Second-year social gerontology students at Alma Mater Europaea University, as part of the course Organization of Leisure Activities for Older Adults, are once again actively transferring theoretical knowledge into practice this year and, through field exercises, co-creating quality content for older people.
In the recent period, they carried out several diverse activities. At Alma Mater Europaea, they hosted members of the School of Health Association, who presented the importance of regular physical activity and demonstrated their morning stretching exercises. The students further enriched the meeting with a creative embroidery workshop, which provided a space for relaxed socializing, conversation, and the exchange of experiences.
They continued the field exercises at the Home under Gorca, where they prepared a memory-strengthening workshop for residents, also intended for people with dementia, as well as a creative workshop on making floral arrangements. The activities encouraged participation, creativity, and contributed to a pleasant and inclusive atmosphere.
A visit to the Šmarje pri Jelšah Library offered the students insight into an example of good practice in the active inclusion of older people in the local environment. They learned about the operation of the University for the Third Age, which, through numerous study groups, promotes lifelong learning, creativity, and social inclusion.
“Such experiences highlight the importance of intergenerational connection, cooperation, and the transfer of knowledge, and confirm the key role of practical training in shaping professionally qualified and socially responsible staff,” emphasizes Assist. Prof. Dr. Mihaela Kežman.
