The Saló FiraGran will open from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29 at La Farga de L'Hospitalet de Llobregat with more than 300 free activities and the participation of more than 80 companies and entities. The fair concentrates a good part of its offer on technology aimed at older people.
This year's edition focuses on non-professional caregivers, a group that the organization considers little recognized, while the venue exhibits solutions to improve autonomy, mobility, and access to reliable information among the elderly population.
The fair brought together technology for seniors and focused on those who care at home
Juli Simón, president of the Fundació FiraGran, highlights the involvement of the local public since the fair's arrival at La Farga. He explains that the elderly people of L'Hospitalet have participated from the first day in presentations, crafts, and line dancing.
"The elderly people of L'Hospitalet, from the first day we were at La Farga, get involved, come, participate, and go on stage to give presentations of all kinds of activities. We see them doing crafts, line dancing... It's incredible" - Juli Simón, president, Fundació FiraGran
Beyond the general program, Josep París, vice president of the Fundació FiraGran, calls for attention to those who assume family caregiving without prior preparation. The organization dedicates this edition to that daily role that often falls within the home.
"Because, on many occasions, it is invisible. It is not a socially recognized task and, many times, we end up taking care of our parents, without realizing it and without being prepared" - Josep París, vice president, Fundació FiraGran
Maite, an attendee at the fair, linked this need to her own experience after caring for her husband. At the venue, she argued that these people need care and support.
Verificat warned of health scams and a tricycle initiative sought to break isolation
Among the proposals present is the project that Verificat directs specifically to older people. Alba Tobella, founder of the platform, identifies two areas of recurring concern: scams and health.
"Scams are one of the main concerns regarding the disinformation that older people receive and the other big area is health. In this regard, we have dismantled thousands of videos published on YouTube generated with artificial intelligence where fake doctors appeared giving fraudulent advice" - Alba Tobella, founder, Verificat
Another of the initiatives present at La Farga was En bici sense edat, focused on combating unwanted loneliness and expanding the mobility of older people. Elisa Ojeda, founder of the project, explains that volunteers not only drive, they also converse during the trips.
"It's companionship because the volunteers who drive talk to them and, furthermore, we expand mobility. There are many people who can live a few kilometers from the beach and who haven't been there in years" - Elisa Ojeda, founder, En bici sense edat
Older people with very active profiles also attended. Mercedes, 84, summarized her routine in the living room with a direct phrase when explaining that she goes everywhere, does yoga, and does everything.
The event will be held for three days, from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29, at La Farga de L'Hospitalet de Llobregat with more than 300 free activities and the presence of more than 80 companies and entities.