Andorra's Ageing Service Celebrates 5 Years with Open Day

Andorra's Ageing and Health Service at SAAS marked its fifth anniversary on Thursday with an open day at the Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell’s Consultes Externes building. Around 30 visitors toured the facilities, spoke with the multidisciplinary team—including five doctors, nurses across outpatient, convalescence, and acute psychogeriatrics units, rehabilitation therapists, physiotherapists, a social worker, a neuropsychologist, and a physical trainer—and heard a conference by service head Eva Heras titled "A New Model of Care for Ageing: Five Years of Experience."

Launched in January 2021 following the Covid-19 pandemic, the service has experienced exponential growth, with outpatient consultations rising more than 200% due to increased referrals from primary care. Heras reported strong results from specialised geriatric care, including better patient outcomes in hospital stays. SAAS data from January 1, 2021, to October 15, 2025, show the team directly attended 876 patients, managed 2,377 geriatric hospital admissions, and conducted 8,849 visits, including home and intermediate care.

Heras highlighted the service's holistic model, addressing not just medical issues but also cognitive, emotional, social, and functional needs to treat individuals comprehensively. Community initiatives include the APTITUDE project, which screened nearly 900 people for frailty and published findings in an international journal. Other efforts feature small cognitive stimulation groups, physical exercise to boost mobility and cut fall risks, the Reactiva’t programme for social engagement, and dementia family support to reduce stress and improve communication.

SAAS director general Meritxell Cosan opened the conference, praising the service's launch as a major achievement and urging proactive steps to extend healthy lifespans. Heras stressed prevention and early frailty detection through exercise, cognitive work, and social aid to maintain independence and prevent dependency.

With projections of over 20,000 Andorrans aged 65-plus by 2031—driven by retirees staying in the country rather than leaving—Heras said resources currently suffice but must grow with demand, though no budget expansion is allocated yet. "Ageing is a privilege thanks to health and social advances, but it must come with autonomy," she said. "We need to add life to years, not years to life." The event closed with staff and guests blowing out candles on a celebratory cake.