Now, how did that video make you feel? If you do not speak Spanish, you can turn on auto-translate to your familiar language. When I saw this video, I was deeply moved. Were you?
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Organization Website:https://granedad.com and https://ifeelelmetodo.es
Conference Presentation Reflection
I attended the IV National Congress of Dependency and Health by Alimarket. One of the sessions was on models of care. I heard three different models of care, but the one that caught my attention was by Carol Mitjana, CEO of I FEEL Metodo. Her method sparked something inside me. I am forever grateful for reaching out and seeing the care home in person.
She mentioned during her presentation how older persons “elect us to care for them” and how we must value how they “pick” us to help them age. We are responsible for “learning about their story” and helping support that continual story. This moved me profoundly as I grew up with my grandmother, and I always asked her questions about her life. I wanted to know what she enjoyed doing in life. We all strive to provide person-centered care yet fail at times to really listen to the person, as many care homes try to put more responsibilities on care workers. It is clear that the personnel in care homes have high turnover rates, but in some care homes, they’ve managed to ensure this occurs less.
Carol mentioned how it is crucial to have several different models of care. One size does not fit all and we need to have a diverse method of options for people to elect. Nonetheless, they all must strive for the common goal to uphold one’s dignity and provide kindness, compassion, and respect to the individual.
The video above deeply touched me as every older adult has a story and at times their human rights are changed when they enter a care home. Traveling to eight countries so far and speaking to older adults have told me how they have to follow certain rules or would not want to be in a care home due to limitations on their liberty. Therefore, how are we ensuring we are not limiting them but instead supporting them on their journey of aging? Another unique thing about Carol’s facility is their usage of terminology. They are deinstitutionalizing the care they provide but also talk about how aging is grand. They use words that empower what it means to age and get older in order to combat the ageism that exists. They firmly believe it is one’s attitude, not age.
“We are the new captains of a boat that is in continual motion under the Grand Age.”
Carol (HIP Conference, 2023)
The quote sent shivers to me as it reminds everyone we are doing the work but is challenging us to reassess our values and the current work. Carol is pushing us to think outside the box and ensure we provide a more dignified and person-centered model of care directed by the resident and how to train our team better and empower them. People are getting older and older, and if we do not have enough nursing homes, what other options can we take? How can we promote better health literacy and preventive work?
I FEEL Centre Geriàtric Lleida – Visit Reflection
I took the bus to come to the care home, which was very easy as it dropped me right in front of the facility, just like when I went to Village Landais in France. When I entered the facility, I saw how natural light filled the space. The building originally belonged to the covenant Sisters of the Poor and was later sold to the current owners. I was in the office area waiting and came across a small playground for children. The rationale behind this was to invite families and create more home-like environments. As I was waiting, I saw some older adults roaming freely and talking.
Then, I met Alba, who is the psychologist of the facility, and directed my tour. To start, I was impressed by the terminology she used as she referred to older persons as Grand Age. It is clear that the terminology used makes you feel proud to be old. We walked around the facility and started in the “Co-Working” space they’ve developed in order to bring the community into this space.
The co-working space they have developed is my favorite part. They are trying to normalize the idea of inviting the community into the space. Their hope is for more university students to come in and in a way develop further their volunteer programming. Yes, it is a care facility but more so than that, it is a facility that is supporting community initiatives, etc. This space is for universities to help do activities and help. Again, normalizing certain spaces. One thing that deeply touched me was this program they are developing where students are able to be mentored by older adults. In a way, it reminded me of the student club allied “Adopt-A-GrandFriend” at Davidson. This is the first space that I see has normalized the exterior to enter the interior. How are we able to again start normalizing care homes and educating our community? When I was at the Conference in Madrid, I asked an architect about creating a space for the community, and they mentioned how having such spaces at times is not permitted or does not make financial sense. The response intrigued me as in the long run having such a space can create long-lasting impact to the community and overall well being of future older adults.
When we entered the first room where the Day Center operates, I was intrigued by the activity they were doing. The coordinator was being creative in the work as it was not your typical bingo or physical activity. In a way, it was like a relay race and the older adults were participating and engaged. They have certain programmed activities Monday-Friday, but each living area has certain stations where older adults are able to decide what they want to do. They are not just doing activities that someone is programming without the input of the seniors. I was moved by the idea of how they have certain activities programmed but it is also very flexible. Again, how are we breaking down the institutional mindset that older adults have to do certain activities? We need to make sure we are providing meaningful activities. What I enjoyed was that I saw someone painting and it was very beautiful artwork these older adults do and some have never painted before. They are able to pain freely or do other activities as they wish.
This care home made itself very distinct from the others I visited by the setup of the rooms. You can see the video below for the room setup. The care home respects the privacy and rights of these individuals and therefore, created spaces where they are L shaped in order to provide a bit more privacy in double rooms. It is not your typical bed by bed set up. I recall Alba knocking the door and asking if we could enter and how they had photos on the wall. Each breed when shared had its own little section for a bit more privacy and balcony. Again, bringing the outdoors in the inside ensures older adults are able to have that interaction and feel the air. Some rooms had plants that the seniors brought in as they enjoy gardening.
Another moment that amazed me and is the second noticeable difference is how they’ve transformed the internal space to smaller units to ensure more person-centered care. I was deeply touched by this wall of photos of all the residents they had of families in one area in order to share their stories and this one woman who was 101 years old! I was impressed to see residents personal photos in a shared space as many care homes tend to keep these items in the residents rooms, but they’ve allowed for residents to imagine the living room into a shared family space amongst residents to build more community amongst themselves.
They have a hair salon and I loved seeing how this woman was getting her hair done and the time and care spent to provide the service. It was truly a touching moment. I was also amazed by this woman who has dementia and no longer is able to talk, but smiled when she had her make up and curled her lips for the lipstick. Again, how are we ensuring we are dedicating time and attention to our older adults. Maybe the makeup will come off in a few hours, but for those few hours she felt like herself again, she was given what she wanted.
When we entered another kitchen, I saw a woman helping create bread for later. During the pandemic I would bake banana bread with my grandma and I would always have her batter the flour with bananas. This is what aging with dignity looks like. Where older adults are able to decide what to do and how to do it. Some residents in fact have certain items in the fridge that they use for themselves to make something.
They have a developing project that I am excited to see in the future for people living with dementia. More details to come.
They also had a chapel that used to be open to the community prior to the pandemic and this deeply touched me as there is potential to educate the community on aging. Again, this facility is unique for the multiple parts in which the community was involved and adds to the overall well being of the residents and community.
They also have spaces that invites the family into the space such as a small playground for the grandchildren or a trampoline! It was funny because some of the residents actually use the trampoline! In Brazil, I saw some homes creating spaces for families to come visit their family members but also promote their wellbeing by creating spaces for them.
They help empower older adults and I saw for the first time multiple couples living together here. In a way, it felt so empowering seeing how not only is this facility supporting both of them but guiding them both.
They are hoping to apply their model in two other care facilities, and I look forward to what else occurs in the future. Although this model has not been scientifically tested, from preliminary qualitative data it improves the quality of life of these older persons. They themselves have said how they really enjoy being here and I cannot forget how they also refer to one another and are willing to help.
They use Instagram and Tik Tok to bring more visibility. Again, they show things I saw in Argentina and center care homes in Brazil. By using social media, people can become more aware of normalizing care homes.
This group of individuals is paving the path to transforming the sector of long-term care in Spain. I look forward to the next opportunity to continue to learn from them. In the end, I am deeply inspired and in awe by the work they are doing as I know when I asked many directors and researchers across the board can we do something different they always go back to the same answer – finances. I know at times when I’ve made suggestions although structural it was never to demolish a building but reimagining the indoor spaces. We need to at times renovate internal spaces which has been done in this care home.
Care homes need to educate the team and empower them. How do we ensure they feel empowered and understand the shared message/values? We need to keep promoting their well-being and recognize the work they do. The care team is a crucial part of the formula, and we must be able to support them in this network of work and extended family structure.
I look forward to the next time we meet again!
VIVE GRAN EDAD! Es un privilegio tener una vida larga y el respeto que merecen. Gracias por la pasión y respeto que vosotras y vosotros demostráis en su trabajo y compartir su modelo de cuidado IFEEL!
Otros Revistas En Español, Gracias Stephan Biel: https://bielconsulting.eu/2022/08/19/i-feel-el-metodo-la-revolucion-de-la-gran-edad-por-carol-mitjana/
Spanish Reflection by Josep, Director of InfoResidencias! Thank you Josep for the incredible work you do in Spain.
VIVE GRANDE!!!
