The daily routine of seniors – both dangers and opportunities

Need support

« Active retirees do a lot of beautiful work, » said Bronius Maskeliūnas, a senior living in Domeikava eldership.

He is convinced that people feel happier not when they take, but when they give.

However, according to B. Maskeliūnas, sharing is not very simple – not only personal initiatives, good wishes, but also effective support are needed to implement the initiatives invented.

« Personal initiatives are necessary, but the ambitions must be supported by the organizers who focus on common purposes – their community, the country, » noted B. Maskeliūnas.

The interlocutor is based on personal experience. Astronomical engineer Domeikava center and the gymnasium have decorated with their own built -up sundial clocks.

He stressed that it would be impossible to implement such an idea without the support of the eldership.

Avoids the insulation

According to B. Maskeliūnas and other active seniors spoken by Kaunas Day, the workers of the eldership have many opportunities to diversify the daily routine of seniors and make it more rich.

This is also sought by the workers of the elderships, who believe that active seniors can bring all the benefits.

« The elderly, seniors, their experiences, their desire to be useful in community activities. These activities – various events, parties, handicrafts, books, sports clubs. Active participation not only benefits to communities, but also helps seniors themselves to avoid isolation and strengthen social relations, » said the functions of the elder.

Values: B. Maskeliūnas, author of sundials decorating public places in Domeikava, emphasizes that it is necessary to be active in order to live in a meaningful life. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšenskas, Edgar Cickiewicz

Women are more active

However, if seniors are passive, unmotivated, government authorities may be powerless.

Seniors are sometimes heard complaints about the lack of health to go to the event and fear at a big event to become infected with a virus.

« I would point out that older women who are more active in social activities are more energetic. Each initiative and experience are primarily important for the person, » said Daiva Sabiničienė, Chief Specialist of Žaliakalnis eldership.

The burden of everyday life

However, even the best wishes of seniors can be suppressed by the daily routine surrounding people – ailments, deprivation due to low pensions.

This circumstance was reminded by the Dainava eldership, a member of the Dainava eldership community and Birutė Zeigienė, a member of the Kaunas City Municipality Seniors’ Affairs Commission. (Dainava eldership has 12 236 people over 65 years old).

Although it itself retirement, it does not only prevent you to be active, but also to understand why others may lack that activity.

« When I hang event ads, sometimes I get a person and talk about troubles. He says that the event will not be able to come because, for example, to care for a sick spouse or spouse. In this case, a closed lifestyle is determined by worries, not attitude – I don’t want to. But if they do not come to the event. And the Seniors’ Club is also sung in the Mass at the good shepherd’s church in Dainava eldership.

Like: V. Butkaitienė’s lifestyle – colorful and rich. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšenskas, Edgar Cickiewicz

Routine frames

The elder I. Kuktienė, who shared her observations, emphasized that the eldership is trying to offer as many activities as possible, which would find at least some time in the most complex routine.

“Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Libraries, Šančiai, Panemunė units offer various activities such as art classes, exhibitions, various events, book presentations. Many programs for all ages are implemented and Panemunė eldership.

There are sightseeing tours in Šančiai eldership, introducing the history of Šančiai and the special scenery. There are great places for active recreation in the territory of Panemunė eldership – Jiesia Landscape Reserve, Panemunė Shill, Panemunė Beach. Not surprisingly, there are many seniors walking with Nordic walking sticks. Panemunė shilling sports trainers, volleyball, basketball, petanque yards. The elderly need activities that provide communication, knowledge, help to escape their daily routine and make new friendships, ”said I. Kuktienė.

A total of 8 235 people over 65 are home to Šančiai and Panemunė elderships.

Mobility: Seniors appreciate the parks installed in the parks. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšenskas, Edgar Cickiewicz

A special choir

D. Sabiničienė, an employee of Žaliakalnis eldership, emphasized that the eldership had a special choir.

« Seniors who have gathered in Žaliakalnis, together with the head of Arvydas Paulauskas, created the Žaliakalnis Seniors Choir, which has been delighted by their songs for years, » said D. Sabiničienė.

Vita Sutkienė, Deputy Elder of Domeikava eldership, who told about popular activities and activities in Domeikava eldership, highlighted protrusions, sports, volunteering, participation in the activities of the Third Age University (TAU) and the attractiveness of art circles.

In Dainava eldership, seniors are playing in the ensemble « Sūduva » led by Teresa Varnagirienė.

« Seniors participate in various events that invite lecturers, singers, healthy lifestyle specialists, participate in songs, dance groups, community educational programs – Advent wreaths, Christmas toys, » said a specialist in the ward.

1,760 seniors live in Domeikava eldership.

Too little initiatives?

I. Kuktienė, the elder of Šančiai, pointed out the « social recipe » inciatice.

« The aim of the initiative is to help the elderly discover activities, supports, the source of joy, the pleasure of communication, improve the quality of life. Participation in group activities contributes to the reduction of chronic non -infectious diseases, improves emotional psychological health, reduces exclusion and loneliness, strengthens physical health. »

It is noted that elderly people are eager to volunteer, such as before St. Christmas visits social exclusion residents, donates gifts, and provides a variety of help.

Sometimes seniors just have to communicate.

« In the eldership, seniors are more likely to receive questions about the problems of the residence, conflicts with neighbors or social assistance, and often single seniors often only want to talk, » noted Žaliakalnis eldership employee (in this eldership lives about 5,400 people over 65 years old).

Provision: Butkaičiai pays a lot of attention to a healthy lifestyle. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšenskas, Edgar Cickiewicz

The chief dancer

Seniors Virginija Butkaitienė, who lives in Domeikava eldership, has a disability certificate (the result of a stroke many years ago), but her lifestyle is colorful and rich.

« I am a former forester. Until the age of 73, I have been working, and now we live with my spouse, we can say, in the woods. Thirteen years we visit, participate in the health of the health, swim in the echet when needed, help the Pažaislis monastery. « We are pouring tangled candles, we do not use special measures to mask military equipment,” said V. Butkaitienė.

A lot of activities, work and a variety of worries are waiting for her at home.

« We have four goats, 3 ha of land, a greenhouse, a sauna. My husband is 87 years old. We love dancing. I dance linear dances. We dance both last year, but now I dance alone and I am the oldest in that group, » the senior noted.

Butkaičiai pays a lot of attention to a healthy lifestyle.

« We take part in healthy food, seal festivals. We do exercise every morning, my husband’s exercise takes a long time, I do shorter. We grow absolutely all vegetables, pears, apples. We drink goat milk, make butter, cheese.

It is important to have a hobby

Vitas Petraitis, who lives and never bored in the High Šančiai, likes to emphasize that he lives in an exclusive place.

« I was born near the zoo, but I spent my whole life in the High Šančiai. My wife is eternal, French Street. If the occasion occurs, I am a reminder – I am from the High Shacan. Higher Culture – High Culture, High Morality,

According to him, it is important to have a hobby when it comes to living in a boring and meaningful way.

« If any, it needed to be activated. In the past, I had a hobby to line, write. I had to visit foreign countries before my retirement. I saw a lot new, I met expatriates, I contributed to the Lithuanian newspaper in Ireland – I wrote.

I started to become interested in literary life. I learned about the creative association « Kauno Branduma ». There gather there, those who write a little bit, draw. Greta is thinning, but we are still gathering and not going to divide, ”assured V. Petraitis.

According to him, human activity is significantly determined by the characteristics of the way: if a person closes the way, is reluctant to communicate, he will be difficult to engage in the life of the community and the eldership.

« Not only the character, but also other factors, such as whether a person lives next to the eldership or somewhere away from it. It is very important not to get on with their troubles and diseases. Activities can be easily found, » he said.

Active senior

B. Maskeliūnas, author of sundials decorating public places in Domeikava, emphasizes that it is necessary to be active in order to live in a meaningful life.

« We need to show a personal initiative. When you show the initiative, there are both helping and supportive, » said Maskeliūnas, assuring that he has no time to get bored or in bed.

He created the first sundial in his homestead and then came up with the idea of ​​developing the idea further.

« As I joke, I became an astronomer at Smukštar. I became interested in astronomy, got acquainted with the secrets of the sundials well -known specialist. With the help of the eldership and support for the sundial, a very good place was chosen – probably the most beautiful Domeikava. Geometric, mathematical, physical, astronomical training model, specially adapted to students, ”explained B. Maskeliūnas.

The creative and energetic senior also takes care of his physical form.

« Sometimes it is said to have a lot of time in retirement. However, you are not able to do much. We and my wife pay a lot of attention to the homestead because it has been one of the most beautiful in Lithuania. We do not want to lose a beautiful homestead status. I also go to a gym three times a week.

Important: Butkaičiai receives a lot of health benefits from the well -rich goat’s milk and its products. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšenskas, Edgar Cickiewicz

Seeks to expand communion

Senior B. Zeigienė, who lives in Dainava eldership, devotes almost all her time to organize various events.

« The eldership is very important in such activities. For example, last year we organized twelve events. It is very good when events take place in large spaces, such as parks. It would be impossible without the help of the eldership, » she said.

When planning events, B. Zeigienė also thinks people with special needs.

« We communicate with the visitors of the Dainava Care Center, and the staff of the center also helps – they bring people to events. Literally, we try to involve as large and diverse community as possible, to expand communion, » the seniors emphasized.