Generación Valores, the comprehensive program that promotes active aging and combats unwanted loneliness in the Valencian Community

Over a thousand elderly people from numerous Valencian municipalities have improved their quality of life with the Generación Valores program so far this year

Historical routes, cultural visits, neighborhood meetings, along with ICT training, telephone support, and an active dissemination channel, promote the participation and well-being of our elders

Generation Values promotes social participation in the Valencian Community with activities for the elderly

Aging is synonymous with growing, learning, and discovering. The Generación Valores (Generation Values) program, driven by Jovesólides, has evolved, adapting to the changing needs of the community. This initiative is key throughout the Valencian Community, mainly in Valencia and Elche, but also in municipalities such as Burjassot, Paterna, Xàtiva, Segorbe, Novelda, and Alicante, among others, promoting active aging and combating unwanted loneliness among the elderly. The program improves their quality of life through a wide variety of activities that foster inclusion, continuous learning, and active participation in their community.

So far this year, Generación Valores has registered over a thousand older participants, fostering their commitment and well-being. The activities are organized into five main lines of work: neighborhood meetings, sociocultural activities, telephone support, ICT training, and a dissemination channel that provides information and facilitates registration for activities. Participants not only share and learn but also actively contribute to their community, reinforcing active aging and the fight against unwanted loneliness.

Generación Valores, a comprehensive program to promote inclusion and continuous learning

Neighborhood meetings, held fortnightly, include talks and discussions in cafeterias, green spaces in parks, physical activities like walks, and cultural events. These meetings are supported by volunteers, who ensure that the activities are accessible and of interest to the elderly.

In the field of sociocultural activities, events are organized from visits to the Falleros Craft Markets to the Old and Occasion Book Fair, which allow for the exploration of local culture, social interaction, and the strengthening of the community.

Visit by Generación Valores to the Old and Occasion Book Fair

Guided tours through Elche allowed the discovery of local heritage and history, while visits to the Museum of Fine Arts offered a cultural enhancement, broadening perspectives and fostering collective discussion.

Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia

The elderly also participated in interactive activities like the Escape Room in the old town of Valencia, which combined adventure and historical learning, film forum sessions, which open space for dialogue and emotional reflection, ending with a lively Summer Day at the River Turia.

The elderly enjoy the ‘Escape Room’ activity in the old town of Valencia

Generación Valores also participated in a cultural event attended by about 200 elderly people from Alboraia, Quart de Poblet, Xàtiva, and Novelda. The activity included the presentation of videos about social experiments created as part of the project La Ventanilla Indiscreta. This experience has served as a space to challenge xenophobic prejudices and foster social reflection among the participants.

Elderly people from Alboraia, Quart de Poblet, Xàtiva reflect on prejudices

ICT training helps the elderly in the use of applications and electronic devices, increasing their autonomy in daily life. These practical and personalized sessions empower participants to connect, access resources, and stay updated independently.

The ICT training of the Generación Valores program increases autonomy in daily life

The program has also intensified its telephone support service, translating into more than 700 calls per month so far this year. This service not only offers emotional and social support to the elderly but also keeps them informed and connected. Telephone attention benefits the entire Valencian Community, especially in municipalities like Valencia, Elche, Burjassot, Paterna, Xàtiva, Segorbe, Novelda, or Alicante, among others.

Additionally, an active dissemination channel is maintained. This channel keeps informed about current topics and helps the elderly to enroll and receive information about activities, nourishing participants daily with proposals.

Thus, Generación Valores continues to reinforce its essential role in enabling each participant to be a protagonist and actively participate in the community. Each activity becomes an opportunity to share, learn, and experience new things within an environment of support and continuous accompaniment.

Unwanted loneliness is a problem for 43% of people over 65

Unwanted loneliness is a growing problem in aging Western societies. While it is true that this problem can be suffered at very different ages, the elderly population is clearly one of the most affected.

According to the State Observatory of Unwanted Loneliness, 43% of people who live alone in Spain are over 65 years old, a situation that, added to other possible risk factors, such as widowhood or the recent loss of loved ones, as well as the possible deterioration of physical or cognitive abilities, increases the vulnerability of these people, with negative consequences for both their physical and mental health.

In this context, Generación Valores acts as an important support to mitigate these effects by establishing an effective intervention model that responds to the emotional and social needs of the elderly, helping them to rediscover new learnings and appreciate the importance of the community.

The program has not only been a space for change for the elderly but also an enriching opportunity for the volunteers participating in the project. Participating as a volunteer allows experiencing firsthand the positive impact of contributing to the well-being of the elderly in the community by providing companionship, support, and above all, company to the elderly.

The Generación Valores program is funded by the Vice-Presidency and Ministry of Social Services, Equality, and Housing of the Generalitat Valenciana with funds from the 0.7% IRPF allocation in the Valencian Community. Follow all the latest news of the project on social media through the hashtag #GeneraciónValores.

IMAGE GALLERY