Senior citizens
Senior citizens
constitute a precious reservoir of human resources and are gifted with knowledge of
various sorts
Yesterday was the International Day of Older Persons. Most of us pray for a long life that is healthy and free of disability or disease. But with aging, our body becomes weak and loses the taut muscles.
We see seniors every day whose health is being impacted by such factors like multiple medications and illnesses. However, it is not necessary to spend the retirement days in bed or hospital. The World Health Organization which is the UNs directing and coordinating authority for health related issues deserves kudos for being actively involved in promoting public awareness and attention on the International Day of Older Persons.
Senior citizens constitute a precious reservoir of human resources and are gifted with knowledge of various sorts, varied experiences and deep insights. It is observed that as life expectancy rises disproportionately due to medical and welfare facilities, senior citizens are treated as a burden on the economy rather than the assets that they could be. The nation must see them as being worthy of respect and extra consideration because in the course of their lives theyve earned our gratitude because of the ways in which their individual actions have contributed to society as a whole. The population of the elderly persons has been increasing over the years.
Growing older is not a crime nor is it an excuse to avoid modern life. Aging is a natural process, which inevitably occurs in human life cycle. It brings with it a host of challenges in the life of the elderly, which are mostly engineered by the changes in their body, mind, thought process and the living patterns. For living a healthy senior lifestyle it is essential to take care of ones diet, physical and mental fitness.
The tag senior citizen is generally given to a person who is between 58 and 65 years of age and has superannuated from active service. This age band fixed for retirement was based on the old system followed decades ago when longevity was lower than 60 years. With the advancement in medical sciences and health supporting systems, longevity now goes up to 75. One could witness the enthusiasm and energy of the senior citizens as they celebrate the day that belonged to them. May be they have formally retired, yet a devastating majority of them are physically fit and mentally alert.
We all owe senior citizens our respect and gratitude as individuals. Senior citizens dont have anything to prove to younger neighbours but they do have plenty of opportunities to teach or interact with them. Rather than demoting senior citizens to the sidelines of life, let us work to enable them to fully become integrated in society.
