{"id":27817,"date":"2016-08-01T12:08:44","date_gmt":"2016-08-01T10:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/?p=27817"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:50:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T12:50:06","slug":"in-spain-play-areas-for-seniors-are-all-the-rage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/in-spain-play-areas-for-seniors-are-all-the-rage\/","title":{"rendered":"In Spain, play areas for seniors are all the rage"},"content":{"rendered":"

New play areas for seniors are sprouting left and right in Spain. Their aim : foster intergenerational bonding and get the elderly out of their house and moving.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The twin problems of isolation and mobility loss<\/h2>\n

\"LonelinessMost Western societies now have to deal with ageing populations ; Spain is no exception. The greatest challenge those societies have to face does not lie in living longer anymore; it’s all about living long and<\/em> prosper, and health is instrumental in that regard.<\/p>\n

As people get on in years, they\u00a0tend to lose more and more mobility, and as a result, become increasingly isolated.\u00a0If left to fester, the twin problems of mobility loss and isolation start to feed a vicious spiral<\/strong> : people lose mobility, and become less likely to go out and meet new people ; as they run out of acquaintances to meet up with, they tend to stay at home more, which in turn, causes them to lose even more mobility.<\/p>\n

Play areas for seniors, a place to stay active and social\"Play<\/h2>\n

Spain found a new solution : creating play areas dedicated to seniors<\/strong>. They foster mobility by getting the elderly out and about, and help them socialize more.<\/p>\n

Physical therapist Paz Vidal is convinced of the social benefits of those areas : “It’s very social, that’s the most important part. We wanted to tear down this barrier where the elderly take their grand-children to the park, sit on a bench, and then go home when the kids are done playing<\/em>“. According to her, they also help foster intergenerational bonding : “Children also have all they need to enjoy it. It’s a good way to promote family cohesion, and help build intergenerational bonds too.<\/strong><\/em>“<\/p>\n

Francesca Guerrera is among those who use senior playing areas regularly : “I’m not one to sit idly at home. I go out a lot, because if you stay home, you spend your time criticizing your children. […] If you stay home, you won’t be hurting anywhere, but after two days, you can barely move<\/strong>.<\/em>“<\/p>\n

What about meeting new people ? “Love in the playground! No, but at least, they go to dinner together. They start building friendships<\/em>“, Paz Vidal says.<\/p>\n