Older adult is a recent term given to people who are over 65 years of age. These can also be called the elderly. An older adult has achieved certain traits that are acquired either from a biological point of view (changes of natural order), social (interpersonal relationships) and psychological (experiences and circumstances faced during his life). Older adults are a symbol of status, prestige and a source of wisdom. They are generally treated with great respect and are identified as teachers or counselors in certain societies because of their background.
What is an older adult
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The term older adult comes from the Latin adultus, which means to grow up or mature, while older comes from the Latin maior, whose meaning refers to great in age. The term refers to the last years of life of a person or the maximum age of a human being, a vital stage because many situations have been lived or experienced that generate learning, in addition, various changes occur, which may be physical or psychological.
The end of the third age is death, it is its end point, but it leaves a lot of teaching on the people who are in its social or family circle.
Currently it is necessary to support older adults in different nations so that they can have a dignified life.
Rights of the elderly
Elderly people enjoy different rights in different parts of the world, including having equal opportunities, the right to a decent life and promotion in the defense of their interests. Mexican laws establish support for older adults in the family and social environment so that they can be guaranteed emotional health, as well as living in a society that is sensitive to the problems they may have, their responsibilities, merits, etc. But if we talk about the general rights of the elderly, it is that they can have an active social, cultural, political and economic life.
They have access to health services (including hospital care when it comes to extreme emergencies), to use public transport, to recreation and culture, they have the right to be respected, to have physical and emotional integrity, to receive dignified treatment before any person or entity (in case of judicial or administrative proceedings).
In some countries, the elderly can only carry out tasks or tasks as long as they are in their intellectual and physical capacity, so that they are not exploited economically or physically. Finally, in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, discrimination against the elderly and the enjoyment of a pension is prohibited.
Health of the elderly
Just as there is a way to interpret the term of older adult WHO definition, it should also be known that the health of the elderly goes beyond not suffering from chronic diseases, that their condition can be more delicate than that of a child and that they must be cared for both physically, mentally and emotionally due to their special needs.
Physical Health
These people, upon reaching 65 years of age, are quite likely to suffer from osteoarthritis, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, have eating problems, pneumonia, groups, heart and neurological diseases, fibromyalgia, fatigue, visual and hearing problems and even cancer caused by some of the previous pathologies.
Mental health
These diseases are quite serious pathologies that have a connection with the humor, thoughts, actions and feelings of older adults, which is why it is said that they have a lot to do with emotions. At least 20% of the world's older adults have mental disorders, including senile dementia, Parkinson's, sleep disorders, stroke, and Alzheimer's.
Emotional health
Generally, the elderly tend to suffer from a specific emotional disorder, this is depression and that is the product of loneliness. Both have become a very delicate health conflict in people, in fact, these people often have fears, sadness and, consequently, they isolate themselves socially. The depression in the elderly generates loss of appetite, so you lose weight.
Elderly care
Care for the elderly must be quite special, this is because the body of these subjects is not the same as that of an adult, a child or a newborn, as there are psychological and physical changes in them, for It is recommended that they have a quiet life, that they can enjoy their families in peace and harmony, that they have balance, that they can perform some simple exercise routines to promote physical health, put aside fatigue and joint pain or muscular, and avoid degenerative diseases.
It is imperative that there is good care of the grandparents, as this allows them to live their last years with happiness, tranquility and generating new memories. These and more tips can be seen on the web as a pdf older adult or in an older adult inapam (Instituto Nacional de los Personas Adultas Mayores), a website where you can see everything related to the elderly in Mexico (even how process the pension for the elderly).
Activities for the elderly
Older people need to exercise a lot both their mind and their body, that is why they should carry out activities that exercise the body and its cognitive part, for example, games for older adults such as:
- Letters
- Domino
- Puzzles
- Activities such as dance therapies and yoga.
