Browse Ageing Policies

Building on the National Mental Health Plan of 2007–2016, the Active and Healthy Ageing Action Plan 2023–2026 includes several specific measures and activities to promote the mental health of older people. These include: mental health promotion programmes, cognitive stimulation and mental illness prevention programmes, psychiatric morbidity screenings, preventing violence against and abuse and neglect of older people, psychosocial assessment and reinforcement of psychological well-being at work, promotion of proximity responses in mental health for people over 65 years old, implementation of specific geriatric psychiatry responses in local mental health services, improving the work conditions and training of caregivers with a focus on mental health.

The primary goal of the EUSOUDIGITAL program is to help adults acquire initial digital knowledge, with an aim to empower 30,000 volunteers for basic digital training and create 1,500 digital skill training centers in partnership with local municipalities and organizations. The program is implemented by ‘Eu Sou Digital' with support from various institutional partners and co-financing entities, as part of the national initiative INCODE.2030. The program involves volunteers/mentors and operates through centers across the country. It is a national mission to assist adults in taking their first steps on the internet. EUSOUDIGITAL is a nationwide initiative with a network of centers in various districts, including Aveiro, Beja, Braga, and others. It targets Portuguese adults who are new to the internet. The policy includes initial training for internet beginners and a 2-hour online training for mentors who wish to improve someone's life by teaching them internet usage. It also involves establishing learning centers for basic digital skills in local communities. Volunteers are trained to become mentors, and local communities are encouraged to create learning centers, enhancing digital literacy and facilitating employment and digital service access. The program was operating between September 2021 and December 2023.

The Programme Qualifica aims to enhance adult education and training levels, thereby improving employability and fostering educational advancement among the population. The programme is implemented through a network of Centros Qualifica, which are supported by various entities including educational institutions, training centres, municipal councils, businesses, and local development associations. It specifically targets adults who have not completed their education and training. The programme has a broad national reach, with Centros Qualifica facilitating access across the country. Main Features & Strategies: - Lifelong Learning Promotion: Encourages adults to engage in ongoing education. - Guidance Services: Provides personalized guidance to adults based on their individual needs and backgrounds. - Competency Recognition: Recognizes competencies acquired through formal and informal experiences. - Passaporte Qualifica: Issues a document that records the competencies recognized and the qualifications obtained. - Flexible Qualification Responses: Offers tailored qualification options to meet the diverse needs of adults. The programme is executed via Centros Qualifica, which offer individualized services. These centres assess each person's history and goals to determine the most appropriate qualification pathway. The programme was established in 2021.

The Extraordinary extension of unemployment benefit and social benefit was a policy introduced in order to provide financial support to those affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to extend unemployment benefits and social security benefits to ensure subsistence minima for individuals who have lost their income due to the crisis. The policy was implemented by the Government of Portugal, with the legislative framework provided by Decree Law No. 10-F/2020. The main stakeholders were the unemployed individuals, social benefit recipients, and the social security system of Portugal. This policy was national in scope, applying across Portugal. It targeted unemployed individuals and recipients of social benefits, ensuring they continued to receive financial support during the pandemic period. The policy included the extraordinary extension of unemployment benefits and all benefits of the social security system that guarantee minimum subsistence levels. It also suspended the evaluation of conditions (means test) for maintaining these benefits. The observed impact included providing a safety net for those whose income was disrupted due to the pandemic. It helped in preventing social hardship during a time of crisis. The policy was temporary, with the timeframe set from 12 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.

The National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2018–2030 "Portugal + Equal" aims to promote equality and non-discrimination as a foundation for a sustainable future for Portugal, ensuring the full realization of human rights and participation of all individuals. The policy involves various government departments, the Comissão para a Cidadania e a Igualdade de Género (CIG), and civil society organizations, coordinated under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The policy is national in scope, targeting all sectors and populations within Portugal, with a focus on combating discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. The National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination (ENIND) introduces three action plans to address gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Key features of the action plans include measures to combat stereotypes and promote sharing of family responsibilities, the introduction of protection measures for victims of gender-based violence, including legal support and shelter provision, and the implementation of educational programmes to foster respect for diversity. The document outlines a strategic vision until 2030, with evaluation and revision of action plans every four years.

The primary goal of RUTIS (Associação Rede de Universidades da Terceira Idade) is to promote active aging and to value Senior Universities, which are social responses aimed at fostering social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities for individuals over 50 years old. RUTIS is a national and international IPSS (Institution of Public Social Solidarity) with headquarters in Almeirim and a branch in Porto (Academia RUTIS Porto). Key stakeholders include 305 member UTIs, 45,000 senior students, and 5,000 volunteer teachers. The policy covers national and international levels, with a focus on the community and seniors. It involves Senior Universities across Portugal, registered as a trademark by RUTIS. The policy includes non-formal educational activities without certification aims, under the framework of lifelong learning. RUTIS is also involved in various national and international networks and is the only national institution with a state agreement for promoting active aging. The social importance of RUTIS and Senior Universities was officially recognized by the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 76/2016 of November 29, 2016.

The National Network of Integrated Long-Term Care (RNCCI) aims to provide continuous, integrated health care and social support to individuals of any age in a state of dependency. It focuses on overall recovery, promoting autonomy, and improving functionality within the context of dependence. The RNCCI is a partnership between the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security and the Ministry of Health. It also involves family health teams and Local Coordination Teams for implementation. The policy covers temporary and extended functional dependence, older persons with fragility, severe disability, and severe illness. It's national in scope, with services like Convalescent Units, Medium Term and Rehabilitation Units, Long Term Units, and Home Support Teams. Key interventions include medical and nursing care, rehabilitation services, psychological and social support, and assistance with daily living activities. Implementation involves coordinated care through multidisciplinary teams and individualized care plans. The RNCCI's establishment in 2006 and the creation of Integrated Continued Mental Health Care indicate ongoing development and expansion of services.