefonul V\u00e2rstnicului, singura linie telefonic\u0103 na\u021bional\u0103 gratuit\u0103 dedicat\u0103 seniorilor, operat de 9 ani de Funda\u021bia Regal\u0103 Margareta a Rom\u00e2niei, a \u00eenregistrat \u00een anul 2024 un total de 10.480 de apeluri, dintre care 2.193 au fost apelan\u021bi unici, iar 275 au beneficiat de [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,33,38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-23","category-comunicate","category-telefonul-varstnicului"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35222"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38055,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35222\/revisions\/38055"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundatiaregala.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}