On Tuesday, 22 May, in the Forum Hall of BOK – MCC, the community of the Day Care Home in Bolesławiec celebrated the facility’s 30th anniversary. DDP is a day support center providing assistance to elderly and lonely people who require such help because of their age, illness or disability. It helps seniors maintain good psychophysical fitness, essential for functioning independently for as long as possible, that is, remaining in their own homes and communities. The facility also aims to assist people of retirement age, as well as those with limited physical ability, in organizing their everyday lives.
The Day Care Home opened on 17 May 1988 at 4C Starzyńskiego Street (a pharmacy is now located there). The home was established on the initiative of the Social Services Department of the Bolesławiec ZOZ, headed by Hannalora Ilczyna.
The first head of DDP was Anna Kaźmierczak, while Alicja Laskowska was the occupational therapy instructor. In 1990, DDP became part of the Municipal Social Welfare Center. In October 1990, Danuta Zamaro became head of DDP, a position she still holds today.
In 1993, DDP “moved” to its current premises at 6C Staroszkolna Street. The change of location brought many benefits, as the facility is a detached building with an area of more than 900 sq m and extensive green grounds, which serve seniors as a place for rest and recreation.
Over the years, the building has undergone a number of modernizations. The nearest plans include the redevelopment of the ground-floor space, which will create a Senior+ Day Home with an enhanced standard of services.
Around 95 people aged 60 to 100 use the home every day. Seniors are offered activities in the occupational therapy workshop (art, woodworking, cooking, sewing and computer activities), fitness, dexterity and recreational activities, dance therapy, Nordic walking training, singing practice, memory exercises, prevention and education, bibliotherapy and a meal.
In addition, seniors take part in sightseeing trips and celebrations of holidays and anniversaries. “The home places great emphasis on integration with the local community and building intergenerational ties. It actively cooperates with preschools, schools, the therapeutic day room and other senior communities and institutions,” Danuta Zamaro reports.
The 30th anniversary of the Day Care Home was an opportunity to thank its founders, employees and participants, as well as friends, associations and institutions, and to present awards and distinctions to everyone involved in the facility’s work and development. It was also an occasion to present commemorative medals to the Day Care Home’s participants.
This festive day for DDP also included congratulations from volunteers who cooperate with the home on a daily basis, local government officials and representatives of partner organizations and associations. The anniversary celebration was enhanced by a performance by the Jutrzenka ensemble and the vocal workshop from BOK – MCC.