– We are creating one big family. For 35 years, we have created it every day with hope and the conviction that it is worth doing it for you and with you. Thank you for this time, and I wish all of us at least another 35 years in equally good shape – said the facility manager Marta Jarema, opening the anniversary celebrations on 17 May 2023 at the Forum hall of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre – International Ceramics Centre.
The 35th anniversary of the Senior+ Day Centre was an opportunity to thank its founders, employees and participants, friends, associations and institutions, workplaces, and also to present awards and distinctions to everyone involved in the facility’s work and development.
A special distinction went to Ryszardzie Stępień and Krystynie Radzik – the oldest female participants at the facility.
On that day, 22 heart-shaped medals also went to those most involved in the life of the Centre. Commemorative medals were awarded to: Edward Biegasiewicz, Michalina Burdukiewicz, Ludmiła Chlastawa, Teresa Góralska, Romuald Kardzis, Zofia Kasperowicz, Jolanta Kisielewicz, Bolesław Kociołek, Maria Kozłowska, Stanisław Kożuchowski, Tadeusz Krzywiecki, Krystyna Kuźniarz, Aniela Łeńska, Janina Maroszek, Zuzanna Ostrowska, Jadwiga Pietrowicz, Maria Sadlak, Maria Irena Sykuła, Katarzyna Tarnowska, Julia Turoń, Zofia Wójcik, Zbigniew Żak.
City Hall: – The anniversary also included congratulations from Bolesławiec mayor Piotr Roman, conveyed on the mayor’s behalf by deputy mayor Renata Szewczyk, as well as from local government officials, volunteers who work with the centre every day, and representatives of partner institutions, organisations and associations.
The anniversary ceremony was enhanced by performances from DDS+ residents, the Emenemsy band, and students from the School Complex of Construction: Martyna Rudzik, Kacper Warmus accompanied by Artur Nowak. The DDS+ residents’ cabaret and the Ocelot group also performed on stage.
It is worth recalling that the Senior+ Day Centre is a day-support facility providing assistance to older, single 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 help people of retirement age, as well as those with limited physical fitness, organise their everyday lives. The services provided include, in particular, physical activation, mental activation for seniors, developing social and cultural interests, and improving fitness through occupational therapy.
The Senior+ Day Centre is located at 6 c Staroszkolna Street in Bolesławiec. The ground floor contains a club room, kitchenette, dining room, gym, nurse’s room, relaxation room, cloakroom, meal distribution room and toilets. The first floor contains occupational-therapy rooms and a computer room. Participants can also use the garden area with a gazebo and an outdoor gym.
At DDS+, intergenerational meetings are among the most common forms of social activation for seniors. Using the centre restores participants’ sense of self-worth and security, satisfies their need for belonging and for making interpersonal connections, and offers support, friendship, understanding and the respect of others. It provides opportunities for self-realisation, motivates them to learn new things and discover new interests and passions.