Books that give life at the San Isidro de Lumbier residence

It was the final touch to a few days of emotion around the ephemeris with a market for second -hand books and marks made by the residents. The first literary market open to the people. A poster announced it days ago: the local residence invited you to celebrate the Book Day from day 18 to yesterday, they exposed their work in the glazed room in the glazed room. There they waited for the arrival of the visits. In front, Pili, “the head of sales”, surrounded by her companions with the center workers, charged the established prices. “We have organized this market with two objectives: disseminate the book and culture and raise funds for small vices:” List with cheese from the local market, txistor and beer, without alcohol, purchase of materials for therapeutic workshops … “, they said. They have been special days of food to their daily lives.

The idea arose from Meritxel Rosa Gonzálezpsychologist and coordinator of the Unit 4 of Psychogeriatrics. “It is about doing activities that respond to what they want, designed according to their tastes, more playful and living activities since the average age profile of this unit is 64 years. We choose them democratically. The fact that they reside in a closed unit does not mean that they do not continue to have the capacity to decide,” he argues. Workers and friends facilitated second -hand books and they and they made the marks with different reasons. It has been very well completed. The activity has brought them closer to reading and have discovered that they like to read more than they thought, each depending on their capacity. Among them, books and comments are exchanged and both the elaboration of the markets, this and the Christmas, as the workshops contribute to the relationship and enjoyment. It is the social part of this initiative, ”adds Meritxel. The psychologist is part of the twenty professionals who serve the 30 residents team (6 per shift). “We want a living center. They are each with their circumstances. We focus on what they can do, not on the disease, with their memory problems and the possible behavioral disorders. You have to take advantage of their abilities,” he says.

To Alfonso Azagra Rey71 -year -old resident, April 23 “is the most important day of the year.” The saying that: “A book is your best friend.” Avid reader, architect by profession, does not forget the first book he read, a hundred years of loneliness and walks through the stay supported in his car full of books.

“Read four at the same time, squeeze the books, summarize and share them because it retains. It has a very good memory and encourages reading to the rest,” he says Cristina urtity olzaNursing assistant.

Alfonso adds with satisfaction that he has collaborated “Mounting El Chiringuito.” For him a book means “entertainment and wisdom, teachings of ancient stories and movements that have changed the world.” Read all genres, although he prefers the black novel, Raymond Chandler and Paul Auster.

To Miguel Ángel Elizondo Martínezwhich is the same age, “celebrating book Day is a very good idea, with recycled books that have been read a long time ago, they are reused and causes them to serve again,” says Corrido. He declares himself less reader than Alfonso and is proud of the elaboration of his mariapaginas with geometric figures. They clarify that they have made them among all: with plastic painting, of different models, drawings and natural textures.

The books are for Miguel Ángel “new worlds to discover, unknown cultures.” The view fails and you can’t read everything I would like. The reading workshop saves him. “I’m very attentive,” he says. Ángel Rodríguez Ezpeleta60 years old, he performed his work in the graphics sector and as what he liked most was to sell, his involvement in this initiative has been to be in charge of the sales post and make marks. “I am not a reader, but participating in this initiative has helped me, because collaborating I have felt good,” he acknowledges. Angel approaches consultation books

Ilargi Liaño Cisneros, Unit nurse, it is clear: “This idea has contributed to improve relationships between them, such as reading or writing workshops, to know each other more; they entertain them for a while, they separate them from TV, they feel less isolated and make a group. They are activities that unite,” he synthesizes. The long two months that have invested in organizing the market, collecting books and preparing separators, have been a great stimulus. ”

Félix Resano Jimeno59, has enjoyed as a seller and with the elaboration of the signals. “I feel good here, it gives me stability. Books help me find peace. Something difficult for me,“ confesses. He warns that it is difficult to concentrate; He tries with books like man in search of meaning (Viktor Frankl). He says that books open horizons and help him understand other life forms and other people. Antonia Maestre Robles He says that “this initiative has been the best thing that has happened.” Ilargi contributes: “The books are travel companions” and Cristina closes: “With a book you are never alone.”

Another reading is part of the daily morning tasks: press reading. It is another way of relating. Alfonso is in charge and gives rise to expressing opinions, to talk about current, social and health issues. The writing workshop with Cristina Urtasun reveals brushstrokes of their lives, the kitchen and the exits to the Arbayun equestrian center and the people are part of their full agenda. “We work as a team so that this is not a boredom; that it is a living unit,” says Meritxel.