Young at heart

We have been providing home care for the terminally ill for over twenty years. Although this is the best and cheapest form of support, unfortunately, it is not always possible and often it is simply not enough. That is why we wanted to create a special center in Sosnowiec to supplement our current offer with 24-hour support. Our aim was to reach out to other elderly people in the area, who had been struggling with illness, loneliness, sadness, sometimes depression and other problems of old age. We hoped to create a place that not only offers a spot for spending free time but also rehab and physiotherapy classes that can help regain health and improve physical fitness.

In 2009 we decided to build a multifunctional care center. We've started a public fund raising initiative. Five years later we decided to apply for an EU grant. The money collected from donors over several years gave us a contribution needed for a project as big as this one. It was used to purchase the building of the former mining school, which we then expanded and adapted for the social service center. As a result, the elderly from our region can benefit from a day center, psychological support center, community care and rehabilitation services. In the new extension we have a stationary hospice. It was also possible to renovate the apartment adjacent to the center and give it a status of an assisted living residence.

We take a holistic approach: taking care of mind, body and spirit. Various classes help keep seniors in the best possible condition. We work with doctors, nurses, therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists. We also offer support for families and people who take care of ill people. So that they can rest a bit while their beloved ones stay in the center.

Care, Rehabilitation and Psychological Support Centre in Zagłębie won a distinction in the poll Modernization of the Year 2017. The jury appreciated the functionality and availability of the rooms for the disabled, as well as the aesthetics of the surrounding and complexity of care. The center also took first place in the voting of the Internet users.

Senior policy, due to the progressing demographic crisis, is one of the key challenges and priorities of our country. Long-term measures taken at many levels are intended to create proper conditions for aging with dignity and health. To put it simply, we need to provide the oldest citizens, many of whom still want to be active, with appropriate care and wise support. Just because we lack strength with age does not mean that we have to give up our passions, the life we love, friends or meetings.

The diverse health situation of dependent people, their level of wealth, as well as their family status, influence the amount of help that the elderly and the sick receive from their relatives. We know from experience that with a deteriorating health condition, many seniors are left without any help and their bodies and spirit suffering.

The aim of our project was to create optimal conditions for the seniors to stay relatively autonomous and in good health. Research shows that the best results are achieved by systematically supporting dependent groups in their current place of residence. And that's the support our project provided. For dependent persons we have prepared short stays in the Day Care Centre or provided short-term care in a 24-hour ward. We also introduced assistive services and community care. And we created the Senior Club "Under the umbrella". In total, these different forms of care can be used by more than 50 citizens.

At the same time we supported seniors’ families and relatives. Because every carer, even the most devoted one, needs a break from time to time. Therefore, while we take care of the sick person, their relatives can improve their own health and rest a bit.

So far more than 300 inhabitants of Sosnowiec and neighboring towns have benefited from the support offered by the center. Many seniors have managed to improve their health. They have become more independent, stronger and definitely happier. The introduction of an external carer into the home environment has stimulated whole families to better organize their care.

I'm 78 years old, I have some problems with my health, sometimes I forget things. For a long time I felt I could use some help and care, I even started looking for it. I first heard about the day care center in my health clinic. They said that it is run by the St. Thomas’ Hospice and that it is for all seniors, not just the terminally ill. What a good decision it was! After all, here you can not only improve your health, but also have an interesting time. I don't know which is better.

A special minibus collects me from my place and takes me to the center. I spend 5 days a week here, from 8:00 to 16:00. Every day I am welcomed by friendly staff, doctors and nurses, therapists and rehab experts. I feel I’m well taken care of. I take part in gymnastics classes, rehabilitation, massages and even cryotherapy treatments. But I like riding a stationary bike and stretching exercises with ribbons best. I have an appointment with a psychologist from time to time.

Let me put it this way: only after a few weeks my mood has improved significantly and my health has improved as well, and now I can't imagine life without this place. I met nice people here. We don't spend all day exercising. We also have music therapy classes, lectures on health. There is time for books, crossword puzzles and friendly chats. During art classes we practice our manual skills to stay fit. We go on trips - last year we were in Wadowice and Tyniec. You feel better in company of others, more energized. We're like family. We visit the residents of the hospice, talk to them, support them. It's important to them and to us.

Why am I here? Because I still want to do something, I don't want to sit in my apartment all day. I recommend such support to all of my friends. At our age, it's important to keep moving, to keep on living. But not everyone is so positive about life at this age, many people just let go. Suddenly the world, in which so much has happened, is empty, despite everything you still wish to do. Don't let it happen!