Justice and Human Rights Brazil Project #26361

Heliopolis Elderly Center

by ASSOCIACAO DE AMPARO AO IDOSO

Project Report | Oct 21, 2023
Intergenerational Activity: Instituto Velho Amigo

By BARBARA ANDREA FRANCO BORGES | Director

We love learning

On September 14th, 2023, we held an Intergenerational Activity with around 30 children and teenagers from the Baccarelli Institute and 17 older persons from the 'Heliopolios Elderly Center.'

The Baccarelli Institute is a social organization based in the Community of Heliópolis, where it has been active for 25 years as an organ of social transformation through the arts (classical music and dance).

Intergenerational activities can provide:

Unique moments of interaction and connections between people of different ages.
As well as the establishment of bonds and a rich exchange of perspectives.
It enhances the construction of knowledge and life choices.
The deconstruction of preconceptions related to ageism.

The interaction between generations occurred in our literacy class, where the children and teenagers helped the older persons learn how to read and write.

We had a circle session where everyone introduced themselves and shared personal anecdotes about their lives. Afterward, our older adults shared their life experiences and dreams for the future. After reflecting, the young adults recited poems about their individual dreams and life plans. We built a panel displaying all their life experiences and dreams spoken about during the circle activity and their expectations for the future.

Sebastian, an active member of the 'Heliopolis Elderly Center,' aged 67, said: "My biggest dream is to be literate and very healthy. Back in my hometown of Piauí, I always had to work a lot, and studying came last, but now I still really want to learn to read and write, and I have a lot of faith in God that I will succeed. My advice is that you don't give up like me!"

Maria, another active member of the Heliopolis Elderly Center, aged 60, said: "I've always had to work a lot and was never able to study, and now, even at an advanced age, my biggest dream is to be literate."

Luciana, another active member of the Heliopolis Elderly Center, at 75, said: "In Sergipe, where I lived, school was very far away, and I had to walk for many hours on the dirt road to study. Today, I am achieving my dream of knowing how to write all the right words without making any mistakes."

During the interaction, the children and teenagers were made aware of aging in Brazil. They briefly learned about the Statute of the Elderly, which many of them didn't know about, and they reflected on the importance of respecting older persons and how to report any violence against older persons.

It was an excellent event in which young adults and older persons could empathize with one another and get excited about their daily life choices.

Sharing is Caring

Circle Activity

Children and Older Persons working together

Intergenerational Activities

Links:

Instituto Velho Amigo - Heliopolis Elderly Center

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Jul 21, 2023
Socio-educational meeting

By BARBARA ANDREA FRANCO BORGES | Director

Social Education Meeting

GlobalGiving Report
Program Area - Projects
Action taken: Socio-educational meeting.

In the past few months, the first Socio-educational meeting took place here at the Velho Amigo Institute; these meetings take place periodically in partnership with the health network and are cross-cutting themes related to the health of Older Persons.
Our first meeting took place on March 28, with the participation of Speech Therapist Dr. Mariana. The theme was "Aging with Health";

Dr. Mariana initially addressed a broader theme on health in general, teaching older adults that prevention is much better than treatment. She also clarified doubts about dysphagia, known more popularly as 'choking,' an event that people believe to be very common. Dr. Mariana explained what type of attention is needed to prevent choking hazards.

Many participants reported the clarification of doubts; one of them was Mrs. Luzinete (65 years old), who explained to us how the meeting with the doctor had helped her.

"It is excellent to know how to talk about aging with health, and it was too good for me. I had many doubts, and sometimes I wake up with a bitter mouth without knowing what it was. Dr. Mariana explained to us that over the years, we lose a little taste and only want to eat a little. I didn't know that was it; she even talked about food, which was perfect for me. She is a great doctor, and her speech helped me tremendously. I suffer from chronic reflux because I like to eat fatty foods; she advised me not to overeat at night. And she also helped me understand that my cough resulted from overeating and reflux. I corrected my diet and saw a lot of improvement with my cough."

Our meetings on preventive health will continue monthly. We hope to give our community the information they need to stay healthy and live more actively. The Velho Amigo Institute is very excited about this new project, and we will bring in more doctors specializing in preventive medicine and geriatrics.

Thank you for all your help!

Meeting about Preventive Health

Gathering

We love learning

Links:

Instituto Velho Amigo - Heliopolis Elderly Center

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Apr 5, 2023
Back in Action

By BARBARA ANDREA FRANCO BORGES | Director

AEROBICS

As our population ages, it is becoming increasingly common for older individuals to seek out opportunities to engage in physical activity and maintain their health. For some, this means joining fitness classes at the Heliopolis Elderly Center gym. Despite potential challenges associated with age, such as reduced mobility or chronic health conditions, many older individuals are discovering the benefits of returning to exercise. With the support of their communities and trained instructors, they are achieving their fitness goals and improving their overall well-being.

Joining a Heliopolis Elderly Center fitness class can be an excellent way for older individuals to engage with their community and meet new people. These classes offer a sense of belonging and camaraderie, as participants often share similar interests and goals. For individuals who may be struggling with loneliness or isolation, a fitness class can provide much-needed social support and encouragement.

In addition to the social benefits, Heliopolis Elderly Center fitness classes can also improve physical health outcomes for older individuals. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and can also help to manage symptoms of conditions like arthritis. Older individuals who engage in regular physical activity may also experience improvements in balance and mobility, reducing their risk of falls.

While returning to exercise after the holiday season can be challenging for older individuals, the benefits are clear. With the support of the Heliopolis Elderly Center Community and trained instructors, they are able to overcome these challenges and achieve their fitness goals. As more older individuals discover the benefits of physical activity, we can expect to see continued growth in community fitness programs tailored to their unique needs and interests.

STRETCHING

TAI CHI CHUAN

PILATES

Links:

Instituto Velho Amigo - Heliopolis Elderly Center

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