Name: San Vicente de Paúl Jinotega retirement home
Location: Jinotega, Nicaragua
Group cared for: 50 older adults without family
Services used by the elderly: Free holistic care in the areas of clothing, shoes, nutrition, personal hygiene, medical assistance, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
History of the home
The San Vicente de Paul retirement home in Jinotega was founded in response to a need identified by the Catholic Church at the time. The “Damas Vicentinas”, a group of Catholic women also known as Damas de la caridad de San Vicente de Paúl (Ladies of Charity of San Vicente de Paúl), began the mission by asking the community to participate and contribute to the project. The project was delayed several times and was interrupted by the civil war against Somoza in the 1970s. In 1980, the project was completed with the help of ADVENIAT and AID.
The Damas Vicentinas handed the center over to the state and it began to operate under the management of the Instituto de Bienestar Social (Social Welfare Institute). With the change of government in 1990, the privatization of services was pushed forward and the state tried to close the center and completely separated itself from the retirement home, which was taken over again by the Catholic Church and placed under the care of the Diocese of Jinotega.
Current situation
The home is currently under the guardianship of the Diocese of Jinotega.
It is supported by three pillars: the community, the church and the state.
The state
The State participates with the monthly delivery of a package of basic food and the subsidy fund of 119,950 córdobas, which contributes to the payment of basic supplies and the payment of economic assistance to the staff of 4,850 córdobas per month, plus a bonus of 1,000 córdobas per month granted by the Mayor’s Office of the city, for a total of 5,850 córdobas, which is equivalent to 159 US dollars per month for each member of the team.
There is no budget that allows for the official hiring of staff, so the center operates through a cooperation agreement between the people interested in working in this house and the management of the center, in which economic support is provided that does not reach the minimum wage, which means that an employee will give up her position as an employee if she finds an official job opportunity. This leads to one of the main constraints, which is the lack of sufficient human resources.
Church
It provides spiritual care and encourages the active participation of its members in the mission of the retirement home. In light of recent socio-political events, greater limitations have been placed on its work as a church.
Community
To engage the community, we strive for continuous communication by utilizing social networks such as Facebook and TikTok where we post the list of inputs and priority needs that need to be resolved from day to day.
Project
After 44 years of operation in the care of the elderly, neglected by the family and society, the infrastructure shows a certain degree of deterioration, including areas with roofs in poor condition, damaged sanitary facilities and the need for painting work to create a warmer and more welcoming space.
There is the provision of recreation and leisure spaces which contribute to the wellbeing of grandparents. There are 2 dormitories with a capacity of 15 beds each and 4 dormitories with a capacity of 8 beds each. Each dormitory has 2 toilets, of which at least 5 need to be replaced. There is only one open area for activities and sunbathing. In rainy weather, they spend their time in the one room that also serves as a dining hall. There is a chapel for church services.
Currently the team consists of 20 people, including 6 final year nursing students, 1 nurse and 1 sociologist. We have the support of the Ministry of Health, which sends a doctor twice a month for consultations.
Project: Improving living conditions for the elderly residents of the San Vicente de Paúl retirement home in Jinotega, Nicaragua
The project aims to address the need for a safe space for recreational and therapeutic activities, as well as to improve sensitive and important areas such as the roofs of the corridors, the replacement of toilets in poor condition, the construction of a security gate that will allow residents to stay in a safe area while having access for ambulances and stretchers for medical emergencies.
Specific objectives
- create a covered and tiled area for recreational and therapeutic activities
- improve safety and movement conditions for residents by building a safety fence and replacing damaged roofs to prevent damp and reduce the risk of falls in rainy weather
- refurbishment of the toilets through the installation of 6 new toilets.
Construcción de área techado y embaldosado (construction of covered and tiled areas)
C$ 223,000 (5,500.00 EUR)
Construcción Verja de seguridad (Construction of security fence)
C$ 26.000 (650,00 EUR)
Rehabilitación de servicios higiénicos (Rehabilitation of toilets)
C$ 8,000 (EUR 200.00)
