Older San Javier residents call for a say in later life through an illustrated calendar

An illustrated calendar for 2027 marks the conclusion of a campaign against ageism and unwanted loneliness carried out over the past year in San Javier’s centres for older people.

The project reflects a central demand from participants: respect for their ability to choose how they want to live in later life, rather than reducing old age to dependency and care.

The illustrations are by Elisabeth Justicia, creator of the project Dominga habla sola, who has worked closely with a core group of older residents in the municipality over recent months.

Using humour and irony for each month of 2027, the drawings portray an active older age free from prejudice and bring together the municipal campaign’s message against discrimination based on age.

Choice, participation and stereotypes

Participants’ concerns include being confined to a grandparenting role permanently at the service of children and grandchildren, rather than having their own decisions respected.

They also question experiences in medical consultations where they feel every problem is attributed to age, one of the forms of ageism raised during the project.

Justicia explained that self-directed ageism exists too: social prejudices and restrictions can lead older people themselves to believe they are too old for particular activities.

The illustrator highlighted the diversity she encountered among San Javier’s participants while bringing her work on a new understanding of older age to the municipality.

Listening to older residents

Mayor José Miguel Luengo, social rights and family councillor María del Mar Pérez, Justicia and the core group involved in the initiative took part in the presentation.

Pérez argued for listening to older people and involving them in decisions, stressing that they continue to find new opportunities and things to look forward to.

Luengo recalled other areas of municipal work, including a study of older people’s physical condition conducted with the collaboration of the Faculty of Sports Sciences.

The mayor also mentioned the work of the Puntos de Encuentro de Mayores meeting groups to tackle loneliness and encourage social contact, as part of an approach addressing different needs among older residents.