LET’S CHANGE OUR WAY OF THOUGHT
How can we have a successful, active and healthy aging and how can this be an added value for the economy.
Aging is a global phenomenon. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) people over the age of 60 are growing rapidly. In 2050 the over 60 will be almost 20 billion, ie 22% of the world’s population. In terms of high elongation over 85 from 2.3% will reach 7.8%
According to Eurostat data 2016, Greece is the second oldest country in Europe, after Italy, in terms of people over the age of 80.
The geriatric patient as well as the “fragile elderly” have common features, such as reduced functional stocks and polypathology and therefore the need for a holistic approach and care, not only in terms of their medical diseases, but also in terms of psychological and social their health.
Nevertheless:
AGING IS NOT A DISEASE But a phase of our life that we must manage as it should, holistically with the help of Geriatrics, which unfortunately still does not exist in the quiver of medical specialties in our country and aims at “successful aging” through proper nutrition, exercise, socialization.
NOT ALL THE ELDERLY ARE THE SAME
This is because they have different levels of functionality and therefore their needs are different.
IT IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE ELDERLY
Which have been established and recorded in the European Charter of Rights, such as the right to dignity, physical and mental well-being, freedom and security, the right to high quality personalized care, etc.
SILVER ECONOMY-SILVER ECONOMY
The aging of the population is one of the most important challenges for an economy due to the significant resources of the state budget that are absorbed by the health and pension systems.
But could the problem of an aging population be turned into added value for an economy?
The term “silver economy” is derived from gray hair. It is a term related to the category of the population that concerns adults over 50 years of age and to the overall economic activity produced or related to the needs of this age group. In a report of the European Commission, as examples of the development of new business and technological activities of the “silver economy” are mentioned the production of products and services related to the online and real-time electronic monitoring and diagnosis of health, with exercise and healthy lifestyle, with the use of robotic and other intelligent devices to assist the elderly with mobility problems, the study and construction of “smart” homes or entire settlements intended to facilitate the daily life of the elderly, the provision of integrated leisure and tourism services, as well as the provision of specialized and age friendly higher education (source: Christos Tarantilis, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business).
Europe today is facing an opportunity that has not been presented before in its history. We have a huge source of knowledge and experience with relatively healthier older people.
Golfo Dimitropoulou Geriatrist
Papadopoulion Residential Home for Seniors
