Gerontóloga Teresa Martinez gave a Conference on ageing.

Spain, March 2012.- The year 2012 has been declared as ’European year of active ageing and intergenerational solidarity’ with the aim of promoting the creation in Europe of active and healthy ageing in the context of a society for all ages.

The increase in life expectancy and the ageing of the population are common features, today, of the developed societies. Usual visions that stop only on the negative aspects of this demographic reality (social burden, shot of public expenditure, etc.), is essential to understand the aging as a heterogeneous process inherent to the human being. Only in this way can identify the different needs of the people and propose support measures to ensure quality of life in old age. Because this is the challenge: give quality of life years gained life.

most of the elderly age until age advanced stateful acceptable health allows us to an independent and autonomous life. The elderly, therefore, constitute a very important social capital which is often little exploited for the benefit of their community. The existing scientific knowledge supports the importance to the elderly remain active throughout his life in the different areas (physical, cognitive and social) to maintain a good state of health and improve their emotional well-being. Also studies highlight the importance of preventive programmes, throughout the life cycle, to achieve healthy ageing, focusing on the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the maintenance of adequate levels of activity.

The World Health Organization in 2002 made the model of active ageing, which has become the paradigm that guides global policies, defining it as the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to improve the quality of life as people age ”. Assuming this model implies challenges both for individuals and for organizations and administrations. Promote active ageing implies to develop inclusive policies for all generations, and for older persons (including also those who are in a situation of dependence) bet by developing conditions of greater health, better security and effective participation.

The Conference also developed the main challenges that we have public higher, professional and responsible persons, to ensure the realization of this model in everyday life and in our social reality.

Note

Teresa Martínez, is a recognized expert in social gerontology in his belt combines professional experience in intervention and in the planning of social policies, teaching and authoring various publications related to the applied Gerontology. The two latter are:

“LA care GERONTOLOGICA in the person-CENTERED.” Guide for professional intervention in centres and care services to older people in situation of fragility or dependency ”. Published in September 2011, by the Basque Government.

TRAIN THE MEMORY AND INTERVENE IN REMINISCENCES. A new publication, social gerontology collection of the Spanish society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG), published in January of 2012, by the Editorial Médica Panamericana.

fuente: City Council of Avilés