Today is an important day for two million dependents, those who can make history because it can change their lives. The Congress of Deputies debates today, on one hand, whether to support the royal decree approved by the Government, which gives a whopping 6.2 billion euros extra to the autonomous communities for the remainder of this year and next to finally stop the waiting lists of the dependency system. Also, to improve current services and benefits and expand them, as well as to finally end the shameful precariousness of the sector’s professionals.
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There does not seem to be opposition to the approval of this decree, except Vox, which always votes no, focused more on opposing immigration than defending citizens’ rights. The entire sector, from dependents, dependency employers, unions, supports without reservation a decree that guarantees for the future that the Government will contribute half the cost of dependency care, something the Ministry of Social Rights, led by Pablo Bustinduy, had committed to.
This money will serve to implement the new services and rights included in the reform of the dependency law, which is subsequently debated in the Congress of Deputies. Also, the reform of the disability law. Both have been led by Bustinduy’s team.
More services for dependency
The reform of the dependency law, whose report was approved by the Social Rights commission, except for the PP and Vox, guarantees teleassistance to every person with recognized dependency living in their home. Will the PP vote against this legislative reform? Their vote in favor does not seem necessary, although the sector considers that a no to these reforms, when funding is guaranteed (it has always been their argument), would be inexplicable.
Teleassistance is fundamental for thousands of dependents who are denied this tool, considered vital for the care of a person with some degree of dependency, especially the elderly who live alone and are denied it simply for being 80 years old and well.
Because it is more than proven that teleassistance, to which people with dementia will also have the right (now they are denied it), is a preventive tool to avoid or delay admission to a residence, something many people reject. Most dependents want to live in their home and receive care in their environment.
The expansion of teleassistance will allow monitoring how the user is doing and offer other devices such as bracelets that can locate them when they go out on the street. For this, 304 million euros have been paid to the autonomous governments.
Help outside the home
The reform of the dependency law represents a model change, towards more personalized care for dependent people, especially at home. Therefore, it includes an extension of the home help service to actions beyond the domestic sphere and the personal care needs of the user.
For this, the possibility is offered for the caregiver to accompany them in other activities within their community environment, such as going to the doctor or shopping. Following this line, the reform also includes personal assistance as an additional service of the dependency system.
Likewise, the economic benefit for care in the family environment is expanded, recognizing those provided by close persons, thus responding to the needs of people who live alone or with other cohabitants. In a society with small families and where most children work, live far away, and cannot care for dependent elderly, the law reform extends the economic benefit to family caregivers to other close persons, such as a friend or neighbor.
Personal caregivers
Regarding this benefit, another novelty incorporated in the process of listening to society has been the recognition of extending the economic benefit for family care until the last day of the month in which the dependent person dies, thus avoiding situations of having to return economic benefits. This measure provides legal certainty and avoids situations of uncertainty or economic penalty to families or caregivers who have supported until the end of life. It represents a gesture of recognition and respect towards those who care.
Disability law reform
And the reform of the disability law? The most important point, due to all the anguish it generates for people with some disability, is the automatic recognition of 33% disability to people assigned a grade I in the Dependency System. It has also been incorporated that people who obtain a grade II or III dependency will have a pathway to be recognized with 65% disability. Those who wish may request an individualized disability assessment to obtain a higher degree of disability than automatically provided in these pathways.
Additionally, the right to personal autonomy, independent living, and community inclusion is regulated through the habilitation and rehabilitation of housing. The new law stipulates universal accessibility as enforceable before any authority, so accessibility can be demanded in buildings or services that are public.
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