The Irun City Council, through the Elderly Services department within Social Welfare, has initiated the second phase of the 2026 Isolation Prevention Program. This initiative is designed for individuals over 75 years of age who live alone, aiming to provide personalized support, inform them about available municipal resources, and detect situations of unwanted loneliness.
The program operates in two main periods throughout the year: from January to June and from September to December. This second phase is open to residents of Irun aged 75 and over who live alone, those who have started living alone in the past year, and individuals over 75 living alone who lack social support and are identified by Social Services as needing attention due to their personal circumstances.
Josu Iguiñiz, the delegate for Social Welfare at the Irun City Council, emphasized "the importance of continuing to work with elderly individuals experiencing loneliness and providing them with the necessary professional support so that, in this stage of their lives, they can access various municipal services that allow them to maintain their autonomy, feel accompanied, and remain active members of the city's life." He added, "In Irun, we have many people over 75, and we cannot neglect this group; we must be close, identify potential vulnerabilities, and offer solutions before problems worsen. Our goal is that no one feels alone and that all individuals can face this life stage with dignity, autonomy, and the support they need."
In the coming days, individuals meeting these criteria will receive a letter from the Elderly Services department. The letter will inform them that the program's responsible psychologist, Amagoia Caballero, will be in contact. Subsequently, the professional will make a phone call to explain the program's operation and offer an individualized interview, which can be conducted at the person's home or another agreed-upon location, should they wish.
To ensure the safety and peace of mind of the participants, the psychologist will attend interviews fully accredited with an official identification document from the Irun City Council. Upon completion of the visit, a certificate confirming the clinical interview will be provided. During these interviews, information is offered on municipal resources best suited to each person's needs, and the possibility of participating in weekly cognitive stimulation workshops is presented.
Furthermore, as is customary, several cognitive stimulation workshops have been organized. These workshops last an hour and a half and take place weekly at various social centers and neighborhood associations within the municipality. Through various activities, these workshops target cognitive abilities such as attention, concentration, language, and executive functions. They also foster social skills through exercises focused on emotional regulation, communication, active listening, empathy, and assertiveness, thereby promoting the well-being and social relationships of the participants.
Individuals who meet the access requirements (those over 75 in a situation of loneliness) or wish to obtain more information about the program can directly contact the Elderly Services by calling 943 50 53 48.
