HILSA UTSAV / ILISH UTSAV

HILSA UTSAV 2013 at THIKANA SHIMLA on 8th Sept. from 10 am. Probable cost Rs. 400/ head. Anybody can join. For details pl contact Dr. A. Desarkar: 9330843394.
 www.facebook.com/thikanashimla

ACTIVE AGEING

Active ageing (aging) is a recent concept (1990) evolved by the World Health Organization, by which it is meant that a longer activity period with a higher retirement age.

Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It applies to both individuals and population groups. - WHO. 

http://www.who.int/ageing/active_ageing/en/

Active ageing allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need. Older people who retire from work and those who are ill or live with disabilities can remain active contributors to their families, peers, communities and nations. Active ageing aims to extend healthy life expectancy and quality of life for all people as they age, including those who are frail, disabled and in need of care. 

Worldwide, the proportion of people age 60 and over is growing faster than any other age group. Population ageing refers to a decline in the proportion of children and young people and an increase in the proportion of people age 60 and over. Decreasing fertility rates and increasing longevity will ensure the continued “greying” of the world’s population. 

Rapid ageing in developing countries is accompanied by dramatic changes in family structures and roles, as well as in labour patterns and migration. Urbanization, the migration of young people to cities in search of jobs, smaller families and more women entering the formal workforce mean that fewer people are available to care for older people when they need assistance.

Maintaining autonomy and independence as one grows older is a key goal for individuals. Moreover, ageing takes place within the context of others – friends, work associates, neighbours and family members. This is why interdependence as well as intergenerational solidarity (two-way giving and receiving between individuals as well as older and younger generations) are important tenets of active ageing. Yesterday’s child is today’s adult and tomorrow’s grandmother or grandfather. The quality of life they will enjoy as grandparents depends on the risks and opportunities they experienced throughout the life course, as well as the manner in which succeeding generations provide mutual aid and support when needed.

The active ageing approach is based on the recognition of the human rights of older people and the United Nations Principles of independence, participation, dignity, care and self-fulfilment. It shifts strategic planning away from a “needs-based” approach  to a “rights- based” approach that recognizes the rights of people to equality of opportunity and treatment in all aspects of life as they grow older. It supports their responsibility to exercise their participation in the political process and other aspects of community life.

Active ageing policies and programmes recognize the need to encourage and balance personal responsibility (self-care), age-friendly environments and intergenerational solidarity. Individuals and families need to plan and prepare for older age, and make personal efforts to adopt positive personal health practices at all stages of life. At the same time supportive environments are required to “make the healthy choices the easy choices.” 

http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_NMH_NPH_02.8.pdf

Two men practicing Tahtib, one of them lost his hair, indicating advanced age active Ageing, on an Ostraca from Ancient Egypt,Louvre,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_ageing

AN ORGANIZATION FOR WELFARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS SIMLA, SERAMPORE -3, HOOGHLY www.elderpeoplehome.org

ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY: 15th JUNE

Elder Abuse

The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Around 4 to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The incidence of abuse towards older people is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.

Elder abuse can be defined as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person". Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.

Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically under reported globally. Prevalence rates or estimates exist only in selected developed countries — ranging from 1% to 10%. Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious. As such, it demands a global multifaceted response, one which focuses on protecting the rights of older persons.

The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Approaches to define, detect and address elder abuse need to be placed within a cultural context and considered alongside culturally specific risk factors. For example, in some traditional societies, older widows are subjected to forced marriages while in others; isolated older women are accused of witchcraft.

From a health and social perspectives, unless both primary health care and social service sectors are well equipped to identify and deal with the problem, elder abuse will continue to be under diagnosed and overlooked.

Each year on or around June 15th, communities and municipalities around the world plan activities and programs to recognize WEAAD. We encourage you to join others around the nation and world in observing WEAAD by carrying out activities such as:

·     Developing an educational program or press conference;

·     Volunteering to call or visit an isolated senior; or

·     Submitting an editorial or press release to your local newspaper to create awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an excellent opportunity to share information about abuse, neglect, and exploitation in later life. However, raising awareness of mistreatment of older persons is an ongoing effort, not limited to one day. There are many ways to become involved, from the simple yet meaningful, to planning events that require a little more commitment and time. Visit the “Join Us in the Fight Against Elder Abuse” section of the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) website for more information and activity ideas for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Whether the effort is great or small, once a year or throughout, all of these efforts empower us to make long-lasting differences in the lives of vulnerable elders.

Wear something purple to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

For better knowledge pl. go through the links

http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/Elder_Rights/EA_Prevention/weaad.aspx

http://www.un.org/en/events/elderabuse/index.shtml

http://ncea.aoa.gov/index.aspx

AN ORGANIZATION FOR WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

SIMLA, SERAMPORE, HOOGHLY

W.B., INDIA

PIN: 712203

www.elderpeoplehome.org

M; 9330843394

LIFE STYLE CHANGES FOR A HEALTHY LIFE AS THEY AGE

Lifestyle changes seniors can make to lead a healthy life as they age

A balanced diet and participation in regular exercise are paramount in maintaining a healthy life for people of all ages. Routine exercise and healthy diet in seniors can have an even more noticeable impact in their general well-being.

Many diseases in seniors may be prevented or at least slowed down as a result of a healthy lifestyle. Osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressures, diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, depression, and certain cancers are some of the common conditions that can be positively modified in seniors through diet, exercise, and other simple lifestyle changes.

In addition to diet and exercise, other important life style modifications to lead a healthier life in seniors include:

• Limiting alcohol intake to one drink daily
• Smoking cessation
• Using skin moisturizers and sun protection
• Brushing and flossing teeth once or twice a day
• Staying proactive in own healthcare and participating in decision making
• Going to the primary care doctor routinely
• Reviewing list of medications with their doctor(s) often
• Following recommended instructions for health screening, preventive tests.
• Visiting a dentist annually or biannually
• Following up with eye doctor and foot doctor, especially for people with diabetes
• Being aware of potential medication side effects and drug interactions.
• Adhering to routine sleep schedule and using good sleep hygiene
• Engaging in routine and scheduled social activities
• Taking vacations

Social issues affect the life and health of seniors

 Social issues affect the life and health of seniors

Social issues can have a significant impact on life and both physical and mental health of seniors. Some of the major contributors to social and psychological problems for seniors are as follows:

• Loneliness from losing a spouse and friends
• Inability to independently manage regular activities of living
• Difficulty coping and accepting physical changes of aging
• Frustration with ongoing medical problems and increasing number of medications
• Social isolation as adult children are engaged in their own lives
• Feeling inadequate from inability to continue to work
• Boredom from retirement and lack of routine activities
• Financial stresses from the loss of regular income

These factors can have a negative impact on overall health of an older individual. Addressing these psychosocial problems is an integral component of seniors' complex medical care.

CHANGES IN THE BODY WHEN GROWING OLDER

What changes occur in the body as we age?

A wide range of changes can happen in the body to different degrees as we age. These changes are not necessarily indicative of an underlying disease but they can be distressing to the individual. Even though the aging process cannot be stopped, being aware of these changes and adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce their impact on overall health.

Expected bodily changes of aging include change in:

• Skin: With aging, skin becomes less flexible, thinner, and more fragile.Easy bruising is noticeable, and wrinkles, age spots, and skin tags may become more apparent. Skin can also become more dry and itchy as a result of less natural skin oil production.
• Bones, joints, and muscles: Bones typically lose density and shrink in size making them more susceptible to fractures (breaks). Muscles shrink in mass and become weaker. Joints can suffer from normal wear and tear; joints become inflamed, painful, and less flexible.
• Mobility and balance: A person's mobility and balance can be affected by various age related changes. Bone, joint, and muscle problems listed above in conjunction with changes in nervous system are the major contributors to balance problems. Falls may occur resulting in further damage with bruises and fractures.
• Body shape: As a result of bony changes of aging, body stature can become shorter and curvature of the back vertebrae may be altered. Increased muscle loss and reduced fat metabolism can also occur. Fat can redistribute to the abdominal area and buttock areas. Maintaining an ideal body weight becomes more difficult.
• Face: Aging changes also take place in the face. Other than wrinkles and age spots, the overall facial contour can change. Overall loss of volume from facial bone and fat can result in less tightness of the facial skin and sagging. The face becomes droopier and bottom heavy.
• Teeth and gums: Teeth can become more weak, brittle, and dry. Salivary glands produce less saliva. Gums can also recede (pull back) from the teeth. These changes may result in dry mouth, tooth decay, infections, bad breath, tooth loss, and gum disease.
• Hair and nail: Hair can become thinner and weaker as a person ages. Dry hair may lead to itching and discomfort. Nails may become brittle and unshapely. Nails can also get dry and form vertical ridges. Toe nail thickening (ram's horn shape) is common. Nail fungal infections may occur frequently.
• Hormones and endocrine glands: Hormonal changes are seen commonly in the elderly. Most common is the hormonal control of blood sugar and carbohydrate metabolism leading to diabetes. Thyroid dysfunction and problems with fat and cholesterol metabolism are also commonly encountered. Calcium and vitamin D metabolism may also become altered. Sexual hormones reach a low level and can lead toerectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness.
• Memory: Problems with memory are common in seniors. However, it is important to realize that minor memory problems do not constitutedementia or Alzheimer's disease. Simple lapses of memory such as not remembering where you left a key or whether you locked the door are a normal part of aging.
• Immunity: The body's immune system can get weaker with age. Blood cells that fight infections (white blood cells) become less effective leading to more frequent infections.
• Hearing: changes in nerves of hearing and ear structures can dim hearing and cause age-related hearing loss. Higher frequencies become harder to hear.
• Vision: Eyes can become drier and the lens can lose its accuracy as we age. Vision can be affected by these changes and can become blurry and out of focus. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct these problems.
• Taste and smell: Sense of smell and, less commonly, sense of taste may fade leading to poor appetite and weight loss.
• Bowel and bladder: Bowel and bladder control can cause problems with incontinence (involuntary loss of feces or urine). Additionally, bowel and bladder habit can change. Constipation is common in older adults, as are urinary frequency and difficulty initiating urine.
• Sleep: Sleep patterns can significantly change with age. Duration of sleep, quality of sleep, and frequent night time awakening are commonly seen in seniors.

These changes are different in every individual. Some people may experience more changes in a particular area compared to others.

AN ORGANIZATION FOR WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

SERAMPORE, HOOGHLY

M: 9330843394

AGEISM

Ageism is defined as negative or positive stereotypes, prejudice and/or discrimination against (or to the advantage of) elderly people on the basis of their chronological age or on the basis of a perception of them as being ‘old’ or ‘elderly’. (Iversen, Larsen & Solem, 2009).

Ageism, or age discrimination is stereotyping and discriminating against individuals or groups because of their age. It is a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify age based prejudice, discrimination, and subordination. This may be casual or systematic. The term was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against seniors, and patterned on sexism and racism. Butler defined Ageism as a combination of three connected elements. Among them were prejudicial attitudes towards older people, old age, and the aging process; discriminatory practices against older people; and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotypes about older people. The term has also been used to describe prejudice and discrimination against adolescents and children, including ignoring their ideas because they are too young, or assuming that they should behave in certain ways because of their age

AN ORGANIZATION FOR WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

SERAMPORE, HOOGHLY, W.B., INDIA, PIN: 712203

M: 9330843394