Loulé City Council yesterday launched work to expand the headquarters of the Parkinson and Alzheimer's Patients Association, which involves an investment of more than 300 thousand euros and will provide the center with the capacity to receive an additional 10 users.
The Day Center building of the Humanitarian Association of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Patients is located in the Vila Sol Urbanization, in Quarteira, and currently has capacity for 20 users.
This work, which according to the municipality «will allow not only to improve the activities carried out here, but also to increase the capacity of the number of users supported by this IPSS», was launched yesterday, with the signing of the consignment notice.
The building, «a house located in an area of excellence to support these patients, in a peaceful environment, with many green areas», had been provided by the Municipality of Loulé in 2018.
To address the limitations of activities due to lack of space, a new “body” will now be created in which, in addition to technical offices, there will be a space dedicated to carrying out various therapies, such as speech therapy, music therapy, psychology or physiotherapy. specific areas, as well as an accommodation room.
At the same time, work will take place to create a 300 square meter sensory garden, which «will further beautify the work», allowing users to have a greater experience of the outdoor space. This is an offer from the Almancil International Rotary Club, one of the Association's benefactors.
Adelino Rocha, president of the institution, assures that, when the works are ready, this will be a «larger and completely new building, with a very big transformation».
«It was recognized by Social Security that, when ready, it will be the best day center in the Algarve. It will be a kind of model day center for the region», guarantees this association leader.
As Alzheimer's is a “tragic and brutal” disease, which drastically affects millions of people around the world, mayor Vítor Aleixo says that this will certainly be “a dignified place with all the conditions for patients”.
The work on this project will be completed within a year and the investment amounts to 320 thousand euros.
In a note, the Loulé municipality states that the Loulé Chamber's support for private social solidarity institutions is part of the «very active municipal policies» that have been developed in Loulé and an international commitment to active and healthy aging.
«It is a new policy that has emerged at European Union level, as a result of advances in medical science and quality of life, as in many societies people are living longer and longer. It is important that they live longer, but in conditions, with dignity, that is, maintaining a certain level of activity, and regular monitoring in the area of health», stressed the mayor.
The construction of the National Skills Center for Active Aging, in partnership with the Ministries of Labor, Social Security and Health, will be one of the most important actions to be carried out in this territory.
The Humanitarian Association of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Patients was founded on December 30, 1998. Due to the need for a more comprehensive social response, the Day Center opened its doors in October 2018, with capacity for 20 users.
The space provides services and promotes socio-cultural and leisure-recreational activities for occupation and social support, to stimulate and maintain the physical and mental capabilities of patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The Day Center's mission is to promote active aging, where users' intellectual, physical and social components are stimulated.
Comments