On 10 October, the Government of the Principality of Asturias presented in Candás (municipality of Carreño) the fully modernised Centro de Día for older people and the Centro de Apoyo a la Integración (CAI). The works were attended by the Minister for Social Affairs, Nerea Monroy . According to the regional government, the refurbishment included a reorganisation of the rooms, renewal of technical systems and additional measures to improve accessibility, energy efficiency and sustainability. The investment amounts to €1.155 million and was funded through programmes from Next Generation EU .
The key change is the move towards an integrated care model centred on promoting autonomy, social inclusion and participation. The day-care service will have 22 places. It currently supports 16 people from Carreño; occupancy of 19 places is expected in the coming weeks. The CAI has 23 places and currently supports 18 people with intellectual disabilities from Carreño and Gozón. The providers’ aim is to keep both services at full capacity on a permanent basis.
The building has a redesigned first floor serving as a shared area for both facilities. It will house an innovation and rehabilitation area with a Snoezelen multisensory room, a space for functional rehabilitation and adapted physical exercise (Espacio Pulso), and an “Espacio Lab” for projects such as community radio, podcasts, 3D printing and digital skills. A therapeutic eco-garden called “Cultivando Bienestar” is planned for the roof terrace, offering horticultural therapy and sensory stimulation.
The facilities are run by the Fundación Asturiana de Atención a las Personas con Discapacidad o Dependencia (Fasad). During the visit, Monroy praised the foundation’s work and described the modernised service as a “benchmark for innovation in the service of people”. The regional government expects the investment to improve the quality of services and create further opportunities for users’ participation and personal development.
Specific figures on the impact of the reform, such as future occupancy beyond the initial start-up phase or measurable savings from more efficient building systems, were not released on Saturday. In the view of people close to the facilities, continued success will depend on the response in the municipalities of Carreño and Gozón and on covering running costs.
With this modernisation, the Principality of Asturias is strengthening local services in Candás. Whether the measure will inspire similar projects in other municipalities can only be assessed after the first months of operation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).