The partnership between Dr. Max pharmacies and Niciodată Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor Association continues, and in 2022 it also materializes through the opening of the first socialization center of the lonely elderly in Romania. The initiative is a long-term one, and its objective is to support one of the most sensitive communities in Romania, the seniors over the age of 65 who live, most often, in solitude.

For the second year in a row, Dr. Max continues its promise to listen to people, especially those who need it most, continuing to support Niciodată Singur Association through a donation of 100,000 euros. Această donație este rezultatul unei ample campanii de comunicare prin care compania a donat un leu pentru fiecare produs marcă proprie Dr. Max cumpărat, în perioada 20 mai – 20 iunie 2022. Prin acest demers, împreună cu pacienții săi Dr. Max dăruiește bătrâneți fără singurătate seniorilor parte din programul Asociației Niciodată Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor și prin deschiderea primului centru de socializare al seniorilor din România. Cu ajutorul acestei sume, centrul de socializare dedicat seniorilor va putea susține diferite activități construite pornind de la nevoile acestora. Fiecare zi a săptămânii are o tematică axată pe sănătate, acțiuni utile, psihologie, artă, precum și o zonă recreațională.

Thus, the seniors who will visit the center will be able to enjoy inter-generational activities, sports sessions adapted to their age, knitting workshops, foreign language courses, to promote the culture of volunteering in the life of the elderly. In addition, to provide them with psychological support, the center will organize support groups on various topics associated with loneliness, all supported with the help of specialists in the field.

Deschiderea primului centru de socializare al seniorilor din România vine în completarea programului deja susținut anul trecut de parteneriat. Rezultatele din 2021 au arătat că românii sunt deschiși să sprijine această cauză, campania dublând numărul de seniori care au intrat în programele Asociației. În plus, s-au format trei noi echipe locale ale Asociației în țară – la Iași, Cluj-Napoca și Brașov, în felul acesta, ajutând și mai mulți vârstnici care resimt singurătatea zi de zi.

The goals for this year are even braver: opening the first socialization center for lonely seniors to give them a place where they will be able to tell their life stories and participate in activities that improve their life every day.

As a main partner, Dr. Max Pharmacies also continue to support the activities of Niciodată Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor Association program, through which the beneficiaries enjoy good company and socialization during festive dinners, for the celebration of Elder's day, Christmas, or Easter.

"The impact of social relationships on health is as important as other risk factors, especially when we are talking about our seniors. Improving their lives is the main objective of the campaign "Together with people". By opening the socialization center of the seniors, we try to offer them as many chances as possible to enjoy the presence of other people who encourage them to tell their stories"– Camelia Naciadi, Chief Commercial Officer A&D Pharma – Dr. Max Group.

Social interaction plays a vital role for the physical and emotional health of seniors, and in Romania, most of the time, old age is about many closed doors and isolation.

"1 in 4 people over 65 years old feel acute loneliness, and 3 out of 10 elderly people have no one to socialize with. That is why it is very important to create for them an environment that invites them to as much interaction as possible. Seniors become more communicative when they feel part of a community. Socializing and spending free time to meet the affective needs, social recognition, the manifestation of life experiences, can do wonders in the case of the elderly." – Cătălin Dinu, Executive Director Niciodată Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor Association.

Parteneriatul cu Asociația Niciodată Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor rămâne o inițiativă civică pe termen lung de susținere a acestei cauze și a programelor desfășurate, și este susţinut de o amplă campanie de comunicare, cu componente integrate de social media, TV şi campanii media.