16th anniversary of the opening of Porouchista senior center was celebrated in Bozorg Chami Hall.
On Monday, 16th Bahman 1402 (6th Feb 2024) the Zoroastrian Senior Center (Jahandidegan) hosted Zoroastrian seniors in an event commemorating the anniversary of Porouchista senior center. Shahrokh Bastani, one of the founding members of the Porouchista center, described in his speech, how the Zoroastrian day center was established. He continued by informing that recently, as per the needs of the community, a 24-hour facility has been inaugurated, and named Parvaresh Senior Center. It is one year that this center has obtained the license for operating round-the-clock. The conditions of this center vary from the permanent day-and-night center. This idea and vision guided the establishment of the boarding center: no family should be forced to abandon an elderly member due to their complete dependence; rather, the center strives to prevent such circumstances from occurring. Seniors should be the sole focus of the center’s operations. With this objective in mind, a facility has been established named “The Small Parvaresh center. This compact dwelling serves as the guesthouse for a solitary elderly individual. He may experience malnutrition or difficulties with physical and mental fortitude as a result of his isolation, which hinders his ability to engage in routine activities. Elderly individuals are exclusively susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease and melancholy. This facility welcomes elderly individuals who are self-sufficient and able to attend to their personal affairs. Youth lack the time and capacity to care for the elderly, he continued, and that as a result, we will be confronted with a tsunami of the issue of geriatric care within the next few years. It is incumbent upon government and societal officials to consider the matter of the elderly’s future. Problems are inevitable in the future.
Bahram Yazdani, the present director of Porouchista center, referred to the establishment of the center in 2007 and said that this center has completed its 16th year of operation. He hoped that the center’s endeavors would prove beneficial to society during this time and that the coming years would be even more fruitful and efficient in honoring the wisdom and experience of the elders who represent the nation’s intellectual capital and who transfer their knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation. This is only possible when the elderly are happy and self-esteemed. After extending gratitude and appreciation to Shahrokh Bastani, the Center’s founder, he provided a summary of the events that have been carried out over the past few years. Pointing out that Puruchista Center is rated among the best in the province and one of the exemplary centers in the country, Yazdani gave the following report of the Center’s programs; a weekly program starts with morning exercise under supervision of Ms Bondarian. After serving breakfast, the program continues, for instance, on Saturdays rhythmic movements by coach, Khodarahm Amirani, and Samira Dehghani teaches drawing and painting, and has also arranged an exhibition showcasing the artwork of the elders. For the well-being of the elderly at the center, clinical examinations involving the avian gem are conducted four days per week. These assessments include vital signs such as blood oxygen levels, temperature, and blood pressure, as well as other vital process evaluations. Morning prayers directed by Dowlat Khosravi and Farzaneh Bemani, to invigorate the spirit of the elderly and start a joyful day by reciting the Avesta and Gathas. Gohar Pashutan directs the yoga session. Shahnameh khani class is directed by Golchehr Felfeli. In addition to having psychological counseling, Gita Zandian has also initiated music therapy and poetry classes.
The Alzheimer’s center assistant at the Poruchista center, Manouchehr Bastani, collaborates with the Alzheimer’s center of the province to provide the elderly with the necessary consultations. On Mondays, the center’s physician, Dr. Sahar Mehri, pays patients a visit. These monthly visits are coordinated by Manuchehr Barsami. The occupation therapist visiting the Center is Hamideh Fallahzadeh, and for these sessions Poruchista Center is well equipped to facilitate the rehabilitation process for the elderly. Soheila Pashutani and Farnaz Khosravi are responsible for intellectual and recreational education, respectively. Mahindokht, Parvaneh Atashband, and Parvaneh Mehrshahi comprise the center’s staff.
Manuchehr Barsami was the next speaker; he gave a report of the operational principles of the Center, which emphasizes on creating joy and elevating the spirit of the elderly. He continued by speaking about the empty-nest syndrome, which is characterized by feelings of melancholy and isolation. The parents are abruptly confronted with an aimless and unplanned daily existence following their children’s departure from the house to pursue life objectives such as marriage, higher education, or immigration. Departing parents’ residence frequently results in the symptoms of empty-nest syndrome, which usually goes unnoticed. The consequences of the child departing from the “nest” include alterations in the parents’ lives, which may induce melancholy and a sense of meaninglessness. Bastani urged the elderly to increase their involvement in the Poruchista Centre as a means to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and melancholy, as well as to enhance their mental and physical capabilities through social interaction. Part of his address was devoted to a study that proves that rhythmic movements for 9 minutes every day strengthens the feel-good dopamine hormone. Similar to how Zoroastrianism prescribes happiness and celebration, the purpose of life and labor is to achieve happiness.
The program started with Gatha recitation by Farzaneh Bemani and Dowlat Khosravi. Arabone (tambourine) played by Hooshmand Yazdani and a song sung by Khodayar Kianzad was the musical part of the program. Late Shahzadi was referenced in one segment of the program. Delbar Ostovari and other former colleagues who had worked together were honored for their years of collaboration, with wishes for their well-being. A reception was given on conclusion of the program, for the participants, who were mainly over the age of 60.
