– Photo: Publicity

“At every meeting, we nourish the soul. In our meetings, there is an exchange of life stories,” says 70-year-old Arlette Trentini dos Santos, who participates in the Quinta das Crocheteiras at CCI Gaspar (Centro de Convivência do Idoso).

She says that, convinced of the benefits of this event for her life, her husband, Julio Cesar Bridon dos Santos, also decided to take part. “The Chamber of Commerce does a hell of a lot of good for everyone who attends, I can only praise him, now my husband goes to meetings too, and this is very important. It’s lighter and I’m happier. The local team talks, holds a memory game and other activities with the male wing. This is a really great initiative,” explains Arlet.

Just over two years after the Covid-19 pandemic took everyone by surprise and paralyzed these activities in the city due to the risk of coronavirus infection, progress in vaccination has made it possible to increase the safety of gatherings, and Gaspar City Hall has resumed its work. and strengthening actions aimed at older people in the city. Today, among the activities offered to this public are literacy, gymnastics, aqua aerobics, dance clubs, gymnastics, needlework, crochet, reading and a computer club.

According to the municipality, these initiatives are aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly from Gaspar, as well as promoting integration and socialization at a better age.

Check the schedule and activities of CCI de Gaspar at the link.

“The events that we hold for the elderly fill me with pride. Whenever I can, I follow the presentations of the participants and get emotions from them. From the man who stopped taking a handful of painkillers because she began to practice physical activity, to the woman who was depressed and today is able to socialize and lead a healthy lifestyle. We are always looking to improve these services and offer even more activities,” Mayor Kleber Van Dall says.

The Secretary of Social Assistance, Salesio da Conceição, also highlights the importance of activities for the elderly. “The elderly population in our municipality is growing, so it is important to encourage the active participation of these people in society, and we spare no effort in this. An active, self-reliant and independent elderly person becomes the protagonist of his own story,” emphasizes the secretary.

Active lifestyle, physical and mental health

These actions are essential so that older people can regain their self-esteem and lead healthier lives,” explains Andrea Schram, Gaspard’s Special Advisor for Seniors. “All our actions with the elderly are very important because with their help we can save self-esteem, dignity and provide a healthier life, both physically and mentally, for this population. Due to the fact that we were without classes due to the pandemic, we realized that many older people had problems with depression, for example, ”explains Andrea.

It is for these reasons, she adds, that the resumption of activities is currently aimed at bringing them back to the activities offered by the municipality. “In this way, we can help them close to return them to an active and carefree life. Our main goal now is to involve older people, especially those who live in socially vulnerable situations, in activities, new friends. Our outlook is to return to the same or more pre-pandemic clients, which was around 1,200 per month,” says Andrea.

At the moment, the Center for the Life of the Elderly is open for enrollment in choir, dance and gymnastics classes.

To register, you will need a photo ID (ID card or driver’s license), proof of residence and a 3X4 photo. During the master classes, there are several activities aimed at the best age.

Activities for the elderly in Gaspar

• Fitness
• water aerobics
• folk dance
• coral
• cloth painting
• Mastery
• reading club
• Literacy in partnership with IFSC and SEMED
• board games
• crochet, embroidery

Gimkhana for the elderly

This year, the Municipality of Gaspar is also hosting the 4th edition of the Gymkhana dos Idosos, which was resumed after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, about 70 seniors will take part in the event, divided into five teams.

The competition aims to create an educational campaign on the importance of citizenship among older people, ensuring greater social inclusion, sharing experiences, preserving values, showing solidarity and expanding the universe of information.

Planned activities include fundraising campaigns, seal and bottle cap collection, used cooking oil collection and toy collection. The collected items will be sent to social institutions, which will deliver them to people in vulnerable situations. In addition, unexpected evidence will be circulated during the meetings.

Exam day schedule

The events will take place at the Nursing Center.

• 16 of September
• September 30th
• October 14
• 28 of October
• 11th of November
• November 25