International day of older persons

Dr. Jagadindra Raychoudhury

Aging is a natural phenomenon and it is controlled by gene.

But researchers have developed a new gene therapy to help decelerate the aging process.

The findings highlight a novel CRISPR/ Cas9 genome-editing therapy that can suppress the accelerated aging observed in mice with Hutchinson –Gilford progeria syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that also afflicts humans .

The concept of anti aging therapy evolved due to various risk factors diseases like heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer etc. to a name few. Keeping importance of aging process, Salk institute researchers have developed a new gene therapy to extend its priority for decelerating the aging process.

Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor of Salk’s gene expression laboratory expresses as ‘aging is a complex process in which cells start to lose their functionality, so it is critical for us to find effective ways to study the molecular drivers of aging.’

No doubt, scientists are always trying to investigate and reinvestigate the cause of diseases and extend their capabilities in many aspects to fulfill their goal. The surgical processes are also now simplified in which patients receives less pain than earlier and other treatments turns made easy, yet lot of problems faced by older person in various corner of life.

United Nations passed a resolution in the general assembly in the year 1990, 14 December to celebrate 1 October as the international day of older people and first time observed October 1, 1991. The theme of the 2023 commemoration of International older person day is ‘Resilience of older persons in a changing world.’

The theme has been chosen this year because the older people must acquainted with the changing world and it is prioritized especially in digitalized life. It is very much sure that digitalization has revolutionized our living status. Older persons are far behind in the usages of these modern digital technologies. It is because of that the United Nation theme of this special day sparks light on the issue of older persons who are not fully beneficiaries of these technologies.

It is time to train them about the usage of mobile phone, the internet and computer according to their needs, hobbies and interests. Policy makers should also keep in mind the threats of these technologies to older persons to keep them healthy and safe.

The official sixty years is retirement age but now a days, people are still active enough after this stage and able to lead another fruitful life. But, certain precautions should carry out each and every person after sixty. Diet is the most important criteria at this stage continuing to eat well.

The requirement of calorie should be lower at this stage and as a result it is important to reduce the sugary snakes such as cakes, buns etc. along with these cutting down salt, alcohol are also advisable. Instead, more emphasis should be given on vegetables; fruits and calcium reach food where it gets in milk, green vegetables and soybeans to avoid bone disease such as osteoporosis.

Besides healthy food, one has to make a practice of a little bit exercise in his routine and at least 150 minutes a week (30 minutes a day) walking along with some yoga for better as well as good amount of sleep. It is necessary to spend some time with friends in and around home and gossiping is also another practice during this stage.

It will be much more beneficial for the society if news channels telecasts interviews of some older as well as knowledgeable persons then society will be much more benefited. The same thing can be published in news papers on health, education or public services then definitely a fruitful impact will establish in our society. Regular health check-up is also a primary criterion at this stage and doctors always advices for enough sleep.

With utmost precaution and following a reasonable routine an elderly person can live for a long time without hampering anybody rather indirectly help the society. The most important part of their life is the experiences which gathered by them can be shared to the society without hesitation through different processes.

Nobody can earn experiences by spending money, so the older people could show a path in various aspects irrespective of health, education, art, culture etc. The family pattern has completely changed in the present perspective, with that nuclear family siblings have to precede some other working place outside home and as a result their older parents have to live alone.

In this regard, older parents have to depend on neighbors as well as friends circle. Meeting of friends frequently is a kind of medicine which not only inspires each other but also boosts up their mind setup to a higher extent. In this state, government could take an initiative for a meeting place of the older persons in various localities and the maintenance would be run by the specific group who are the regular visitor of that place.

They can also invite a doctor in every month for routine health checkup which will be much more benefited of that respective group. Visiting to nearby areas in a group of older person’s couple will also be a kind of mind refreshing medicine and that will be continued for several days together.

Sharing of various experiences amidst friends circle to each other is another criterion of some positive thinking which really encourages to some corner of the mind.

In the long run, older persons are losing especially on physiological aspect and to continue normal activities it requires some additional care which makes the older persons life to some extent a comfort zone.

We are very much hopeful regarding the new invention of scientists and their discoveries which might have make ease to the older persons of their day to their daily life.

Dr.Jagadindra Raychoudhury. Ph.no. 8812011012 e.mail: jagadindrar705@gmail.com Hatigaon Chariali, Sukapha Road. H/N 9. Guwahati 781038

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