adaptando (adapting)
snapshots from Chile
These snapshots come from a focus group I ran at El Centro Diurno para El Adulto Mayor (Adult Day Center), which offered interdisciplinary social and medical services for those aging with the least social support in Temuco. The center was designed especially to tackle health problems stemming from loneliness.
| 2 of 3-part series on this center |
Two women, 78 and 83 years old, who were each referred here by their geriatricians, after realizing both were suffering after their kids moved.
Since I live alone, for me [this center] has been a tremendous thing.
To find myself alone… an anxiety attack came over me. It was was a great desperation that I had.
A woman, 72 years old, who runs a knitting class at the center on Mondays, after the staff approached her asking if she’d like to take charge.
Inside here [this center], there’s no space to feel alone, no home for loneliness. Here we have workshops, workshops, workshops. All that’s left is time for lunch and some free time.
So inside here… no, but outside, we’ll go to our homes, where I take care of my husband, the housework. There’s no time for loneliness. It stays outside.
A couple, 68 and 71 years old, newly settling in. So far, they particularly enjoy the weekly reading groups usually on the topic of politics, but also family.
Our kids were also taught [to have] a lot of respect. We have two girls and two boys. But, there’s one boy who’s way up north. And he doesn’t remember us… nothing.
[Another women adds:] Because kids get married, or sometimes live in your house, but they have their plans. And [an aging parent] many times doesn’t factor into these plans.
Two attendees who receive, like all clients, all of their medical care, social services, and community, in one spot. Given it’s challenging to move about, this has changed all facets of their lives.
Photos taken by Grace Ellrodt with subjects’ consent.