“The markets anticipate a successful exit from the bailout agreements as virtually certain and our development plans aim at a comprehensive plan that will be credible for the markets and Greek society,” Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said on Tuesday in an interview with ‘Efimerida Ton Syntakton‘ newspaper.
He explained that the bailout agreement signed in July 2015 was a compromise. “It was a mix of reforms so that public administration operates more efficiently, the licencing of companies becomes easier and tax evasion is reduced,” he said.
Tsakalotos said the government is preparing a growth plan that will be for the benefit of the medium and low income social classes.
He added that he is to meet the new German finance minister in due time.
This is good news for Greece but the growth problem has not been solved by any means as the economy is still weak and, although start ups, employment and manufacturing activity are all picking up a lot needs to be for the country’s economy to return to health.
The tourism sector has shown a spectacular growth, it’s true but tourism numbers fluctuate. Catering to a more steady clientele would help create a more stable income for the economy. Such a sector is the retirement homes, nursing homes or assisted living homes.
The hospitality industry facilities can be expanded and altered to serve as retirement homes (or assistive living for the disabled) for the provision of elder care (also called long term care, or nursing home care) to the aging Europeans.
Retirement in a warm Mediterranean country can be a very attractive option for aging Europeans, a fast growing population in Europe. As retirees are leaving employment, they rely on a pension income which will create a steady financial base for the elder care services (unlike the inconsistent income from tourism).
Services to seniors can come as a package:
-health care: this can take many forms, it can be a nurse visiting the nursing home on specific days and times or an on site nursing station that can provide 24 hour emergency care (blood pressure monitoring, insulin monitoring, well being checks, etc)
-well-being counseling and services: physiotherapy, massage, nutritional counseling, bereavement and grief counseling, courses on how to deal with aging, etc
-food services: facilities for residents to prepare meals or an onsite restaurant with staff trained to provide food services to seniors (special diets for diabetics, special consistencies etc)
-dementia and Alzheimer’s care
-housekeeping
-personal care (bathing, medication monitoring, haircuts, clothes banks, etc)
-recreation: visits to museums/local attractions, walks to the parks, birthday parties, anniversary parties, Christmas/Easter celebrations, family reunions, gardening, knitting/cross stitching clubs, book reading clubs, exercise clubs, dancing/singing clubs). The goal is to maintain active living and social engaging for emotional well being, happiness and quality of life.
-religious services: small chapel and liturgy
Retirement industry is a fast growing sector in most advanced countries. Great potential for growth in Greece as well.