The City of Bolesławiec received first distinction among communes in the “Local Government Friendly to the Education of Older People and Intergenerational Integration” competition. The competition was organized by the Senate of the Republic of Poland. The gala for the winners was held on November 27, 2012, in Warsaw. The prestigious distinction for Bolesławiec was accepted by the city’s deputy mayor Kornel Filipowicz and MOPS director Tadeusz Kupczak.
During the ceremony, Deputy Mayor K. Filipowicz presented the “Bolesławiec – a senior-friendly city” project. The project aims to develop a system of education and intergenerational integration for seniors in order to prevent exclusion and ensure their full participation in social life. It also seeks to develop seniors’ intellectual, mental, social and physical activity, as well as to mobilize the local community for older people through cooperation among institutions, associations and non-governmental organizations.
It is extremely important to develop institutional infrastructure responding to seniors’ needs. The project is addressed to seniors living in the city, since the most important problems faced by older people include loneliness, illness and a sense of uselessness. The project’s objectives are achieved by supporting and maintaining the activities of the Day Care Center, the University of the Third Age, the Bolesławiec Senior Citizens’ Council, the Residential Care Home and projects implemented by the Municipal Social Welfare Center.
The Day Care Center is a facility providing daytime support for seniors. The DCC carries out activities in the following areas:
- education for seniors in computer use and Internet access;
- meeting cultural and social needs (visits to museums, attendance at concerts, literary gatherings with music – a joint project with the Municipal Public Library, and trips to the cinema);
- security and protection of property through the “Safe Senior” project carried out jointly with the Police and Municipal Police;
- health protection and prevention, including lectures on basic health problems.
The facility cooperates with the Diabetics’ Association, the Amazons’ Association and the Polish Association of the Blind. The DCC also provides access to psychological consultations.
Other areas include occupational therapy taking individual interests into account (art classes, cooking classes, music therapy, memory training, art therapy, integrative dancing, a handicrafts corner and logic games); participation in regional reviews of seniors’ artistic and cultural achievements; active leisure (tourist and international trips, integration activities with organizations and other support centers); physical activation (general fitness exercises, participation in senior Olympics and swimming classes at the “Orka” swimming pool); cooperation and integration with other support centers; and integration with seniors from Germany and the Czech Republic through participation in annual international symposia organized by the “Pogranicze” association.
The University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec was established in 2007. University students can learn foreign languages and the basics of computer use. They co-create a vocal ensemble, take painting classes, learn oriental and contemporary dance. Students present their artistic achievements at exhibitions. They maintain their physical fitness by practicing yoga and Nordic walking. The UTA’s body is the Students’ Council, which implements an extensive program. It organizes regular lectures, also for city residents, trips to the theater, opera and philharmonic, as well as sightseeing and tourist excursions. Council members initiate integration and carnival gatherings, picnics and the city senior Olympics; as part of cooperation between partner cities, they also organize preparations for participation in the Senior Olympics in Česká Lípa. The Council supports talented students at Municipal School Complex No. 2 in Bolesławiec. University students attend vernissages and meetings with travelers and interesting people organized by the Museum of Ceramics, BOK-MCC and the Municipal Public Library. They participate in national and international conferences and cooperate with other higher-education institutions in the country.
The Bolesławiec Senior Citizens’ Council was established in 2009. The Council’s main objective is to serve an advisory and consultative role in matters concerning the quality of life of older people. Its activities involve identifying the priorities, needs and problems of seniors and presenting proposals and recommendations for initiatives benefiting older people. The Council consists of 8–12 people selected by the Mayor from among candidates nominated by public institutions and non-governmental organizations whose statutory activities include work for older people.
The Residential Care Home in Bolesławiec has operated since March 2012. The RCH provides accommodation for 48 people. The home is modernly equipped and maintains the highest standards. It has a large, attractively landscaped green area. The RCH enables residents to meet their cultural and religious needs, provides conditions for developing self-governance, and for maintaining and developing contacts with their families and the local community. The RCH plans to organize meetings with interesting people, excursions and concerts, and provide access to an indoor swimming pool, among other activities.
The Municipal Social Welfare Center in Bolesławiec – in addition to carrying out statutory social assistance tasks for older people – implements cost-free projects: “Coffee for a Senior,” a project conducted since 2010 under agreements with four food-service establishments. Seniors can use a presented voucher to receive coffee or tea for a symbolic PLN 2. The “Haircut for a Senior” project has been carried out since July 2011. The center established cooperation with two hair salons. Upon presenting a voucher, seniors were able to receive a discount on a hairdressing service. In 2011, 205 vouchers were issued. The project continues in 2012.
(commissioned information)