"I decided to become a physiotherapist because I have always had a strong desire to help people regain their health and independence." This is Ergys Cakoni, who, like few young people in our country, returned to his hometown after completing his higher studies in Tirana and practices the profession of physiotherapist at the Mati Hospital. Meanwhile, Ergys has already volunteered to provide his free medical services, after working hours, at the Multifunctional Center “Free Service for the Elderly”, Mati Municipality.

“Most of my patients are in the third age group. Seeing the many challenges that older persons experience, from chronic pain to loss of mobility, I realized that this is an age group that is in great need of special care. For me, working with older persons is extremely rewarding, because we can see real changes in the quality of their lives.", - says Cakoni.

With the support of UNFPA, the necessary equipment for physiotherapy were purchased. In collaboration with the Mayor of Mat, Agron Malaj, and the Director of Mat Hospital, Erion Bala, who provided a room in the hospital premises and the older persons’ association, the “General Continuing Union of Pensioners of Albania” (BPVPSH), Mat branch, with the coordination of Mr. Faik Xhani and the good will of Ergys, the Multifunctional Center was opened in Mat.

During the inauguration ceremony, the mayor of Mat announced that “the idea to build a residential center for older people came from 200 seniors that requested it.”

According to Ergys, it all started with a questionnaire that was carried out on July 10th, 2023 at the older persons’ center in Burrel, which found that most of the older persons suffered from musculoskeletal problems and very few of them had been recommended an activity program, while many did not have the necessary or correct information about treatment. “This worried me a lot.”, - he adds.

Meanwhile, his path as a volunteer began with the will to do more than just clinical practice. He sees physiotherapy as “a powerful tool that not only relieves pain, but also restores the dignity and independence that older persons deserve.”.

“I started by helping in community activities for older persons, where I realized that physiotherapy is not just a physical treatment, but a way to give them hope and motivation. This inspired me to create projects that combined physical care with emotional sensitivity.”, - says Ergys.

He thinks that the main challenge is the fact that “some seniors may have given up due to age or health problems and it is difficult to restore their motivation to follow the exercises program.”

To meet these challenges, Ergys emphasizes that he "tries to create a close connection with them, listening to their concerns and adapting to individual needs. I also encourage them and praise for every small step they achieve, showing them that positive changes are always possible. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that there is always room for improvement, regardless of age.".

Equipping each senior with an individual exercise and activity program to meet their needs and creating a positive and hopeful atmosphere that influences overcoming the barriers of various forms that seniors encounter is the mission of Ergys and the older persons’ center in Mat.

"My goal for the future is to create more ideas and programs that provide personalized care for older persons. I also want to raise awareness of the importance of physiotherapy for this age group, working with communities and other health professionals, to ensure that every senior has access to quality care. I want them to feel empowered and recognize that aging does not mean the end, but a new phase of life where they can feel good physically and emotionally.", - concludes Ergys Cakoni.

The center will also organize volunteer service work for older persons by a group of retired nurses from the city of Burrel, who, a year ago, expressed their will to contribute for free. “With these services, we will influence the education and awareness of older persons to lead an active healthy life.”, - said Sanie Meta, secretary of BPVPSH, Mat branch.

The Gender and Population Development Program Analyst at UNFPA Albania, Elsona Agolli, emphasized that “It is very important for UNFPA, but also part of its mandate, to ensure support and include all older persons to be active and continue to contribute to the community where they live. Population aging is a current demographic aspect for Albania and, to contribute to demographic sustainability, the age group of people over 65 years old must also be included, be active and live a life with dignity.”.

*This intervention is undertaken in the framework of the UN Joint Programme “Leave No One Behind” (LNB2) that is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by four UN Agencies: UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN WOMEN, in partnership with the Albanian Government that aims to empower the vulnerable persons in Albania to have equal access to public services and opportunities, to have a voice in public decision-making affecting their lives, and to hold the duty bearers accountable.