BOLZANO. The last to have crossed the 100-year milestone was Mrs Olga Brighel on 3 January, celebrated not only by her family but also by the staff of the Firmian long-term care home, where she is a guest. Mayor Renzo Caramaschi also arrived for the occasion with the tricolor sash and bouquet of flowers.
«Mrs Olga – says the mayor – is the first person from Bolzano to have celebrated the century in the new year. In 2024, there were a total of 69 centenarians. In 2016, when my first mandate began, there were a total of six or seven. It means that in just a few years, life has been significantly extended.”
This certainly bodes well for everyone. But it forces those who administer the city to develop a plan – which is what councilor Juri Andriollo is doing – for the third and fourth ages.
We need to strengthen home services to allow people to stay at home for as long as possible; between one’s things and one’s affections.
But Bolzano also needs a new retirement home, because the current structures are not enough. There are at least 200 people on the waiting list and the number is expected to increase further in the coming years.