The Casa Mia Retirement Home in Forlì, Italy, has officially opened its second operational building. It is located near the historic city center and can accommodate up to 20 additional senior citizens.

The ceremony took place on December 18, 2023, with Mayor Gian Luca Zattini cutting the ribbon. Councilors Giuseppe Petetta and Barbara Rossi were also present. The new Casa Mia 2 facility can house up to sixteen self-sufficient full-time residents and four people in the day center.

"This new location wants to offer, [while maintaining] the same philosophy of caring for the elderly, a characteristic context for those who, due to distance or habit, are fond of this peculiar area of the city," explained Fabian Nikolaus, director of Casa Mia.

Since 2022, the building, formerly used as a residence for the elderly, has been entrusted to the management of Casa Mia, which has been present in the area for 40 years, with its facility in Via Curiel. The new building has two floors, offers eleven rooms—almost all with two beds—and a cozy, welcoming environment. It is staffed by nine employees who take care of food and laundry, as meals are currently prepared in the kitchen of Casa Mia 1.

"The high-quality standard of socio-sanitary care that has characterized the home over time will be guaranteed," Nikolaus said assuredly.

Social engagement, health care, catering and nutrition services, physiotherapy, psychology, animation, psychomotricity, social-secretarial assistance, and transport are some of the services offered.

In his opening speech, Mayor Zattini recalled the importance of feeling like part of a community, especially “after what we had to endure with the flooding.” Councillor Rossi thanked all those who had worked to make the facility usable and, thus, offer a place where guests can feel well and not lonely.

The Casa Mia Retirement Home, an institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, works to create a living environment in which senior citizens are at the center of every action and thought. Respect for dignity is a value that guides all the activities available. Over the years, the home has undergone five structural extensions that have professionalized and qualitatively improved the space in its headquarters to accommodate more people. The latest, currently still under preparation, is a pavilion for Alzheimer's patients, with eight beds and a green area.

The news of the inauguration of the new facility was also reported in the local press.

To learn more about Casa Mia, please go here.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-European Division website.