In the capital, a unique space for older citizens "Senjorų avilys" (Kubiliaus str. 2) will open its doors - the operator VšĮ "Sveikatos metai", which won the municipal tender, will bring together seniors for interesting free time and respite. Today, the premises are handed over for the start of operations, the new operator plans to start operating in the seniors' hub in the coming months.
"Our goal is to establish a unique employment space in Vilnius for older Vilnius residents to meet, be active, and create in order to stay healthy and busy as long as possible. We were looking for more original leisure ideas and to have them all conveniently gathered in one place. This district and building were not chosen by chance - Žirmūnas ir Antakalnis - one of the most popular districts of Vilnius for seniors, so the service is brought closer to home. Such a model is popular in EU countries", says the mayor of Vilnius Remigius Šimašius.
In the hive, it will be possible to do sports, learn languages, computer literacy, entrepreneurship, arts, join clubs, participate in brainstorming, play board games, socialize in a cafe, etc. Various NGOs will be able to offer their initiatives and programs to seniors in the spacious premises of the first floor of the building - 1300 square meters. m.
"We are an active part of society, we like to walk around the city, attend various activities, get to know the city's architecture, and go to meetings with developers. I am glad that such a spacious place will appear, where we will have many different activities, it will be a convenient place for meetings, because communication is very important for seniors", says Emilija Ivaškevič from Vilnius.
The building of the former "Darbo birža" (Kubiliaus st. 2) was leased to a public institution for 10 years on preferential terms. The premises will be offered free of charge to the non-governmental organizations settling here, but they themselves will be able to actively participate in various projects and programs.
"It is quite a challenge to bring together organizations and seniors under one roof, but we are very happy with this opportunity and mission, and we already have people who want to come and work here." The location is convenient because there are many active seniors living around. We are very open and invite various organizations and initiatives to join our activities right now", invited Edita Vaškevičienė, director of VšĮ Sveikatos metai.
A year later, short-term social care (day center) services will start operating on the second floor of the building, where seniors will be able to receive complex assistance requiring constant specialist care. Such "respite" services are needed not only in cases of crisis, often family members, guardians, carers need such services temporarily (for a few days or a working week) for certain reasons (sickness, business trip, vacation, family or work obligations, etc.). It will be possible to stay here for up to 6 months, and up to 100 seniors will be able to live temporarily at the same time. The operator plans that the day center located on the second floor will help sustain the free activities and services organized on the first floor, and seniors who come for short-term services will always be able to go down to the first floor and join the activities they liked.
According to Ilma Skuodiene, the Chief Advisor of the Municipal Administration, the Vilnius Seniors' Hive will be a unique space where seniors, non-governmental organizations and a wide range of service providers will meet. All this will help seniors stay busy, healthy and needed for as long as possible, for example, exercise in the morning, a snack in the afternoon, computer literacy courses in the afternoon, followed by a support group "How to Face Old Age with Dignity".
"Sveikatos mátis" Public Company has the necessary experience - it has been providing services to elderly people, etc. for the fifth year. social care services, has a functioning rehabilitation and nursing center in Vilnius district.
