Ponta Grossa creates program for protection and care of elderly

The Prefeitura de Ponta Grossa sanctioned Law No. 16.128/2026, which establishes the Municipal Program for the Protection and Welcoming of the Elderly. The measure aims to strengthen the care network and ensure priority care for elderly people in situations of social vulnerability, abandonment, neglect, violence or rupture of family ties.

The legislation, published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality on Thursday (12), is the result of Bill No. 221/2026, authored by the councilor Dr. Erick, approved by Câmara Municipal de Ponta Grossa on October 19. The text was sanctioned by prefeita Elizabeth Schmidt on November 10.

Among the main objectives of the program are the expansion of the vacancies in Long Stay Institutions for the Elderly (LLTs), the strengthening of the municipal protection network and the integration of social care and health services.

The law provides for the hiring of emergency vacancies

One of the main measures provided for in the new legislation is the possibility of hiring emergency vacancies in private institutions, when the public or agreed network cannot meet the demand.

To enable care, the City Hall may establish agreements, terms of cooperation and partnerships with public and private entities, in addition to accreditation of institutions specialized in the reception of the elderly.

The program also includes social and psychosocial follow-up of the people welcomed and continuous training of the professionals responsible for the care.

Older victims of violence will have priority

The law authorizes the creation of a municipal registry to identify and organize the demand for institutional reception. The tool should consider criteria related to social vulnerability and the risk faced by the elderly.

In accordance with the legislation, priority will be given to:

Elderly victims of physical, psychological, patrimonial or abandonment violence;

Elderly people in street situations;

Seniors without active family ties or facing family breakup;

People with disabilities, functional dependence or health problems that make it impossible to remain without adequate care.

The proposal seeks to ensure that the most serious cases are identified and addressed primarily by the municipal protection network.

The program also provides support for families.

In addition to institutional care, the new law allows the municipality to develop preventive and follow-up actions, including multi-professional home care, guidance for caring families and educational campaigns on the rights of the elderly.

The text also contemplates initiatives to combat violence, neglect and social exclusion, with the aim of preserving the dignity and quality of life of the elderly population of Ponta Grossa.

The City Council may issue six-monthly reports.

Another point provided for in the legislation is the possibility of submitting six-monthly reports on the operation of the programme.

The documents may present information on the amount of vacancies available, number of receptions performed, repressed demand, active agreements and actions developed.

The measure may contribute to the monitoring of public policy and to the planning of new reception places.

The law also provides for the possibility of allocating specific budgetary resources for the maintenance and expansion of services.

Although the legislation is already in force, it still depends on regulation by the Executive to define the procedures necessary for its implementation. The text does not set a specific deadline for this regulation nor does it determine the amount of new vacancies that should be made available.

The creation of the program represents a new legal instrument for the protection of the elderly population in Ponta Grossa, especially people facing situations of neglect, violence and lack of family assistance.

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