Municipal support for elderly living alone with ΄Click of Life΄

Aiming to ensure a dignified and independent life for elderly people living alone, the Municipality of Central Corfu is adding a new service—“Independent Living and Safe Aging for the Elderly”—to its range of social initiatives. This project has been included in the ‘Ionian Islands 2021–2027’ Programme following a decision by the Regional Governor.

The new service programme was announced at a joint press conference by the Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, Yiannis Trepeklis, the Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Stefanos Poulimenos, the Deputy Mayor for Health, Spyros Galanis, and the Mayor of North Corfu, Giorgos Mahimaris.

This is an emergency alert service that offers discreet but essential care to every elderly or vulnerable person living alone. With a simple action—as easy as pressing a button, a “click of life”—beneficiaries gain autonomy and safety, with immediate support available whenever needed.

It functions as a vital safety net for seniors who may be at risk due to accidents, health issues, or social isolation, reducing feelings of loneliness and insecurity.

What is the “Click of Life”?

It is a small, portable device (like a button) that is easily worn on the wrist or around the neck.

With a single press, it sends a distress signal to specially trained personnel who can provide immediate assistance in the event of a fall, illness, or emergency.

Who can participate

The assisted living service aligns fully with the municipality’s social role and responsibilities in supporting and integrating vulnerable groups that meet the following criteria:

• Elderly individuals (60+) who live alone

• People with fragile health or mobility issues

• Vulnerable citizens who require immediate access to assistance

The service includes:

• 24/7 monitoring of elderly individuals through specialised devices (home monitoring systems with fall detection & panic buttons, and location tracking devices for outside the home) which are provided and installed for the elderly person.

• The ability for elderly users to communicate directly with a Call Management Centre—two-way communication with open audio—by simply pressing the panic button. This service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, without requiring them to move or dial any number.

Budget and Implementation

The project has a total budget of €240,000 and will benefit 200 individuals over a 24-month period.

Following the approval of the project’s inclusion, the Municipality will begin the process of selecting a contractor. This contractor will be responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure (operating space, call centre, telecommunications, and IT systems) and human resources (psychologists, social workers) for continuous monitoring and remote care.