Conferences for the International Day of Older Persons in Maspalomas

The Department of Social Services, Social Action and the Elderly of the town council of the town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana held this Friday, September 29, with the collaboration of ISCAN Servicio Integrales, some training sessions on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons under the motto 'Let's end ageism'

 

More than 80 people attended the Sociocultural Center for the Elderly of San Fernando to listen to the presentations and the subsequent round table where the problem of “age discrimination, how it affects our elders and how to eradicate it to allow the full development of people” was addressed. . This was explained by the Councilor for Social Services, Social Action and the Elderly, Dimas Sarmiento (CC), who highlighted that “the population pyramid is changing, in 20 years we will have a mostly older population and it is necessary that the different administrations begin to put measures for the future, from all areas to adapt infrastructure to reality: accessibility, residences, beaches, gardens... a plan must be projected to adapt all infrastructure so that when the time comes, we will be prepared."  

 

The presentations and the debate raised in the form of a round table were led by the sports technician, Ramón Alonso, who spoke about the importance of activity in older people for healthy aging. Alonso pointed out the importance of city councils promoting activities aimed at the elderly, “currently there is a general awareness about the importance of practicing some physical activity, both sporting and preventive. The increase in the number of school hours, for example, in physical education already indicates the importance, and is the way forward to incorporate the activity into our daily lives.” 

 

 

For her part, Josefa Lorenzo, president of the Peritia et Doctrina program of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the General Directorate of Social Services of the Department of Employment and Social Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands, in favor of greater social involvement , as an initiative aimed at providing educational assistance and allowing access to the University to sectors of the population other than the traditional one. Lorenzo presented the portfolio of activities that the ULPGC offers to those over 55 years of age, which the university contributes to “solidarity social care, which, in addition, forms and thereby increases the cultural level of the community.”

The name of the project arises from the idea of ​​combining the Peritia, "the experience and knowledge that the elderly bring due to previous training and/or age", and the Doctrine, "the knowledge that they can still acquire," Lorenzo explained. For his part, Basilio Ania, a retired doctor, shared with the attendees his personal experience regarding retirement, indicating the advantages, disadvantages and opportunities that older people find after retirement. 

 

After the round table, attendees shared a healthy breakfast and participated in workshops and activities such as Yoga, Pilates, Biodanza, Drawing or Zumba.