Mitra, a virtual and face-to-face club for senior friends

Mitra was born in 2017 like a dream, in the city of Quito, seeing that there was a lack of social spaces for the elderly, beyond the geriatric centers.

The idea of ​​giving them protagonism and autonomy Through the formation of friendships, he led María José Ollague to name his club Mitra, the word that in Sanskrit means’friend’.

However, as a result of the pandemic, the facilities had to be closed, and the club entered the realm of the virtual, without knowing if it would survive. But Mitra grew up. “We were afraid that older people would feel rejection of technology”, admits Ollague, “however, it was the opposite, We opened a door and we were able to reach other countries and open other times. We have partners in Spain, Canada, Mexico, Chile and multiple cities in Ecuador ”.

More than 100 people have gone through this program; many remain, hooked on adapted activities such as chair yoga and zumba gold.

“Zumba is very strong, but the gold mode gives the same benefits in cardio and coordination, with effects on oxygenation of the brain and immediate memory, concentration and attention, plus muscle toning, with less impact on the joints ”.

The Chair yoga, on the other hand, is focused on improving balance and lung capacity, physical strength and flexibility, as well as postural health, the importance of consciously staying upright.

Another option is the corporal expression, that the students take with a professional dancer. Cognitive stimulation is also important, Ollague says, as many of these areas are affected during aging. For this, the club has incorporated Mitra por el Mundo, which takes people on a virtual trip to a different country each week. “They connect with trips they have made or with their dreams.” In the creative area, Mitra’s partners they work with the plastic artist Juan Carlos Endara.

“I have always had a special attachment to older people. I did not see spaces in which they could share. People who have given so much, but are at home feeling sad because they have stopped working ”. Ollague left marketing and started studying therapeutic and restorative yoga, and gerontology. “I dedicated myself fully to offering this service and giving happiness so that people continue to feel useful in this special stage of their lives.”

Loneliness is another devastating aspect for physical and mental health. Ollague compares it to smoking. “When the adult does not go out, he is not active, he does not pump the oxygen that the brain needs, and memory problems begin. If we do not do mental exercise after the age of 30 (not only at 60), it will lead to cognitive damage, depression and accelerated processes of dementia ”.

Mitra handles the person-centered care model. Instead of the person arriving being forced to adapt to the new space, it adapts to the needs of each person. Its goals are autonomy and independence. One of the principles is not to infantilize the elderly and know their tastes. Group life is important, but individuality is the foundation. In this, a psychology team with experience in cognitive and neurological stimulation is important.

“We take the time to talk with each one. Their way of seeing life changes, and so does the way they relate. Improves physical balance, and that gives them security to go out again. TEverything is a circle ”, explains Ollague,“ if I am afraid because I fell sometime, and I stop moving, the physical part is affected more ”, and this reduction in mobility affects the emotional and the mental.

There are schedules in the morning and in the afternoon, one hour a day, in virtual mode, but also face-to-face (in Quito and Cumbayá, with Guayaquil in focus). “When all those who wanted to be vaccinated did so, we opened our retrofitted house and all the biosecurity measures, on August 30 last. We are also being reborn, really ”. With a mask, but finally together.

What to do with free time in the elderly?

The Cuenca América Montesinos Delgado is 69 years old and has lived in Manta for 49 years. From there he joins the virtual sessions of the Mitra Club. “In this time of COVID-19 we had a great lethargy, not knowing what we could do. I saw an ad and called. I liked the idea of ​​having something to occupy my time. It was an immediate change, because in the midst of the depression I had, I began to be aware of other things, but not of the disease.

America highlights the company of people her own age. “Despite having family, we are alone, because they work and have their jobs. Although they take care of us, they cannot give us the time that we have free ”.

Comment that your cardiologist has recommended that you do not stop these activities, as this keeps the pressure in good condition. Her favorite classes are yoga and art. “It is very nice to have partners online, even though we are not together. It’s like being in a classroom, they ask us questions and we have to answer in order, but sometimes we misbehave and we all answer at once; one or two get upset, the rest of us laugh ”, admits América, who he especially values ​​the minutes before and after class, when they can share their news, worries and pains with everyone.

Since she does not carry out other activities in her city apart from the club, America, a retired administrative secretary, thinks that this was her salvation. “My husband and I live alone. He lives with the news, they are his distraction. Things that I don’t like so much. But now he comes closer to making comments when he sees me painting. This may be the best decision I have made at this stage in my life. “