Red Cross's Strategy for Garnering Senior Participation During Summer Months
Cruz Roja Almería, a local branch of the Spanish Red Cross, has introduced an innovative summer program aimed at combating unwanted loneliness among elderly individuals who may feel isolated during the summer months when many social services reduce their activities or close.
Named **"Cruz Roja, a remojo contra la soledad no deseada"** (Cruz Roja: making a splash to combat unwanted loneliness), the program offers weekly trips to an adapted bathing area at El Palmeral beach in Almería, a fully accessible space for people with mobility issues.
The initiative provides a much-needed respite for elderly participants, offering physical activity, social interaction, and companionship. By bringing elderly participants out of their homes to a welcoming, accessible natural environment, the program effectively tackles isolation. It provides opportunities for socialization and active engagement, and offers consistent, scheduled support during a period when other programs may pause.
The program's success is evident in the responses of the elderly participants. Many have expressed their joy at returning to the sea after feeling a lack of company, insecurity, or falling out of the habit. The weekly meetings of the program foster connections among participants and volunteers, building a sense of community.
Ángela Rodríguez Bogas, head of the Department for Older People at Cruz Roja in Almeria, stated that the initiative has acted as a catalyst for these participants. She noted that the program aligns with Cruz Roja Almeria's strategic aim to support independent living in later life and may soon serve as a model for other provinces.
The concept of the program is simple, affordable, and replicable. By focusing on accessibility and social inclusion, this beach outing program presents a replicable model for other communities wanting to reduce elderly loneliness during summer. Its emphasis on mobility-friendly locations and organized group activities can be adapted to various coastal or accessible recreational sites, helping similar populations combat isolation through community engagement.
For many participants, this is a unique opportunity, as some had not been to the beach for years despite living nearby. The chosen beach for the program is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations.
In summary, Cruz Roja Almería’s summer beach outings are a practical, inclusive, and scalable approach to mitigating unwanted loneliness among older adults, especially in the challenging summer season. The program offers a structured social environment that helps reduce isolation among older people, promoting the active participation of older individuals within the community during the summer period.
The immersive beach outings by Cruz Roja Almería, aimed at combating unwanted loneliness, extend beyond physical activity and exposure to nature. They also foster health-and-wellness, as the social interactions and community engagement help manage the emotional challenges that come with aging. Moreover, inspired by the success of this program, science can play a role in examining its effects on elderly individuals' mental health and overall well-being, ensuring its potential as a model for future health-and-wellness initiatives.
