The Elderly and the Young Hand in Hand: 3rd Week Completed in Sensory-Social Interaction Workshops

The third week of activities within the scope of the "Sensory-Social Interaction Workshops" organized in collaboration with Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) and Burdur Hilmi Hafize Evin Nursing Home Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center has been completed. These events, held every week, have become a day eagerly awaited by the nursing home residents, while also allowing young volunteers to contribute to social solidarity.

Elderly and Young People Happy Together

The attention and focus exercises conducted within the workshops bring smiles to the faces of both the nursing home residents and the young life volunteers. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin emphasized that such volunteer activities are very valuable not only for the elderly but also for the young. Şahin said, “These workshops allow young people to develop their sense of empathy and gain a sense of social responsibility. Thus, the foundations of a more empathetic and supportive society are laid.”

Şahin stated that it is pleasing for Social Work Department students to take an active role in volunteer projects and expressed that the experiences gained in the practice environment greatly contribute to the professional development of the students.

Cultural and Artistic Activities Attract Interest

In the events held every Thursday at the nursing home, many different activities such as art workshops, music recitals, memory games, and handicrafts are included. Volunteer students play an active role in organizing these events and ensuring the participation of elderly individuals.

These events, where young and elderly people come together, help establish strong bonds between different generations. At the same time, they reduce the feeling of loneliness and isolation among the nursing home residents, boosting their morale.

A volunteer student participating in the events expressed their feelings by saying, “Spending time with our elderly allows us to benefit from their life experiences. Such projects not only strengthen social solidarity but also provide an unforgettable experience for us young people.”

The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin, Lecturer and Director of the Center for Aging Studies and Research (YAŞAM) at MAKÜ Social Work Department, Happiness Research Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökmen Arslan, and Lecturer Gülnihal Altun from Gölhisar Vocational School of Health Care Services.