REN Redes Energeticas Nacionais : Misericórdia de Sines and REN provide free teleassistance service for the elderly

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sines and REN will establish a partnership to provide a Teleassistance Service, 24 hours a day and free of charge, to the elderly. Responding to medical emergencies, identifying cases of domestic violence and combating loneliness are this project's main objectives. All it takes is for the users to press a button in a remote control and within seconds, they will be contacted by a call centre.

The service central, under the purview of Helphone, works on a permanent basis, 365 days a year, and does not require having a phone at hand. With operators especially trained for this purpose, the system works through a button on a remote control (which can be worn on the wrist like a watch or hung as a pendant) that users press, being quickly contacted by a call centre. This system is connected to a fixed intercom that covers an area of 200 m2 and is compatible with all phone networks in the market.

There are currently 15 users, with an average age of 77 years, benefiting from this service: 13 women and 2 men, all of them living in the urban area of the municipality of Sines.

Margarida Ferreirinha, the company's Head of Communication and Sustainability said: 'We have a policy of proximity in the local communities where we are present and REN has, in Sines, a significant part of its activity' 'We support this project by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sines because we believe it makes a difference to the population of Sines, especially for the elderly', she added.

For Luís Venturinha de Vilhena, Director of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sines, 'this support by REN represents a precious contribution that enables bringing continuity to a commendable project that, among many things, encourages the elderly to remain in their homes, delaying their institutionalization and giving them the ability to have permanent attention just one small click away. Additionally, this project enriches the Institution's Home Support Service, which thus extends beyond support in terms of food, personal hygiene and home hygiene. In the event of an accident, medical emergency or even in situations of loneliness, our users are better protected and monitored and that gives us greater conviction that our mission is being fulfilled. We are very grateful to REN for this support because together we can make a difference for those who need it the most.'