It is very disturbing when you have to stay at home all the time, because you are retired and have nothing to do," says Gulnara Bukhsianidze, 64, a retired epidemiologist who has 35 years of experience of working in the field, but now, like other retirees, spends most of her time at home.
The purpose of "60+ Club for Healthy and Active Ageing" hosted in the Library Named after Mirza Gelovani and implemented by Tbilisi City Hall and the Union of Tbilisi Municipality Multifunctional Libraries, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is to make the life of people over 60 healthier, more active and interesting. People, who want to stay physically and mentally healthy and be active members of society are welcome to the club.
Bukhsianidze, who learned about the Club on TV, joined various creative groups and made new friends.
I had never been a member of a club. I was really excited about joining one like this and I was very happy when I did... Being its member is highly motivating and helps you find your purpose in life, which is a big advantage. I have been fond of drawing and singing since childhood," she says.
According to the survey report "Loneliness among Elder People" published by the UNFPA last year, almost one out of four older people living in Georgia suffers from emotional and/or social loneliness. "60+ Clubs" in Georgia aims to helping them educe the feeling of loneliness and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Tinatin Elisashvili, 64, is a retired teacher of Russian language and literature. After retiring, she wants to devote her time and herself to realizing her dreams and aspirations:
I think when people get older, they become more tolerant and warmer. When I come here, I feel surrounded with a positive aura, I forget everything."
When you're at home, you are not able to use your time rationally. When I come here, I feel fulfilled. I start thinking about coming here several days before. When I'm in a bad mood, I focus on my drawings here. This club has had a very positive impact on my life," she says. "It makes me feel young again and I forget my age."
On April 19, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) published the 2023 State of World Population Report. Commenting on the Report, Florence Bauer, UNFPA's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, talks about issues related to the trends of declining fertility and population aging. According to her, it is important to understand "How can countries prosper economically? How do we ensure pension and health systems can cope with demographic change? How do we maintain services and infrastructure for people living in sparsely populated rural areas?”
Florence Bauer finds it encouraging to see that "more and more countries are beginning to put aside fear and are responding to demographic change with new, constructive solutions in order to foster truly successful, thriving populations."
They are not setting targets but are aiming for demographic resilience. This approach means that social and economic systems stay attuned to what people themselves say they want and need to flourish."
The members of the "60+ Club" unanimously say that they feel like a real family. Some of them travel long distances to spend time with their peers in an interesting and productive way: drawing, singing, dancing, exercising and enjoying life.
I really like coming here. It's not just about drawing and singing, what matters most is connections and relations with each other, we are like a family... I feel very good... the relationships formed here are very special," says Larisa Sulkhanishvili, 69.
Mimosa Sadradze, 66, shares the opinion and despite the fact that she has a large family, as soon as she had some free time, she decided to join the "60+ Club" as she saw it as a path to self-realization.
We are happy to come here, see each other, learn something new. I had never tried my hand at drawing and here I discovered that I am able to draw. People like my works, we have a very good teacher. The Club is a place where I relax," she says, noting that their families are also very happy to see them doing something new.
Ia Vekua, representative of the marketing department of Union of Tbilisi Municipality Multifunctional Libraries, believes that such clubs are necessary, because "there are very few places where people who have reached the retirement age can devote their time to themselves and spend time with their peers."
Many of our club members have children, grandchildren and other family members at home, but they think that socializing with their peers, acquiring new skills and knowledge, and discovering new interests and hobbies are important," she says.
"60+ Club" was opened in Tbilisi in the autumn of 2022 and since then the Club has hosted several events and exhibitions organized by club members, which was "the greatest joy" for them.
Everyone noteს that they embarked on a new phase of life, which is the main purpose of the Club. The success of the club is also evidenced by the fact that we have a list of people who have been waiting since October for their turn to join the Club once it is expanded or a new branch is opened,” says Ia Vekua, adding that this is a process older people have been looking forward to.
