After a while I finally began the process of waiting to hear back from organizations that I inquired with to see if I can get a tour or be a volunteer. I am currently amazed with all the large buildings they have in the city and how nursing homes exist within them. These buildings are 10 stories tall and are very different from what I encountered in Ecuador and Peru.  

One of my nursing homes told me to contact Dr. Diego and I came across this video. He is having us think about reimagining this new longevity we are in. 

August Month: 

Over the last few weeks I have been touring and talking to various nursing home facilities. I am currently working with Hogar Casa Mater. After a while, I networked with some organizations here related to gerontology and they recommended these two government organizations Buenos Aires BieneStar and Cuidadas Amigables which is under the Ministry of Health. 

These are some site visits I did: 

1. Hogar Santa Teresa Jornet  (Day Visit) – Costs 85,000 Argentina Pesos per month which translates to ~$250-300 USD. 
   1. A faith-based group that supports older adults. 
   2. They had a store for residents to make purchases 
   3. I saw an auditorium for shows and visits. 
2. Residencia Geriatrica Mediger (Day Visit)
   1. The people here were eager for my visit but they were unfortunately not allowing volunteers. Nonetheless, they chatted with me and gave me a brief tour. The director was extremely helpful and kind with the information they told me. 
3. Casa Mater (Volunteer)
   1. This facility originally told me that I could not volunteer with them, but they eventually allowed me to be a volunteer twice a week. While being here I was able to understand how we can reimagine limited space into something more meaningful and engaging for older adults. They had a library in their facility and I was very impressed by this as I saw many older adults reading lengthy books. I had the opportunity to facilitate my TimeSlips Facilitator certification here. I did a weekly creative activity around storytelling and music with physical exercise. I appreciated this facility as the residents told me ways that carestaff could improve by asking to enter spaces before entering. They reminded me how we must give the residents the autonomy, especially those who are well. I also enjoyed how many older adults wanted to improve certain activities and always provided feedback. 

September: 

September marks World Alzheimer’s Month! I had the opportunity to network with people virtually and here in Argentina. A.L.M.A, a group here in Argentina, has been holding various events that I have attended which have been incredible. I attended an event at one of the fanciest and expensive LTCFs I’ve come across. 

WeCare – This was one nursing home that has been fully reimagined what it means to be a nursing homes. The creators wanted to reimagine the space to look more like a home/hotel like style. This is one of the more expensive nursing homes charing 998,000 Argentina pesos. 

Hogar San Marin – Hermanitas De Los Pobres (The Little Sisters of the Poor Home San Marin) – San Isirdro 

A brief video summarizing the home and how the facility helps older adults. This facility has a deinstitutionalized model. 

Government Care Homes

I am scheduled to visit the nursing homes that are provided by the Argentina government. I spoke with Dr. Jose Drusetich who is the director of senior living of long-term stays in Argentina. The government has four locations that are 100% free for older adults who qualify. I will be spending the next couple of weeks visiting these spaces and learning from the model of care they have. 

1. Hogar Rawson (Sept. 16)
   1. An incredible facility where a hospital is within the same quarters, a day center for both older adults and children, and the nursing home. I was in awe to witness how much potential this space has and how the government developed such a space. I was also very grateful for the older people I met during my visit as they welcomed me as a family member and were very excited. 
2. Hogar San Martin (Sept. 29)
   1. I met the director Gustavo Ciappa Pombo and it was a true honor. It was inspiring hearing his story and then hearing him tell me more about the nursing home they have. This is the only place I have seen thus far that has a dentistry creating dentures for older adults. Additionally, it is also the second place to have a day-care center for kids for the employees of individuals who work at the nursing home.  

I am grateful for the Argentinian government and the support they have provided me. I had the opportunity to join what I believe might be the first government within Latin America and the Caribbean to talk about sexual health for older adults. They invited me for a week-long event on gerontological sexual health.  Additionally, I was given the opportunity to assess and visit nursing homes that are completely free for residents who qualify. I appreciated how the sub-director asked for my feedback at the completion of my visits for them to have an outsider’s perspective. I completed my Recommendation Report on improvements that can be made and based my criteria off of conversations I had with older adults, staff members, and previous visits I made in other countries. 

October – Interviews / Group Interviews 

During the month of October I celebrated my 23 birthday along with wrapped up my work schedule in Argentina. I had my last minute visits with people in the government and conversations with older people. It was great to converse with older adults and hear about what they think could best support them in living a more engaged life with soicety and beyond. 

Hogar San Ramon 

• I went up to Iguazua Falls and decided to go to this 

AMIA Visit

I had the opportunity to visit this day center after inquiring with the people in charge. I am thankful for Sebastian Friedman for his tour of the facility and allowing me to participate in all the activities that the seniors were doing. The website states “The AMIA Comprehensive Center for the Elderly offers a comprehensive socio-recreational proposal for people over 60 years of age with the ability to fend for themselves. The proposal includes a grid of 40 regular workshops and special activities in the areas of movement, stimulation, music, art, technology, expression, reflection, among others. The Center opens its doors from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., receiving more than 300 people per week.” I truly believe that these day centers are crucial in sustaining and living a healthy life. 

This video deeply touched me. The person leading the group named was Silia and she is an incredible leader to foster these activities. I was amazed to see everyone hold hands and come together.  

Main Takeaways:

• Governments have to have a specific area dedicated to older peoples well-being. Argentina has the CuidadAmigables “Friendly Cities” and Bienestar “Wellbeing” that are both programming events weekly for older adults. 
  • Other countries might consider doing something similar to help build inclusion to society and make events known for all instead of a select few. 
• Reimaging parks/greenways with activities that bring in community members such as older adults. 
• Provide educational resources for older adults such as sexual health, mental health, digital inclusion, etc. 
• Fostering collaboration amongst NGO’s and community based organizations 
• Building internal research groups for LTC in order to improve care outcomes.
• Using digital technology in order to improve QoL. Dr. Aranda mentioned to me how one patient wanted to visit their home again before passing and they were able to do this by providing a virtual platform.  
• Nursing homes should have dentistry offices to ensure older people get their dental work done in a timely manner. Again we have to think about what a real society has and how we can create this. 
• Nursing homes should create their own research/accountability group as this will pay off in the long run. 

I am eternally grateful for many individuals in this country and to the Argentina government for allowing me to participate in several events and offering me the time and space to ask questions and learn more from them. They are committed in improving the lives of all older people. 

My LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/luis-cordero-8185b9194_fui-seleccionado-como-becario-en-thomas-j-activity-6985349857863479296-aGum?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop