• Català
  • Castellano
  • English

Next week, Day Centre turns five

presentacio aniversari centre del diaThe Formentera Council (CiF) Office of Social Welfare has announced the activities that from April 25-29 will mark the fifth anniversary of the Formentera Day Centre's opening. On Monday organisers have put together an orelletes workshop where participants will come away knowing how to make a favourite in Balearic homes and kitchens. The celebration starts in earnest on Tuesday April 26, with an open house event for residents to get to know the Day Centre from the inside. At 12 noon the Aires Formenterencs will take to the stage and provide music for the birthday celebration. Later, the students of the IES Marc Ferrer cooking and restaurant staff training programme will prepare drinks and hors-d'oeuvres.

The activities continue on Wednesday April 27 when an exhibition of old Formentera snapshots has its opening event. Fotos antigues de Formentera: Ses Salines is part of la Caixa's initiative for seniors, programa 3.0. On Thursday April 28, an info session/colloquium has been organised to educate the public about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Friday April 29, a day full of activities has been planned for users of the Day Centre and their families. Earlier today social welfare councillor Vanessa Parellada and Marta Uriarte, director of the Formentera Day Centre, led a presentation in the centre's conference room with details about the week-long celebration.

Taking it to the community

Councillor Parellada congratulated staff of the centre on five years of hard work, during which time the Formentera Day Centre has taken on an increasingly important role. “Now is a time for expansion,” said Parellada, indicating the goal of “bringing the centre within the reach of the entire community.” “What we want people to understand,” she continued, “is that the elderly here at the centre still have so much to give to the community.” She underscored activities with local school children which are organised to that end. Parellada also spoke about those at the centre with disabilities and said the goal is “to highlight their abilities and promote their day-to-day independent living”. The Council is currently in talks with the Govern Balear's ministry of social affairs to create places at the Formentera Day Centre for patients with mental health issues.

Maria Uriarte reported that there are currently 19 individuals in the centre's elderly group and 11 in the group for persons with disabilities. Sixteen staff members work to provide care for the users. “When someone new comes to the centre,” she explained, “first, we conduct a general assessment. Then, the attention we provide starts with basic health needs, and it goes on to cover everything from psychology, physiotherapy, diet and nutrition, cognitive stimulation and occupational therapy — a necessity for all users.” The centre is authorised to provide service for up to 60 individuals. In addition, there is a transport service available to bring users to and from the centre. The facilities of the Formentera Day Centre are open Monday through Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.