Active aging and health program for older adults
20% of the total world population is over 60 years old, according to data from the World Health Organization. That is, close to 700 million are elderly people, a figure that by 2050 is expected to exceed 200 million.
Faced with these new demographic scenarios, experts have been advocating for years a change in citizen service systems. In fact, in 2012 the European Year of Active Aging was celebrated, an opportunity that the European Commission took advantage of to make visible and value a social issue that concerns the health of everyone.
What is active aging
Active aging is about creating the appropriate environments and circumstances so that older people have a long, full and healthy life. And is that aging is an evolutionary and dynamic process, one more stage of the life cycle of a person.
In this way, the experts flee from the old idea that considered passive, dependent and unproductive old age. The new premises of active aging aim to add health to the years and encourage people to live longer enjoying optimum wellbeing.
Determinants of active aging
In order to establish the necessary conditions that allow active aging for all, the institutions consider that there has to be a change in the way of viewing aging, as well as creating adapted environments and establishing systems of long-term care.
But what does it mean to live old age in an active and healthy way? The experts mention 4 basic pillars that describe a dynamic life process of a person over 60 years old:
- Having basic needs met
- Make decisions, learn and grow
- Be physically independent
- Maintain relationships and contribute to society
Active aging encourages all of us to direct our lives, keep diseases (if any) under control and make the most of the opportunities we have within our reach.
Active aging activities
Living more and better means taking care of yourself at all stages of life, from childhood to maturity. Our past lifestyle will be directly reflected in the way we will live as adults.
Health professionals remind us that during old age (as in the rest of life periods), it is convenient:
- Move more: perform physical activities daily and for at least 45 minutes, such as walking fast, climbing stairs or dancing. Moderate resistance exercises with weights and toning are also beneficial. The Spanish Society of Geriatric Medicine argues that physical exercise can help prevent injuries and influence a faster recovery after a dysfunction.
- Feeding with a head: the menus should include proteins, vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantity, and discard greasy foods since they are difficult to digest. In addition, it is preferable for older people to make several small meals a day instead of a few large ones. They should prioritize foods with fiber to avoid constipation, a recurrent problem in these ages.
- Socialize: keep and take care of family relationships, meet friends, start new hobbies and share experiences helps us to stay active and have better mental well-being. 53% of seniors start new activities after 65 years of age, according to the White Paper on Active Aging by IMSERSO.
As you can see, the contribution of the elderly to society is invaluable. Hopefully tomorrow we all have the opportunity to continue contributing knowledge and experience in different areas, and thus put our grain of sand to make this world a better place for everyone.
20% of the total world population is over 60 years old, according to data from the World Health Organization. That is, close to 700 million are elderly people, a figure that by 2050 is expected to exceed 200 million.
Faced with these new demographic scenarios, experts have been advocating for years a change in citizen service systems. In fact, in 2012 the European Year of Active Aging was celebrated, an opportunity that the European Commission took advantage of to make visible and value a social issue that concerns the health of everyone.
What is active aging
Active aging is about creating the appropriate environments and circumstances so that older people have a long, full and healthy life. And is that aging is an evolutionary and dynamic process, one more stage of the life cycle of a person.
In this way, the experts flee from the old idea that considered passive, dependent and unproductive old age. The new premises of active aging aim to add health to the years and encourage people to live longer enjoying optimum wellbeing.
In order to establish the necessary conditions that allow active aging for all, the institutions consider that there has to be a change in the way of viewing aging, as well as creating adapted environments and establishing systems of long-term care.
But what does it mean to live old age in an active and healthy way? The experts mention 4 basic pillars that describe a dynamic life process of a person over 60 years old:
- Having basic needs met
- Make decisions, learn and grow
- Be physically independent
- Maintain relationships and contribute to society
Active aging encourages all of us to direct our lives, keep diseases (if any) under control and make the most of the opportunities we have within our reach.
Active aging activities
Living more and better means taking care of yourself at all stages of life, from childhood to maturity. Our past lifestyle will be directly reflected in the way we will live as adults.
Health professionals remind us that during old age (as in the rest of life periods), it is convenient:
- Move more: perform physical activities daily and for at least 45 minutes, such as walking fast, climbing stairs or dancing. Moderate resistance exercises with weights and toning are also beneficial. The Spanish Society of Geriatric Medicine argues that physical exercise can help prevent injuries and influence a faster recovery after a dysfunction.
- Feeding with a head: the menus should include proteins, vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantity, and discard greasy foods since they are difficult to digest. In addition, it is preferable for older people to make several small meals a day instead of a few large ones. They should prioritize foods with fiber to avoid constipation, a recurrent problem in these ages.
- Socialize: keep and take care of family relationships, meet friends, start new hobbies and share experiences helps us to stay active and have better mental well-being. 53% of seniors start new activities after 65 years of age, according to the White Paper on Active Aging by IMSERSO.
As you can see, the contribution of the elderly to society is invaluable. Hopefully tomorrow we all have the opportunity to continue contributing knowledge and experience in different areas, and thus put our grain of sand to make this world a better place for everyone.
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