The Proposals Of Centro Anziani "AIN Karim"

The increase in life expectancy in the senile age, has given rise to a better idea about old age. This is obviously linked to the fact that in the contemporary society, social roles and functions have changed radically, in comparism to the ancient model, when, the elderly people for a long time were cut off from the world of labour: their experiences, and knowledges, were considered not important any more. They were considered old and outdated.
The elderly became practically useless persons to the society (the new class of the poor), people who had nothing more to give and to say.
It is only a different cultural model, which places as it's first value the human person, that can help to give existential meaning to every age and every condition.

In doing so, the eldery person, like any other individual, will not be considered useless, but can contribiute and help to enrich himself and every other person in the society. It is evident that an elderly person can still live a productive life in a global sense and be useful to the society. This is exactly the vision of “Ain Karim”. In our our Nursing Home, the elderly is fully cared for and this is a great dream realised. This of course, was the result of hard work by many, but we must emphasize the fortitude, tenacity and love for the elderly demostrated by Mons. G. Sortino and those who have collaborated with him. .
The Centre has re-stated and given appropriate value and dignity to the elderly person, seen as a physical and spiritual entity, with their own cultural and experiential baggages.

We do not consider them based on their actual old age, physical appearances, but see and treat them based on their spiritual qualities and their life achievements. For us the aged is living library, a connection between the past and the present. They are to say the least, “history relieved”.

From this premise, one can understand that a nursing home is not the ideal for the elderly, there is no place like home. For this reason, we make every effort in our Center to understand the needs of each inmate and try to render their stay pleasant and as comfortable as possible. This is due to the fact that we have observed that whenever a new guests (new intake) arrives, it is always a very delicate period, due to his or her separation from their original families and environment etc.

Some, as soon asthey park in into the nursing home, at the nursing, get depressed, cry, and are generally home sick. With our homely care and person to persdon concern given to them by our very well trained staff, one sees smiles on their faces, radiating joysand tranquility in their new found home “Ain Karim”.
Visitors to our Center, have testimonies of similar impression about our home, viz; sense on unity, care and love given to our guests.

Below are some of the open testimonies given by some of our Guests .

1. Mr. Salvatore Fichera, born on 13/11/1931.

From 1970 to 1990, I lived in Milan, and worked as a "Fiber Analyst". I returned to my town, after having undergone several surgical operations and equally had lost my wife. I was addmitted at Ain Karim on 07-07-2007. The first few months of my stay was a disaster: I wanted to be alone, and was also depressed. At this point, the Management of the Center decided to entrust me to an operator, (nicknamed Guardian Angel) as they usually do to new Guests who need special attention. The work of my “Guardian Angel” was to stay close to me, find out what were my needs, make me feel good and found out what were my likes and dislikes. Today after few months of my stay in this Center, I am serene and wish to thank the management and staff of the Institute for the care given to me. Now, I go willingly every day to help in our Center Workshop with my Guardian Angel Luciano Randazzo.

Today Mr. Fichera has been able to produce 4 models of miniature ships, with all the requirements needed, furniture and electrical equipment inside the ship.

Many operators have had a gift from him. He had also realised several works made of wood and inside the laboratory still has several works to be completed, He is presently constructing a miniature ship for Mons. G. Sortino, (called Padre Sortino by his admirers ) with a vase of flowers in wood and a small table.

Today we can say that Mr. Fichera has found a reason to live.

There is yet another testimony from a retired teacher

2. Vincenza Marino, born on 25/12/1921

She says “Initially I was addmitted to the Center together with my husband who was very ill in 2005. After the death of my husband, I returned to my house and then on 07/07/2007, I came back to the Centre. On my arrival I got immediately attached to the Center may be because I found a loving environment filled with affection. Infact I nicknamed them the "white angels, full of patience and love towards all".

Just as Mrs. Vincenza mentioned before, after the death of her husband she returned home, flushed with pain. This summer her daughter, going on vacation, proposed that she returns to the Centre to forestall possible loneliness.

So she did, Mrs Vincenza says “yes I want to be lead by my "white angels". Now she has started to accept the demise of her husband and to live in the love of God and to accept others.

When her daughter returned from vacation, she could not believe her eyes, she noticed a great change in her mum.

When her daughter proposed that she returns home with her, Mrs Vincenza refused, she preferred to spend the rest of her life at the Centre. During this period of vacation, she had started working and producing various artistic objects, she wants to finish what she had started. She works with pegs, exactly what she used to do during her 45 years as an elementary school teacher.

The most important aspect of this great woman, is her capacity to involve so many other elderly people in her project, she was always a teacher and that she remained.

The work carried out with pegs of wood are varied: a small chapel for the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Bolster, Pen holder, an immage of the tower of Pisa, and many other things.

3. Mrs. Rosanna Zappaterra, born 19/07/1928

Date of addmission - 17/05/2006.

I came to stay at the Center after one year of my husband's demise.

“when I understood that my daughter had arranged to place me in a nursing home, I wailed because I thought that the nursing home is like a hospital”.

I am not a Sicilan, but a native of Emilia Romagna, I married at the age of 16 years and after the birth of my first Issue, I began to suffer from phlebitis and had to move from one hospital to another and finally left my home town to come and live in Sicily becauce of it's mild climate.

Not withstanding the transfer, I still suffered so much and was often addmitted in the hospital.

The first two weeks, of my stay at the Centre, was marked with much difficulty.

I was able to overcome my problems thanks to the operators of the Center who were always ready to help me. Today, I grew flowers (a hobby I had always loved), read in the Church, sing and takes care of my fellow elderly people in need of help, in various ways namely, I accompany those of them on wheelchairs, takes them to the bathroom etc.

I can really say that I am feeling good, renewd, peaceful and happy.

My duty everyday is to lead the prayers at the established hour with the microphone.

During our usual monthly birthday party, I participate activelly in the dancing and the singing and try to involve my fellow guests. This gesture merited me the nickname "Queen".