Mit diesem Zentrum altern sie gesund und bleiben vor Alzheimer und Demenz geschützt.

Die Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Healthy Aging and Alzheimer-Dementia Patients Meeting and Solidarity Center opens the doors to a whole new life for individuals over 55 years old. By participating in various activities in the center’s 14 different courses, citizens who are protected from Alzheimer’s and dementia not only acquire hobbies but also rejuvenate themselves.

People over 55 in Izmir rejuvenate themselves with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Healthy Aging and Alzheimer-Dementia Patients Meeting and Solidarity Center. The center, with its 14 different courses, enables citizens to age healthily and also acts as a shield against the diseases of the era, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who come to the center also do brain exercises through various activities. Members participating in courses in various fields such as painting, tile work, sports, chess, drama, thanks to the center, express that they feel like they are 18 years old.

“We provide full capacity service”
The person in charge of the center, Tülay Hepoğlu, who hosts different activities every day, said, “We have 14 courses in our center, such as sports, tile work, chess, handicrafts, drama, waltz, painting, and English. We organize various activities here to reverse Alzheimer’s and dementia. We organize brain-strengthening courses. Currently, we serve at full capacity with 1150 members and 5 Alzheimer-dementia patients. We do not reject those who want to register with our center, but we take their contact numbers. When our members do not come, we reach out to them.”

“I am 18 years old!”
Retired literature teacher Aysel Şener said she joined the drama department of the center. Şener, who stated that she feels like she is 18 years old, said, “I have been coming here for 3 years. I had done theater when I was a student. I do these activities with love and willingness. One becomes more social and at peace with oneself. This place is a very happy place for people. Aging healthily is very important. You can say ‘You are 78-80 years old’ to me, but I am 18 when I read poetry. People do not feel their age or the bad situation they are in. You forget everything. The older the people who come here, the younger they feel.”

“I congratulate myself”
Sabiha Temizkalp, a 78-year-old housewife who participated in the drama course, said that she gained her personality at the Healthy Aging Alzheimer Dementia Center, stating, “I used to be introverted. This place relaxed me. I participate in courses in every branch. I congratulate myself for doing these things at this age. I am surprised at myself but I really like it.”

“Since I have reached these ages, it means that this place is good for me”
Kayhan Koçgir, a retired pilot at the age of 93, who is the oldest member of the center, said, “I have been coming here since 2008. Since I have reached these ages, it means that this place is good for me. I participate in painting courses and choir studies at the center. A friend of mine passed away due to dementia. I know the effects of this disease and I believe that being here is beneficial for this disease. Everyone should have one or more hobbies so that life is colorful.”

“We are rejuvenating here”
Methiye Damar, a 71-year-old housewife who develops herself in the field of painting, is among the members who improve themselves. Damar, who has been coming to the center for about 9 years, said, “I do tile work and painting. We socialize, have a great time with our friends. I come here feeling unwell at home, and when I enter the class, my energy rises. We age healthily here. We raised our children, discovered our talents here. Sitting at home and listening to oneself causes one to dwell on things, but here everything is forgotten. This center and our teachers contribute a lot to us. We are rejuvenating here.”

“It turns out I have manual skills”
Kezban Onuker, a 65-year-old retired chemistry teacher who attends the tile course, also said that such activities are very important for protection from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Onuker said, “I have been coming here for a year. I didn’t know I had manual skills, but it turns out I do. Doing new activities is something that makes a person happy and contributes to healthy aging. We don’t know how time passes here. We do wonderful work.”

Transportation is provided by vehicle
There are 14 different courses in the center, including sports, tile work, glass painting, transfer printing, English, mind and intelligence games, rhythm, modern dance, drama, handicrafts, Turkish Folk Music and Turkish Art Music Choirs, painting, and jewelry making. In addition, the center provides its members with health, physical activity, and nutrition, as well as first aid training. Daily programs such as attention measurement and sports activities, physical activities, psychomotor activities, model making, and wood painting are organized for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In addition to 5 Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, 1150 center members receive education from instructors at the Public Education Center, private tutors, volunteer teachers, and university students. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are picked up from their homes by a vehicle departing from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Eşrefpaşa Hospital and taken to the center, and at the end of the day, they are taken back home by the same vehicle. Furthermore, psychological support practices are carried out for family members who care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.