Clean air, a taste for discovery and serenity: these were the main ingredients of the day spent by the guests of the Rsa 'Montepulciano' in Bra, managed by the Sereni Orizzonti group.

Led by the facility's director, the seniors went on a trip to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Fiori in Bra.

One of the oldest Marian shrines in the province, the Old Sanctuary was built in the Baroque style in 1626 on the site of an earlier chapel commemorating a miracle. The building houses a statue of the Madonna of the Flowers inside a side chapel. A painting by the Flemish painter Jean Claret also depicts the same subject together with another painting dedicated to St. Philip Neri.

 On arrival at the shrine, the guests conducted a tour, revealing anecdotes and curiosities about the building. After the short tour, the elderly and operators enjoyed an ice-cream snack, to rest a little and enjoy the last few days of mild weather.

"Outings in the area are a special occasion for the elderly," said Ramona Borla, director of the facility, "They are a diversion from everyday life and a return to sociability. This is something that is often lacking for residents of retirement homes, which is why we are very committed to this front. After the visit, we immediately noticed the benefits: the residents were much more active, lively and vital, both mentally and physically".

The 'Montepulciano' residence in Bra can accommodate elderly people with varying degrees of self-sufficiency. It is managed by Sereni Orizzonti, one of the first three groups at national level operating in the construction and management of assisted care residences, with about 80 RSAs and more than 5,000 beds in Italy and abroad.