Older Adults – Wellness Shepherd

The International Day of Older Adults is celebrated, by proclamation of the United Nations, on October 1 every year.

In Mexico this event dovetails with the country’s Senior Day at the end of September. Festivities are held at senior centers, senior homes, and on DIF (government social service) grounds.

For those of you who haven’t been to Mexico, especially Guadalajara, its “tapatio” residents love to sing and dance no matter their age. Being around these folks will automatically lift your spirits. They love to dress up, eat well, and have fun. Most of all, they never give up despite mobility issues or aches and pains.

In Mexico there are 7.5 million persons 70 or older. This number is expected to reach 8.5 million in 2020, and 10.2 million by 2030. According to the Mexican government, at 60 you are an older adult. It is unclear why the number of boomers and persons ages 60-70 are not included in the Mexican government statistics (INEGI) reports.

In the U.S. there are 70-80 million adults who will be over 65 by 2020.

This year I attended the Asilo Juan Pablo II senior day festivities (see earlier post September 2016) at http://www.WellnessShepherd.com .

Last year I attended an event at DIF’s Centro de Amistad Internacional (Center of International Friendship) on Calle Eulogio Parra 2539 just off Lopez Mateo in Guadalajara. It was co-hosted by the Office of Older Adults for the State of Jalisco, Mexico and by INAPAM ( the National Institute for Older Adults, est. in 2002). It was held on the first Sunday of October from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Groups of seniors performed dances, ladies were offered free beauty treatments by the Irma de Zuniga make-up academy located on Lopez Cotilla in downtown Guadalajara (www.irmadezuniga.com), there were talks by gerontologists, nutritionists and others experts. Jhre Chacon and his team of healing touch trainees from UNCOA offered massages, Reiki, and other relaxing experiences for the guests. There were also poetry readings and card games.

older adult folkloric dancers, Guadalajara

healing touch holistic care for older adults, Guadalajara, offered by UNCOA

Queen for a Day make-up gift for older adults, Guadalajara

Ana Maria Luz Garcia, owner of the historic restaurant La Fonda de Arcangel Miguel (www.fondasanmiguelarcangel.com, housed in a colonial convent in the center of Guadalajara), hosted the buffet breakfast/brunch. Garcia is a passionate advocate for healthy living at any age.

Consuelo Manzo Chavez, Director of Older Adults for DIF presided with Alma Solis Montiel, who at the time was the Director of INAPAM but is now the Director General of the Institute for Older Adults for the State of Jalisco.

International Day of Older Adults with DIF and INAPAM Directors & amigita Leila — International Day of Older Adults with Senior Care Advisor Wendy Jane Carrel, DIF Director Consuelo Manzo Chavez, and former INAPAM Director Alma Solis – now Director of the Institute of Older Adults for the state of Jalisco, with unidentified older adult, and human rights attorney Laila Martinez de Santiago

sweet resident with sweet volunteer Mari — Sweet Zenaida, daughter of Juan Pablo II resident Jose, with precious volunteer Mari who is not only a warm greeter at the home but is part of the outreach to over 30 seniors in the neighborhood

This week Guadalajara, Mexico has seen senior centers, DIF (government social services), non-profits serving older adults, and private sector senior residences celebrating Mexico’s Day of the Older Adult, also referred to as Dia de los Abuelos (Day of the Grandparents). The occasion has been feted every August 28 since 1982.

Guadalajara’s parish of San Bernardo, a social justice block with a church serving 3,000 parishioners, houses a two floor senior home, Asilo Juan Pablo II, where festivities have been in full force. (The diocese also provides a school for Downs Syndrome children, a rehabilitation home for over 50 men, and a palliative care and hospice with 8 beds and outreach to 65 patients, Juntos Contra el Dolor). The Sr. Cura of the Church, Father Engelberto Polino Sanchez is the guardian for the community.

On Saturday, August 27, DIF sponsored a breakfast for the 52 male and female residents. On Sunday, August 28, Father Engelberto celebrated mass. Afterward, the older adults enjoyed a meal of pozole (a stew of vegetables, hominy, and pork) served with jamaica (a hibiscus drink), plus live Mexican music provided by an electric piano and a singer. Mexicans love festivities and the seniors at Asilo Juan Pablo II are no different. They were happy campers.

Below are photos commemorating those in support of older adults, as well as the appreciative seniors who live at Asilo Juan Pablo II. It is a Mexican custom for the older generation not to smile too quickly in photos. An exception, the charming church priests below with their energy of light…

DSCN0719 — Sr. Cura Engelberto who presided mass for the seniors on Mexican Day of Older Adults pictured with Padre Francisco of Templo de San Bernardo, Guadalajara

DSCN0120 — Reverent seniors, about 30 of whom are wheel chair bound at Asilo Juan Pablo II, Guadalajara, attending mass on Mexico’s Day of Older Adults

DSCN0146 — senior who is not feeling well with Alicia, an adorable favorite enjoying pozole

DSCN0148 — disabled senior with super attentive wife who kindly dances with and cheers up other seniors

DSCN0129 — Severely disabled man Eliseo who is not a senior, rescued from the street and given a home at Asilo Juan Pablo II. He is popular for his enthusiasm

DSCN0156 — Dancing at Day of the Older Adults, Asilo Juan Pablo II, Guadalajara, Mexico

Note: The Juan Pablo II home, a non-profit, is well run. There are challenges with raising funds and providing enough for the residents. The home survives successfully, none the less. Seniors with pensions pay for private or shared rooms. There are indigent seniors who have been rescued. One disabled man around the age of 50, was found in the streets and is living most contentedly at the assisted living, as mentioned in photo above.

The dedicated administrator Bertha C. Gonzalez offers a clean, efficient service with good standards for quality of life in Mexico, up to and including Mexican carino (kindness and care). She hand selects and supervises a team of nursing assistants and nurses, many of whom are sent by various schools to train at the home. Every day there is occupational therapy and some form of physical workout. Every other day there is entertainment, among other activities. Many residents are talented artists, handicrafts experts, and poets. The home is connected to the large church so that those in wheelchairs can attend services easily. Being Catholic is not a requirement for residency. The home is currently full. There is a waiting list.

The senior home has outreach to around 30 elders living in the neighborhood through its volunteer group Asilo en Salida. Mari, featured in the first photo, also goes out with the group. For more information about the activities write to asiloensalida@gmail.com

Contact info:

Asilo Juan Pablo II Pro Dignidad Humana, AC asilojp@prodigy.com.mx

Av. Plan de San Luis #1616 Col. Mezquitan Country tel. 3824-5368

Sr. Cura Engelberto Polino Sanchez, Director General

Bertha C. Gonzalez, Administrator Maria Delores Cortes, social worker

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Asilo-Juan-Pablo-II-San-Bernardo-100984640248947/

Category: Older Adults

International Day of the Older Adult is Celebrated in Guadalajara, Mexico

Mexico Honors Older Adults August 28, Dia del Adulto Mayor 2016