Society urged to ensure ‘healthy, active ageing’

Jamaica’s senior citizen population has been described as the fastest growing group in society, with needs which must be given top priority to help them maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

Speaking at the launch of Senior Citizens Month on Wednesday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Colette Roberts Risden, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), said that it was time to “re-imagine how we care for and empower our elders”.

She said it was imperative for the wider population to assist seniors in remaining productive, active and vital members of society after the age of retirement, currently 65 years.

This year’s celebration of Senior Citizens’ Month is being recognised under the theme ‘Promoting Healthy, Active, Productive Ageing’.

“As we begin the month-long celebration, let’s remember our seniors are the heart of our communities. They’ve given so much, and now it is our turn to give back,” Roberts Risden said.

“Let’s create spaces at home, at work and in our communities where our seniors are respected, supported and celebrated,” she added, so that Jamaica can be the place where seniors can live and “truly retire”.

VALUABLE RESOURCE

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr appealed to the nation to take the time out to check up on the elderly, especially those who are living alone and are without family members.

“We have a responsibility because ... if it is that we are blessed, we will reach there (elderly age) and we, too, will want to be in a situation where we are not forgotten or pushed aside,” he added.

Dr Jacquiline Bisassor-McKenzie, chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, made an appeal for the public to make the extra effort to keep their elderly relatives out of the hospitals.

“Because we can, we can pay attention to ensuring that they get their medication, that they are taking it as it’s prescribed, and that we pay more attention to their diets. We must ensure that we pay more attention to their physical activity, that we make sure that they keep their appointments, [and] that we take the time to visit them and to talk to them,” she said.

When deliberate steps are not taken, she said, all these things tend to fall apart, especially during the Christmas period, and the numbers of uncompliant persons increases, she said.

“We have to commit to work, just as we prepare for the older years ... let it be that this year we can keep the numbers down by start doing what we need to do today.”

Older persons, she continued, represent a valuable resource for the country, and it is with this in mind that persons need to ensure “healthy, active ageing”.

CHANGE IN ATTITUDE

Psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj, in a presentation, shared that seniors should work towards extending their “age plateau” and find ways to continue to be engaged, both physically and psychologically.

He urged them to take care of their bodies, for example, engaging in exercise, which he described as “the most powerful longevity drug”.

“We are gifted with the potential of the longest life expectancy from prehistoric time to now, but guess what? The only two options you have: you’re either going to be old and fragile, or old and agile. It doesn’t happen by accident. What you do today determines what happens tomorrow, and it’s never too late to start,” Semaj said.

Semaj further encouraged seniors to take care of the mind.

He noted that there are four legs of life, in which the first half consists of childhood and education, while the second half involves work and family and the anchor leg/retirement stage.

He urged a change in attitude towards ageing and the concept of retirement.

“There are more and more persons who are showing you the sharpness of mind that comes with time ... . Dr Ruth [Westheirmer] (sex therapist) died recently at 95 still working, Clint Eastwood is 94 and still making movies. In Jamaica, we haven’t even started scratching the surface, the talent pool; mind and body, we can work on both of them,” he said.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com