The Alcalá de Guadaíra Town Hall, through Social Services, has launched 'Stay Active This Summer', a programme of daily activities for elderly people aimed at preventing isolation during the summer months.
The 'Luis Velázquez Peña' Active Participation Centre, located in the northern area of Alcalá de Guadaíra, becomes the epicentre of leisure for the town's elderly from this week. Every day, from Monday to Friday, from 10:30 to 12:30, the space hosts workshops, crafts, film forums, dominoes, and board games, all guided by monitors who adapt the activities to the participants' abilities.
The initiative, named 'Stay Active This Summer', arises from the detection of a recurring problem: with the arrival of heat and the closure of many usual establishments, elderly people tend to seclude themselves in their homes and lose their socialisation routine. The programme aims to provide a daily incentive for them to leave their homes, interact, and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and climate-controlled environment.
A climate refuge in the northern area
The chosen centre, located in a neighbourhood with a high density of elderly population, already functions as a climate refuge during the summer months. There, attendees can escape the high temperatures while participating in the scheduled activities. The Social Services delegate, Rocío Bastida, explained that “due to the heat and the holidays, many elderly people find themselves out of their usual routine these days, which causes them to seclude themselves at home.”
Bastida added that “we know that in most cases, it is positive for them to go outside, talk to people, and stay active, which is why we offer an alternative that allows them to have incentives in their daily lives and maintain contact with society, in a climate comfort setting and at times that avoid the hottest temperatures.”
“We know that in most cases, it is positive for them to go outside, talk to people, and stay active,” stated Rocío Bastida.
Diverse and adapted activities
The programme includes everything from creative workshops and crafts to film forum sessions and board games like dominoes. The monitors adjust each proposal to the circumstances and needs of the group, ensuring that everyone can participate without feeling excluded. The idea is for the elderly to find a place to go every day, with a varied offer that breaks the monotony of summer.
For many residents of the northern area of Alcalá, this centre was already a meeting point during the year, but it saw a decline in attendance during the summer. With this initiative, the Town Hall hopes to recover attendance and, at the same time, prevent unwanted loneliness, a problem that worsens in the summer months when family members are on holiday or daily routines blur.
A more active and healthy summer
Socialisation and moderate physical activity have proven positive effects on the health of elderly people. The Town Hall emphasises that the programme aims not only to entertain but also to improve the quality of life of participants, promoting healthy habits and preventing the physical and cognitive decline associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Those interested can go directly to the 'Luis Velázquez Peña' Active Participation Centre during activity hours, without the need for prior registration. The programme will run throughout the summer, from Monday to Friday, and is open to all elderly residents of Alcalá de Guadaíra who wish to join.
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