The Internet and the various digital platforms currently available allow us all to continue to interact with family and friends, despite the social distancing recomended to prevend the spread of COVID-19.
This interaction is important and essential so that seniors don’t feel even more isolated. For this reason, Elderly Care activities continue to take place every week, through Zoom and Whatsapp platforms, with which seniors are already familiarizing themselves.
This week the following online activities took place:
- Active Memory
On April 27th, another session of the “Active Memory” programme took place, featuring various themes, namely: procedures during confinement and the meaning and commitment of Bayat. Exercises to activate the memory of seniors were made, based on the structure of the Ismaili Center, Lisbon. Memory failures are on the list of problems considered usual in old age. Although it is not always a serious disease, forgetfulness should not be ignored.
- Golden Age Activity Lisbon
On April 23rd, another online activity organized by Elderly Care took place. José Neves, coach and therapist from Bowen, and Gabriela Paleta, trained in Ayurveda medicine, were the speakers in this session. The topics covered were: autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), immune system, food and practices for managing thoughts and emotions, related to the current reality, where seniors are challenged to remain confined. The speaker Gabriela Paleta reinforced that “prevention is the best way to promote health”.
- Awakening Activity (in synergy with AKHB)
On April 24th, another activity of the “Awakening” programme took place. Cognitive function is associated with the coordination of different areas responsible for brain activity. Among the benefits resulting from the cognitive activities of these sessions for seniors, the preservation of autonomy, independence and mental stability stand out.
- Gymnastics and physical exercise
Online gym classes continue taking place for seniors in Lisbon and Oeiras, every Tuesday and Friday, and for seniors in Seixal, on Saturdays. In addition to keeping seniors active, physical activity can help reduce the impact of some of the illnesses that seniors are subject to.
In addition, seniors have also been exercising through a Whatsapp group, in which every day, at 12:15 pm, training videos are shared for them to replicate (in synergy with Youth & Sports).
Advancing age often brings sleep disturbances. The practice of physical exercise contributes substantially to a better, deeper and more regenerating sleep.
- Golden Age Seixal Activity
On April 22nd, another Golden Age activity for seniors in Seixal took place, based on the theories of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a Japanese neuroscientist dedicated to map the brain regions that control emotions, language, memory and knowledge.
Seniors have devoted a few minutes a day to training the brain by quickly performing simple mathematical calculations and reading books aloud, in order to preserve mental clarity and delay the effects of aging.
Seniors (+60) who want to participate in the mentioned programs can contact the following Elderly Care members:
- Shelina Amade: (Lisbon) 968 385 002
- Salima Sadrudin: (Seixal) 933 080 185
- Farida Nurali: (Oeiras) 960 400 250
