Lugo currently has 2,238 people over 90 years old, of whom 66 are centenarians. This reality is prompting the City Council to seek new responses to promote well-being and meet the needs of an increasingly long-lived population.
The mayor, Elena Candia, is maintaining contact with entities, professionals, and collectives to identify initiatives that leverage the knowledge, talent, and capabilities of older adults. New opportunities linked to the 'silver economy', which encompasses products and services aimed at the population over 50, are also being explored.
The objective is to address longevity from a broad perspective, recognizing the active role of older adults in society and their contribution to city life, as well as exploring avenues for innovation and economic development.
In this context, Elena Candia met with José María López Bourio, president of ProRural, to discuss collaborations in developing a longevity strategy and creating a laboratory in this field. She also met with Pilar Rodríguez Ledo, president of the Spanish Society of General Practitioners and Family Doctors (SEMG), to explore proposals related to research, innovation, and citizen participation, including the potential creation of a chair and a 'Living Lab'.
These meetings are part of a broader dialogue through which the City Council seeks to pool knowledge and explore collaborations to advance towards a city model that addresses the challenges of aging.
The participation of older adults will be fundamental, with plans to activate the Consello do Maior (Council for the Elderly) in November. "It's not just about thinking about how to care for them, but also about listening to them, valuing everything they can contribute, and counting on them to build solutions that improve everyone's lives," stated Elena Candia.
