The time has come to welcome autumn. To usher in the new season, the RSA 'Villa I Pitti' in Signa has organised a few days dedicated to the theme of the grape harvest for its guests to mark the end of summer.

The staff of the facility involved the elderly in various discussions on the topic of the grape harvest, collecting the personal experiences of the guests regarding this specific time of the year. From the discussion among the guests it emerged that wine production was once charged with a very strong meaning of collective unity, because it was practised every year in the family.

Shared by all was the memory of the women of the family preparing schiacciate con l'uva (flat bread with grapes), in keeping with Tuscan tradition. After contacting some local farms, the educators of the rest home procured grapes with which the facility's cook prepared the schiacciate (flat bread) for the afternoon themed 'The grape harvest delights our palate'. This was followed by convivial moments of singing and dancing.

"We wanted to welcome autumn by taking our guests back to their past moments, dedicated to the grape harvest, which were welcomed as a joyful occasion to unite the whole family," said facility director Iacopo Giglioli. "It is important, in days so close to World Alzheimer's Day, to always stimulate the guests' memories. We want to create a family atmosphere in which everyone can share their past experiences and create new ones together with the other guests".