Meeting between the Cyprus Third Age Observatory and the Czech Organization ŽIVOT 90

The Cyprus Third Age Observatory welcomed Yvona Votrubová, a representative of the Prague-based organization ŽIVOT 90, one of the Czech Republic's largest and most experienced senior support organizations, to its offices in Limassol. The visit forms part of an initiative to exchange expertise and best practices among European organizations dedicated to senior care and active ageing.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged insights on promoting active, healthy, and dignified ageing, with a strong focus on preventing older people abuse and neglect, combating ageism, and amplifying the voice of older adults in society. Detailed discussions centered on the operation of prevention centers and emergency support services, as both organizations are developing comparable tools in their respective countries.

Specifically, the Observatory presented its "Red Button" initiative—an innovative immediate response service launched as a pilot in August. Yvona Votrubová presented ŽIVOT 90's counterpart service, "Tísňová péče" (Emergency Care Service), currently operating across 13 regions in the Czech Republic. Both sides recognized these efforts as complementary, offering significant scope for mutual learning and technical exchange.

The dialogue also addressed support helplines for older adults. Since 1992, ŽIVOT 90 has operated "Senior Telefon," the first free and anonymous hotline for seniors in the Czech Republic. Available 24/7, the service handles inquiries regarding loneliness, psychological support, social and legal issues, as well as cases of domestic violence and elder abuse. This extensive background was deemed highly valuable for the Observatory's ongoing planning and expansion of similar services in Cyprus.

Furthermore, both entities outlined their broader program portfolios. The Observatory highlighted its Memory and Creative Expression Center, which offers counseling, psychological support, memory assessment and cognitive stimulation, creative workshops, and caregiver training. Meanwhile, ŽIVOT 90 presented its counseling center alongside its digital security programs designed to protect seniors from online fraud and cyber threats—an initiative the Observatory expressed strong interest in exploring for Cyprus.

In closing, the Cyprus Third Age Observatory and ŽIVOT 90 agreed to establish a close collaboration on areas of mutual interest. Key objectives include exchanging expertise, best practices, and educational resources; joint participation in European programs and advocacy networks; and mutual presence at conferences and events hosted by either organization. Both parties also agreed to explore reciprocal study visits and joint data collection on older people abuse, with the long-term goal of formulating policy proposals aligned with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.