In 2024, the City Council of Madrid provided preventive and rehabilitative socio-healthcare to elderly individuals with physical, cognitive, or relational impairments to over 6,400 users across the 65 municipal day centers, which have approximately 4,000 spots, and the additional 1,000 spots contracted in private centers. According to the satisfaction survey conducted last year by the users, 90% stated that the assistance received in these facilities improved their quality of life; 94% believed it benefited their family, and 87% claimed that attending the day centers allowed them to continue living in their homes.
The Delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality, José Fernández, shared these data today during his visit to the Municipal Day Center and the Municipal Center for Elderly in Moratalaz, accompanied by the district councilor, Nacho Pezuela. The day center recently increased its number of spots from 65 to 80, in line with the overall growth projected in the new contract for day centers, residences, and municipal apartments, approved in 2024 with a multi-year expenditure of 274 million euros (55 million annually).
To enhance user care, the new contract also includes a significant reinforcement of staff, adding 354 new professionals to surpass 1,400 employees. Additionally, as a novelty, the existing psychologist figure in centers catering to patients with cognitive impairments (Alzheimer’s and other dementias) has been expanded to those attending users with physical or relational impairments, such as the Municipal Day Center in Moratalaz. Simultaneously, in centers with more than 65 spots like this one, a new social worker profile has been introduced, and the nursing service has been strengthened with more hours of care.
99.5% of users would reapply for the service
Through the day centers, the Madrid City Council provides comprehensive care to elderly individuals experiencing losses or deficits in their autonomy to enhance their quality of life and that of their families and caregivers. Users find in this resource a space to socialize, combat unwanted loneliness, and have their needs met through services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and psychology. Additionally, podiatry and hairdressing services are available. All of this is complemented by healthy nutrition, adapted transportation from home to the facilities, and a family support program to involve them in center activities.
According to the 2024 satisfaction survey, 85% of users indicated that attending the day center helped them connect with more people and feel more accompanied, while 80% acknowledged an improvement in their mood. As a result, they rated the service an average of 8.82 out of 10 (compared to 8.68 in 2023), and 99.5% stated they would reapply for it.
More centers under construction
Since 2019, the City Council of Madrid has built and opened a day center in the Villa de Vallecas district. Furthermore, they have just completed the construction of a new center in the multifunctional facility on Fúcar Street, in Centro. Additionally, the Works and Equipment Area is constructing another day center in the multifunctional facility on Francisco Remiro Street, in Salamanca, and one more on Téllez Street, in Retiro.
Simultaneously, the range of spaces provided by the City Council to promote active aging among the elderly continues to grow with the opening of new senior centers. In January of last year, the Mirasierra center, the 92nd in the municipal network, was inaugurated, and two more resources of this kind are being built in the districts of Latina and Salamanca. These additions join four others opened since 2019 in Chamberí, Ciudad Lineal, Latina, and Moncloa-Aravaca, as well as the Intergenerational Center Ouka Leele that opened its doors in 2024 in Arganzuela.
