Hector Georgiou
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Papaellina has begun on-site inspections at Homes for the Elderly in all districts of Cyprus to ensure that summer protection measures are being implemented, according to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
According to the announcement, the purpose of the inspections is to verify, through spot checks, compliance with the written instructions dated 13/7/26 that were sent by the Social Welfare Services of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare to the owners of Homes for the Elderly under the subject "Taking protective measures during the summer period: Heatwave conditions," in accordance with the Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Law.
In its announcement, the Deputy Ministry of Welfare said that inspections carried out so far found that the air conditioning was operating in the Homes visited by Ms. Papaellina, helping residents cope with the extremely high temperatures.
It is worth mentioning, however, that in its report on 5 July, Kathimerini Cyprus referred to inspections at Homes for the Elderly and addressed the lack of quality inspections, with checks limited to basic issues such as whether air conditioners were working. Well-informed sources who spoke to K's report said there was a lack of meaningful quality inspections at the homes. "Checking whether there are air conditioners or fire extinguishers, although necessary, should not be considered a sufficient inspection in 2026," a well-informed source from the Deputy Ministry of Welfare said.
The Deputy Minister's message
In the same announcement, Ms. Papaellina said that protecting the dignity, safety, and quality of life of elderly people remains the highest priority for the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, adding that inspections will continue consistently and systematically in every district.
In the same report, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Papaellina told K that inspections at Homes for the Elderly are an essential tool for ensuring the quality of services provided. She added that caring for and protecting elderly people is a measure of a society's civilization and social awareness. She also said, "As the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, we are investing in the continuous improvement of social care services and in ensuring dignified living conditions for every elderly person."
Nevertheless, the same sources who spoke to K for its 5 July report said that a draft framework for carrying out quality inspections had been prepared in the past, but it was ultimately shelved.
K also addressed issues related to food, as studies showed that a considerable number of elderly people say they are undernourished because there is no oversight of whether they are given the opportunity to eat outside scheduled meal times or according to their dietary habits. Another important issue previously reported concerned staff working in the homes, as many facilities hire employees from third countries who do not know Greek to the level required by law. Other issues include respect for residents' religious beliefs and whether recreational programs are adequate.
