Happy, surrounded by societies and seniors who spend their free time actively - living in this way can be much easier than it seems at first glance. Led by this idea, the Senior Program of the National Institute for Social Integration is launching a new “Decorate Your Age” campaign to send a message to seniors that they not only deserve a positive old age, but can also experience it.
Old age can be colored
"Decorate Your Age" is the new campaign for seniors launched by the Senior Program of the National Institute for Social Integration. The campaign will aim to educate the public about social services for seniors and dispel old myths on the subject.
"There are many myths we want to dispel. The most common - that assistance is provided only when one cannot take care of oneself at all, that such services are expensive, deprives the elderly of their independence, they can be used only by lonely people, and also an important aspect - it is a shame to ask for help. Therefore, we feel the need to educate people that social services can cover a much wider range, from domestic help to leisure activities together. It is also important to share the message that such services for seniors are financed by municipalities, ”says Rugilė Bitautaitė, Senior Program Manager.
The image created by gray and lonely old age in Lithuania is no stranger. In addition, according to the head of the "Senior" program, he is so greedy that in many cases seniors and their relatives do not even know about the social assistance financed by municipalities and its possibilities.
"There is an impression in society that old age is gray, and seniors are increasingly distancing themselves from social life. Meanwhile, we say: old age may not be gray but colored. As a result, during the campaign, we are drawing a new image of old age - happy seniors who go to cultural events, live healthy lives, laugh and are always surrounded by society, ”says R. Bitautaitė.
The faces of the campaign are happy seniors
Not only the senior program team of the National Institute for Social Integration, but also the seniors under their supervision took part in the creative process of the Decorate Your Age campaign.
"Francis, Valeria, Alfons, Genovaitė - we are extremely grateful to these four seniors who have agreed to become the faces of our campaign. From now on, their photos will adorn the streets of Lithuanian cities, as well as in the press and on social networks. We hope that their sincere and unplayed smiles and witty illustrations will draw the attention of both seniors and people who know who may need help right now. We want people to see these photos not as sad, tired or lonely, but as seniors, full of energy and love for life, ”says R. Bitautaitė.
The head of the Senior Program reminds that persons or families caring for elderly relatives at home can turn to the municipality or eldership for help with social services for their relatives or themselves.