Senior Citizen’s Line Within the three specialized helpline services, the ombudsman receives, since 2003, the majority of the telephone claims from the Senior Citizen’s Line. One of the reasons for this to happen seems to relay on the fact that this helpline is nationwide and free of charge. There is also other possible explanation: the Senior Citizen’s Line is one of the few resources especially directed to the elder population and its issues. In addition, the growing aging of the Portuguese population is probably a factor that contributes to the high number of telephone calls received. During 2016, the Ombudsman received, through the Senior Citizen’s Line, 2878 telephone calls. During the same time, the Senior Citizen’s Line registered 132 placed calls regarding contacts with the entities identified in the complaint and intermediation contacts established with the complainants and those entities. Table 10 Telephone calls – Senior Citizen’s Line Received calls Placed calls * 2878 132 * The number of placed calls includes the telephone calls placed to the complainants as well as the telephone calls placed to the entities identified in the complaints. It should be noted that the total number of calls received through this helpline is in accordance with the annual tendency verified since this telephone line was first set up: as a rule, since 2003, the Senior Citizen’s Line has been registering an average of 3000 calls per year, with minor oscillations. Table 11 Main issues – Senior Citizen’s Line 74 | General issues (v.g., daily contracts, neighbours conflicts, driver’s license or identity card renovation) 534 Health 317 Pensions 226 Support services (v.g., day centers, in-home support, tele-assistance) 219 Residential care facilities for the elderly 201 Dependency allowance and other supports to senior citizens 201