LJUBLJANA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- An old-age home in Slovenia was declared the best facility for seniors in Europe by the European Center for Research and Education in Ageing Services, Slovenian Press Agency STA reported on Saturday.
The retirement home in the second largest city of Maribor, called Dom Danice Vogrinec, has more than 800 beds and is one of the largest retirement homes in Slovenia. It has introduced an innovative approach to the understanding of age.
The practices that they are introducing go far beyond their basic commitment of providing basic care and health care to the elderly, the STA report said, citing the Dom's head Marko Slavic.
One of their most successful projects is rock concerts dubbed Oma, Deda in Rock'n'Roll (Grandma, Grandpa and Rock'n'Roll), where well-known rock bands take the stage at admission-free open-air concerts for all generations.
The concerts have become an annual event, being organized for the fourth year this year. Thousands attend, Slavic said, including the Club of Centenarian brings together centenarians from the entire country who share their wisdom with others at special events.
"All these practices have shown our fresh, different approach to the understanding of old age," Slavic was quoted by the STA.
"We're not neglecting our required basic therapeutic activity but we're also letting people know that they're not forgotten in a fresh, kind way," said Slavic, who accepted the prize a few days ago in the Czech capital of Prague.
Aside from the Maribor home, three other facilities from Italy, France and the Netherlands were short-listed for the prize and presented in Prague.
The European Center for Research and Education in Ageing Services confers the accolade biannually. In 2014, it went to a retirement home in Germany's Krefeld and in 2016 to one in Gent, Belgium.
