INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

The oldest residents of our region remain active participants in their communities and are living witnesses to history. Their presence gave special significance to the ceremonial session of the regional assembly. We had the honor of welcoming:

• Czesław Romankiewicz – Toruń
• Irena Krasińska – Rachcin (Lipno County)
• Józef Dalecki – Bydgoszcz
• Kunegunda Gajewska – Kruszyn (Bydgoszcz County)
• Regina Ostrowska – Toruń

 

Our honorary guests and their caregivers received training on using the wristbands from Kacper Truszyński and Dawid Zawichrowski of the Marshal’s Regional Social Welfare Center. The centenarians were able to test the devices under the supervision of specialists and familiarize themselves with their features and operation. The first bracelets were presented by Michał Neumann, Director of the Regional Center for Social Policy.

 

Mobile Emergency Wristbands for Centenarians from Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region

The Marshal’s home telecare program already supports over 3,500 residents of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. As part of the project, seniors who live in participating municipalities and meet certain health criteria receive “life bracelets” — mobile devices that monitor vital signs and allow for quick emergency assistance in case of danger.

 

As many as 87 local and municipal governments have joined the program. Partners also include Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the Regional Ambulance Service, and the Ekspert-Kujawy Foundation from Inowrocław.

 

By decision of Marshal Piotr Całbecki, the project has been expanded to include a new segment. Every resident of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region who reaches 100 years of age—regardless of place of residence (even outside the participating municipalities) or health status—will receive an emergency wristband free of charge. They will also be honored with the Marshal’s Unitas Durat medal. The first five centenarians received their life bracelets before the Regional Parliament Session.

 

Over the past 14 months, the telecare center, operated by the Regional Center for Social Policy and staffed by emergency responders from the Regional Ambulance Service, has handled 6,500 calls for assistance through the system. In over 100 cases, it was necessary to dispatch emergency services. Later this year, some participants will also receive telemedicine kits, enabling early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.

 

The Marshal’s home telecare program is currently financed by the European Funds for Kujawy and Pomorze 2021-2027 regional program. The total cost is 33 million PLN, with 28 million PLN  coming from EU funds. The remaining 5 million PLN is contributed by the regional self-government and partner organizations.

 

The project is carried out on behalf of the Marshal by the Regional Centre for Social Policy (ROPS) in Toruń.

 

Attention, Families of Centenarians!

In the second half of the summer holidays, staff from the Regional Centre for Social Policy will begin contacting by phone the families of centenarian and older residents of the region who have already been honored with the Unitas Durat medal. The purpose of these calls will be to arrange delivery of the wristbands and to collect the necessary data for properly configuring the devices so that they are ready to use immediately.

 

Life Bracelets – Reliable Everyday Support

These wrist-worn devices, which closely resemble modern, stylish smartwatches, provide 24/7 connection to the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Telecare Center and enable quick emergency alerts in life-threatening situations. The bracelets are equipped with fall detectors and measure blood pressure and oxygen saturation, allowing for continuous health monitoring.

 

The latest generation devices—those distributed to centenarians and other new participants in the project—offer additional smartwatch features: step counters, clock, calendar, and an easy-to-use charging system tailored to the needs and abilities of elderly users.

 

In 2024, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Telecare Center handled:

• 5,404 notifications
• including 2,843 SOS alerts
• 2,561 automatic fall alerts
• 296 direct interventions
• 88 emergency service dispatches

 

Seniors in Numbers – Growing Need for Support

According to the latest data, by the end of 2023, there were 419 people aged 100 and over living in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region—319 women and 100 men. Additionally, residents aged 65 and over now constitute over 20% of the region’s population—nearly 409,000 people. In response to these demographic changes, the regional self-government continues to expand programs aimed at improving the quality of life and safety of seniors.

 

Since 2018, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region has honored its oldest residents with the Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal. To date, over 480 seniors have received this distinction, including the oldest resident of the region, Helena Marcinkowska from Brodnica, born in 1919.

 

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

June 13, 2025