This activity, organized entirely by the third and fourth year students of the degree, was attended by 90 older adults from the commune of La Serena.

In the premises of the Santa Inés Cultural Center, the XVI Conference for the Elderly was held with great success, which this year was titled “Adding joys and dreams to my life.”

This activity, organized entirely by the third and fourth year students of the ULS Nursing program, within the context of an elective subject of their undergraduate training, was attended by 90 older adults from the commune of La Serena, who received training in the field of healthy aging, as a way to promote it and provide them with tools to live this stage of life more fully and happily.

On this occasion, the presence of local authorities, Seremi of Government, delegate of the DIDECO of the Municipality of La Serena and the person in charge of the Office of the Elderly of the aforementioned municipality was present.

The teacher in charge of the subject, Mg. Carmen Retamal, highlighted the collaboration of the Office of the Elderly, this being the XNUMXth opportunity that these training sessions are held, it is the first time it has been held in the city of La Serena. She also highlighted the great organizational capacity of her students and stressed that “in this way they learn significantly and for life, experiences that they will never forget.”

The large turnout of adults who were grateful and motivated to be able to train was what impressed the students the most. This is how the student Fernanda Vargas, general coordinator of the Conference, stated: “for me the most important thing was to see how they asked us questions and were interested in us sending them information also digitally.”

This Conference is prepared throughout the semester, for two hours a week and, on this occasion, they were also carried out in facilities of the Municipality of Coquimbo (Casa del Adulto Mayor, Centro Cultural Palace and Casa de la Cultura). All this prior learning allows them to come to these sessions to present relevant topics such as physiological changes, social aspects, sexuality, cognitive stimulation, multistimulation, spirituality, physical activity and sociocultural animation, in an empowered way in the professional role of promoting healthy aging and active at the same time.

The day also included the delivery of certification for attendance and sharing an excellent break, all prepared by the students.

For the collaborating professor, Lic. Diego Valenzuela, this was a teaching and connection activity with the environment that “allows us to bring students closer to older adults who are increasingly energetic and eager to learn new things and preserve their autonomy. We believe that as the University of La Serena we have fulfilled our commitment to get closer to the community through the learning of our students and the simultaneous service they provide to people.”

Finally, Professor Retamal highlighted that this is an excellent way to learn and become aware of the gerontological issue, since intergenerational interaction provides tools to older adults, “but our students also receive the wisdom of those who have already lived and that today they only want to transmit to the younger generations.”