International Day of Older Persons: Living old age with dignity
by Editorial Team
October 1 is International Day of Older Persons.
A demographic revolution is underway throughout the world. Today, world-wide, there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years and over; this total will double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050 – the vast majority of them in the developing world. Therefore, it makes it increasingly important for us to care for our elderly.
Contributions made by the elderly in today's times
Even now, older persons make major contributions to society. For instance, throughout Africa –and elsewhere – millions of adult AIDS patients are cared for at home by their parents. On their death, orphaned children left behind (currently, 14 million under the age of 15 in African countries alone) are mainly looked after by their grandparents.
In Spain for example, caring for dependent and sick individuals (of all ages) is mostly done by older people (particularly older women); the average number of minutes per day spent in providing such care increases exponentially with the carers' age: 201 minutes if the carer is in the age group 65-74 and 318 minutes if aged 75-84 – compared to only 50 minutes if the carer is in the age group 30-49 (Durán H, Fundación BBVA, 2002).
Fighting the stigma of old age
Unfortunately, the ones who have laid the foundation for the society we live in – face stigma in the form of abuse, neglect, insufficient care, etc. mostly due to financial reasons. Sensitizing our youth to their problems, developing a society that is considerate for them and promoting healthy living among our youth so that they don't face problems during their old age are some of the things that can be done.
Interesting facts about ageing
56% elderly abused by their sons
Indians over 50 face serious risk of chronic diseases
Fighting stereotypes of old age
Healthy ageing
You may be abusing your body in your youth – eating junk food, not getting any exercise, working round the clock, partying hard and still are able to carry on with your life pretty normally. However, what you need to know is that internally, you are getting affected by every choice you make. So, whether you want to lead a happy, productive life in your old age or want to be pushed around in a wheelchair and get dependent on others – the option is yours!
Ten sure-shot ways to age healthy
Ten facts on ageing and the life course
Ten life-saving health tests you should take
Old-age health concerns
Old-age is associated with many diseases and health problems like dementia, cancer, etc. Here are some of them:
Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative mental disease and the most common form of dementia. It results in loss of cognitive function beyond normal ageing and is usually seen in people who are older than 65. Symptoms include confusion, mood swings, long-term memory loss and a gradual loss of bodily functions.
Early medical help can slow effects of Alzheimer's disease
6 movies portraying Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's: Parkinson's disease is an illness, which affects the brain, in which certain nerve cells, which play an important role in motor functions of the body, are lost or die. The loss of nerve cells takes place slowly over time and gradually spreads to several areas of the brain, as a result, new symptoms gradually develop over time and the initial symptoms become more difficult to control.
Parkinson's Disease – what you need to know
Cardiovascular diseases: Heart and blood vessel disease is called cardiovascular disease or heart disease. It includes various problems that are directly related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition where there is a build up of plaque within the arteries leading to a block which reduces the size of the artery, this in turn reduces the amount of blood that flows through it. If the artery is completely blocked, it stops blood flow to the organ or muscle completely leading to the death of that part. In relation to the heart, atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack.
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Take the natural route to heart health – home remedies that work!
EECP – a cheaper, non invasive treatment for heart disease
Arthritis: Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes the inflammation of one or more joints. The pain is caused due to the inflammation around the joints. Some of the types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, etc. Osteoarthritis is the most common form – caused due to overuse or injury – and can affect all joints. The other forms can either be genetic, caused due to skin conditions (psoriatic), immune disorder (rheumatoid) or by deposition of uric acid (gout). Almost 50 million people around the world are affected by one form or another.
Diagnosis and treatment of arthritis
Cancer: Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. In a healthy body – cells grow, die and are replaced in a very controlled way. Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental or internal factors result in cells that don't die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer or a tumour develops. Most cancer related deaths are due to metastasis, malignant cells that penetrate into the circulatory system and establish colonies in other parts of the body. Great advancements have been made but cancer is still leading cause of death for people under 85.
Amla can reduce your cancer risk by half!
Do you know these 5 simple ways to prevent prostate cancer?
Old-age and sexual health
Increase your sexual stamina with these tips
How hypertension can affect your sex life
Erectile dysfunction: Causes and treatment
Old-age and eye related problems
'Cataract surgery is not urgent but is definitely required'
Why should you visit an eye doctor regularly
Old-age and diabetes
Take regular foot assessment test if you have diabetes
Home remedies for diabetes
Eating walnuts may keep heart disease and diabetes at bay!
Old-age and stomach related problems
10 reasons for bloating or abdominal gas you didn't know about
What are gallstones?
Top foods to keep your liver healthy
Old-age and orthopaedic problems
New techniques to ease joint replacements
Backaches may not be that 'simple' after all
Total Knee Replacement: Common queries answered
Old-age and kidney problems
12 symptoms of kidney disease you shouldn't ignore
Kidney disease can be a silent killer!
Old-age and hearing loss
Hearing loss or deafness: 7 facts you ought to know
Old-age and headache
Why you should take headaches more seriously
Old-age and Anaemia
There's more to anaemia than just iron deficiency!
So, let us make a pledge to care for the elderly people in today's times and also, to lead a healthy life that ensures us an independent, active and fun experience when we ourselves grow old!
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