Residents at DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia living the high life to stay fit and alert!

Social activities and interaction are key elements of the care provided at the DomusVi centre in Murcia

The past few weeks have been a busy time for residents at the DomusVI centre in the outskirts of the city of Murcia, with a series of social activities and events which reflect the commitment of the management to providing a stimulating and active environment in what is a second home for those enjoying their stays at the facility.

There can certainly be no complaints about a boring routine at the centre, with the social agenda always offering something entertaining and creative, and in just a short space of time residents have enjoyed an amateur production of The Wizard of Oz, an afternoon of bolero and rumba music with the Armonía Musical group from El Puntal and a mask-making activity in which they all tried their hands at the “cartapesta” technique, pasting layers of paper onto mask templates before decorating them with their own designs!

Apart from just a bit of fun, though, there are sound reasons for including such a range of social activities in the monthly programming at DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia (and indeed at all the other DomusVi residences throughout Spain).

Maintaining an active social life can lead to improvements in:

- physical wellbeing, in activities such as adapted gymnastics, physiotherapy and even therapeutic walks.

- emotional wellbeing, through innovative therapeutic activities in which the latest technological advances are made available to residence, allowing them a mental workout which promotes both cognitive and emotional health. These include the “multi-sensory cabin, virtual reality and cognitive tele-rehabilitation.

- social wellbeing, through leisure and free time activities. Playing activates both cognitive and psychomotor skills, as we regularly see in our cookery workshops, excursions, cultural visits, festive and traditional events, parties, etc.

A home full of life

Flexibility is the keyword in the approach to all stays at the DomusVi centre in Murcia: there is no set duration and the type of attention given to each resident is determined according to their individual needs and preferences, whether they are living here long-term or are here only for a short time during convalescence or for a family respite break.

As director Cristina Pastor says, “We make every effort to be a true home, where residents genuinely feel at home, and for this reason our dealings with them are always friendly and personal”.

At the same time, steps are taken to ensure that the residents are in touch with the local community, collaborating with the Town Hall, schools and local associations so that DomusVi is another element of the fabric of local society.

And in addition, the numerous therapeutic activities include new technologies such as VR goggles, which not only provide cognitive stimulation but also give enjoyment and challenge the residents to get to grips with gadgets some of them have never come across before!

The activities at DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia include:

- Cooperation with the local authorities and Third Age centre in Los Dolores

- Cooperation with the Enrique Laborda primary and infants’ school in los Dolores, taking part in inter-generational workshops, and with the Conservatorio de Música de Murcia for cultural activities.

- Excursions to events and to the “Bolos Huertanos” petanque club to play traditional games.

- Cooperation with the Fundación Centauro Quirón in the use of animal therapy.

- Excursions to the Museum of Science and Water and the Aquarium of Murcia.

- Outdoor activities in the 3,000-square-metre gardens, including family visits in the fresh air.

All of these activities help to keep residents active within the community, boosting vitality, learning skills, social skills and autonomy.

An open and inclusive centre

The DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residence actively encourages families of its residents to join in the social life of the centre, taking part in breakfasts, parties and workshops which help to maintain the social dynamic in a natural and inclusive manner. It’s clear that for most residents it is extremely beneficial when members of the family form part of the relaxed and friendly attitude, making the centre even more of a home.

At the same time, other people from the local community are also welcomed in, including a range of societies, clubs and schools nearby, and again, families are warmly invited to come along when these visitors are at the centre.