New intervention strategies in Residential Centers for the elderly in situations of social exclusion

Abstract

In Andalucia (Spain), there are residential centers for elderly people in situations of dependency and for those who come from situations of social exclusion (drug addiction, mistreatment, homelessness, mental disorders). The training program that the General Directorate of the elderly of the Junta de Andalucía offers to professionals of the second type of public centers, contemplates intervention strategies used in social exclusion with a high potential for application. These favor a greater adjustment between the new profiles of elderly people in residences and the interventions to be promoted. The training is developed based on the "Game of Concepts". This methodology identifies situations-problems, associated profiles, intervention challenges and key concepts to be implemented. The evaluation of this training initiative highlights the need to establish permanent training programs that help to understand and deal with more highly complex social problems in "sanitarized" contexts (residences for the elderly).