Roma

500,000 signatures in favour of the elderly remaining in their own home and not entering an institute. Many signatures have been collected from all over the world in favour of changing the current phenomenon of indiscriminate institutionalisation to create a new attitude, which allows the elderly person in difficulty to stay in their own home .

To age well is a legitimate aspiration, of all .
"The Letter of  Maria ", collects this aspiration and makes it a proposal . 

"The Letter of Maria" is the voice of many elderly who, supported by friendship, have found the courage to express and make known their will .

The collection of signatures for Maria�s Letter has created solidarity, has given hope to the elderly who often look on a stay in an institute with sadness, as an unavoidable destiny. In many places, committees of �friends of Maria� have been formed themselves to collect signatures, to raise public opinion for Maria�s requests . 

Savona 

There have been many meetings, public conferences, campaigns to collect signatures, initiatives begun through the personal involvement of many .

Through the press too, the letter has been spread, so that thousands of signatures have come from all over.  These signatures are often accompanied by touching comments, personal stories, offers of help, and commitment . This letter has gone beyond the borders of the world of the elderly: it has arrived in schools, offices and homes . Indeed, though most signatories have been the over-65�s, many signatures have also come from young people and adults . 

Roma

In 1997 the first 100.000 signatures, collected in Italy, were delivered to the then President of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, so that he would be a spokesman to Italian institutions of the will of the elderly to remain in their own home, being able to rely on services in their favour. The next objective is that one to officially present the collected signatures to the institutions of the EU .

If you wish to add your signature to this campaign, please fill up the following form.