Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Seniors from the Puerto Vallarta DIF's Centro de Atención Integral del Adulto Mayor (Center for Comprehensive Care of Older Adults, or CAIAM,) recently enjoyed a breath of fresh air and an evening of healthy recreation, thanks to DIF volunteers and 15 young students who took them on a tour of the Malecón.

Nursing home director, Omar Soto, reported that fifteen senior citizens (five women and ten men) took the tour, "in order to enjoy a leisurely stroll and see the changes that have been made to the city's remodeled boardwalk. The last time they went for a walk on the Malecón was 6 years ago," he said.

This event, called Paseo por la Ciudad ("City Walk") was supported by 15 students who are enrolled in the "Preparing Business, Social and Cultural Events" program at 07 CECYTEJ (Colegio de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos del Estado de Jalisco), who escorted the elderly citizens along the Malecón.

"In addition to providing a community service, these students are being sensitized to the plight of the elderly when it comes to mobilization and getting around," said Soto.

At all times, the senior citizens were supervised and supported by CAIAM's medical, nursing and psychology staff. Specialized transportation was provided by the city of Puerto Vallarta with the assistance of delegate Bonifacio Carrillo and bus #R-12 S-107 driver José Saavedra, who very kindly assisted the "abuelos" on the special ramp that made it possible for them to get in and out of the bus.

The weather was gracious, providing a cool and cloudy evening and a comforting breeze, all of which made the outing more pleasant for the seniors and for the accommodating CECYTEJ students who supported this difficult but deeply satisfying experience.