The figure is alarming. Although there are still cases to account, the authorities estimate that 2016 would add about a thousand senior citizens who were abandoned by relatives or caregivers.
Until December 1st last year, 315 people still needed to be placed in a care center, after being left alone.
Approximately 450 people had already been relocated throughout the year, totaling 765.
Unfortunately, in Costa Rica the situation of elderly abandonment (PAM) has reached appalling and alarming levels because it is an issue that increases depending on the date, but that is constant throughout the year,”
said Zulema Villalta, President of the National Council of the Elderly Person (CONAPAM).
And the authorities still have to add the number of people who were abandoned at medical centers during December.
Villalta asked to create awareness about this problem, but was emphatic in indicating that they will be ruthless with relatives who commit this offense.
Article 142 of the Criminal Code provides penalties of up to 3 years in prison for those people who are proven to have committed the offense.
If you know of a case of abandonment, which can also occur inside a home, report it to the CONAPAM. You can even do it via 9-1-1.