Dependency management in the Canary Islands has seen a notable improvement, reversing years of waiting lists and accumulated cases. A report from the State Observatory for Dependency places the archipelago at the forefront of growth in beneficiaries receiving benefits, recording a 22% increase compared to the previous year. Furthermore, a 21% reduction in waiting lists has been achieved, with a 95-day decrease in processing times, bringing the average wait to 335 days.
The average time to resolve new applications now stands at approximately 152 days. The regional government attributes these advances to recent measures such as the implementation of a new specialized home help service, advanced telecare, and a regulatory reform that streamlines benefits and strengthens personal assistance.
The report also highlights the continued reduction in deaths of individuals awaiting care, which have fallen from over 6,500 annually in 2023 to a projected 864 people in 2026 if the current pace is maintained. These figures reflect a significant improvement, although important challenges remain in further reducing waiting times and ensuring effective care.
Politics often hinders the recognition of others' successes. However, the recent figures on dependency in the Canary Islands warrant analysis. Although waiting times still exceed reasonable and legal limits, the data shows a positive trend and a way out of the dependency 'limbo,' resulting from professional and serious work, more agile procedures, and better administrative organization.
