Barcelona neighbors form support group for aging together
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In Barcelona, Spain, a group of people in the Poble Nou neighborhood created a mutual aid group to support each other through the challenges of aging.
Several members shared their hopes and concerns about growing older, emphasizing the importance of community and purpose. Anna Freixas, an 80-year-old retired university professor and gerontologist, noted that facing the loss of loved ones is easier when surrounded by others and that remaining engaged with life gives meaning to one's later years.
Mari Pla, a former community nurse, initiated the group after realizing the need for seniors to maintain connections after retirement. She and others prioritize learning and staying active, seeking activities that stimulate the mind rather than simply entertain. They aim to provide companionship and assistance, ensuring no member faces difficulties alone. Members like Merche Delgado, a 66-year-old retiree, value intergenerational connections and worry about pain or harm coming to their children.
Josep María Gordillo, a 73-year-old retired teacher, advocates for dignified aging, lamenting the societal stigmas faced by older people. Lourdes Casanovas, 74, expressed a desire to maintain her commitments and help others, even as she anticipates potential limitations and fears losing her mental faculties. According to the INE, Spain’s population of people over 65 will peak in 2076, representing 30.9% of the total population.
