Inclusion and Rehabilitation Center brings music and joy to the elderly with the action 'Vô com Samba'
Activity opened the Elderly Week at the state shelter Nosso Lar Socorro Gabriel, in Belém
The Integrated Center for Inclusion and Rehabilitation (CIIR) started the week with music, joy, and interaction in a moment dedicated to valuing and welcoming the elderly. On this Monday (29), the Arts and Culture sector of the institution promoted the action "Vô com Samba" at the state shelter Nosso Lar Socorro Gabriel, located in the Maracangalha neighborhood in Belém. The activity marked the opening of the Elderly Week, organized by the shelter in honor of the National and International Day of the Elderly, to be celebrated on the upcoming October 1st.
The activity was led by CIIR's Music teacher, Marcos Mendonça, who brought a samba repertoire full of affection and nostalgia. The presentation also featured the collaboration of other professionals from the institution.
According to Professor Marcos, the proposal of "Vô com Samba" was born as a way to bring collaborators closer to music in a relaxed context, but gained strength when taken to the elderly shelter.
"Samba is nostalgic; it evokes youth, hopes, and lived loves. It is a way to bring joy and to rescue affective memories. It was very gratifying to feel the receptivity of the elderly and to be able to share this moment with them. Besides providing happiness, we also felt happy to contribute to something so special," highlighted the professional.
During the program, residents had access to different moments of valuing memory and artistic expression. There was a video presentation with the best records of activities carried out throughout the year, as well as a poetic declamation led by one of the resident elderly and by the psychologist and poet from Pará, Ana Meireles, who works at the shelter.
For the technical manager of the unit, Aline Cordeiro, the partnership with CIIR strengthens the actions carried out with the elderly. "Today we celebrate the opening of the Elderly Week in partnership with CIIR, which has been developing various activities with our residents throughout the year. This week is very important because we seek to value the elderly, offer quality of life, socialization, and integration with the community. It is essential to show that they are not isolated but are part of society. The support from CIIR is highly relevant because the elderly look forward to these visits, which always bring a lot of interaction and joy."
Emotion was also present in the testimonies of the elderly themselves. Maria Félix, 79, who has lived in the shelter for ten months, highlighted the joy of participating in the opening of the program. "I found this activity very special because it brought excitement to us who live here. Even after a stroke, I managed to dance in my own way, and it was wonderful. I was very happy because here we feel like family. My mother, father, and siblings have passed away, but I have one brother, and here I have also gained friends, companionship, and welcome. Today was an unforgettable day," said the elderly woman.
Program – The Elderly Week at the state shelter also includes a diverse program, chosen with the participation of the residents themselves. Until Friday, October 3rd, games, external outings, moments of prayer, and cultural and recreational activities are planned, aiming to reinforce social coexistence, the feeling of belonging, and the recognition of the elderly as an essential part of the community.
The presence of CIIR reinforces the institutional commitment to promoting health, inclusion, and well-being, bringing music and art as tools for transformation to the elderly assisted by the institution, which is maintained by the State Government, through the State Secretariat for Social Assistance, Labor, Employment, and Income (Seaster).
Cultural actions promoted by CIIR, such as "Vô com Samba," demonstrate that valuing the elderly offers experiences that rescue memories, create bonds, and reinforce the dignity of those who have contributed their life stories to society. The activities are an invitation to look at the elderly not only as part of a generation that deserves respect but also as active individuals capable of celebrating life in community.
Reference – CIIR is a state reference in medium and high complexity assistance to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) visual, physical, auditory, and intellectual. Access to services is made through referrals from health units, via the Municipal Regulation Center, which directs requests to State Regulation. The user's profile is analyzed by the State Regulation System (SER).
Service: CIIR is an agency of the government of Pará, managed by the National Institute for Social and Human Development (INDSH), in partnership with the State Secretariat of Public Health (Sespa). The unit is located at Rodovia Arthur Bernardes, 1000, Val-de-Cães neighborhood, in Belém. More information: (91) 4042-2157/ 58/ 59.
Text by Tarcísio Barbosa (Ascom CIIR)
