The Alzheimer's prevention workshop which takes place in the Cultural Centre of La Cala, every Monday and Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 13:30 hours, has already completed its first year in operation. This initiative is possible thanks to the collaboration agreement signed by the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer's patients of Mijas (AFA Mijas) and the Mijas Town Hall, which provides the facilities of the Cultural Centre of La Cala for the development of the sessions, as well as maintaining contact with foreign groups to detect possible new cases.
"Given the dispersion of the population of Mijas, we understand that we must facilitate the lives of families and people suffering from this type of disease or dementia, especially because their mobility is complicated and, although they do not usually have physical problems, it is difficult for them to organise themselves and move, for example, to the headquarters of AFA in Mijas Pueblo, so we think we should continue with this programme here in La Cala", said the councillor of the Department of Foreigners of Mijas, Mario Bravo (PP).
From day one, the Lions Club of La Cala has also collaborated in this necessary initiative, offering volunteers to accompany the users but also subsidising part of the therapies of some of the beneficiaries. "Today is a great day for us, we are celebrating our first year and we are very happy because we are currently helping 10 people, but also their families, because they can have some time for themselves", said Sandra Tavendale, coordinator of this programme at the Lions Club of La Cala, adding that "in the group we now have English speakers, but there is also a German, a Norwegian and two Spaniards, all very multicultural".
In this preventive workshop, users exercise their minds through games, drawings, activities, songs and even basic Spanish lessons for those who have not yet mastered the language. "It is a very beneficial workshop for the treatment of cognitive deterioration and to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease", recalled Mari Carmen López, psychologist at the AFA Mijas Day Centre, also encouraging "families in La Cala to contact us if they have a case nearby".
The evolution of the patients, said volunteer Indra Collie, "begins to be noticed almost from the first day, since at first it is a little difficult for them but they soon get the hang of it, they do the work and games by themselves, and they notice the difference a lot, are also entertained and have fun with us. Being with them is a wonderful experience because they teach us a lot".
These classes also take place in Las Lagunas, on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings, benefiting another ten residents of this area. "Previously they were given at Cortijo Don Elías but the families had a lot of difficulties in getting there, so this government team decided to reserve a space in the Casa de la Cultura, where the workshops of the Open University are given", said the councillor for Social Inclusion and Open University, Melisa Ceballos (PP).
As in every anniversary, this group from La Cala has blown out the first candle of a social programme that, for sure, will continue for many years in the municipality. Congratulations and keep on adding years!
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