A Lawyer by Profession but a Fitness Enthusiast at Heart

Sharing a motivational story of 78+ Mr. Manikonda Prakash Rao who through his determination and with a purpose to do something good for the society devised some exercises to help those who suffers from respiratory problems. (http://seniorexpress.in/health-fitness/a-lawyer-by-profession-but-a-fitness-enthusiast-at-heart/)

This story is published on www.seniorexpress.in

An Optimist who Defeated Cancer

Sharing an inspirational story of 73 year "Young" Mr. Jayant. P. Nadkarni, who through his strong will power and family support fought and defeated 'Cancer'. (http://seniorexpress.in/hea…/an-optimist-who-defeated-cancer) .

He is a perfect example of productive and active ageing.

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Launch of Senior Express- www.seniorexpress.in

Happy to announce the launch of my dream project - www.seniorexpress.in.

Senior Express is an online platform where anyone can share and discuss, ideas and topics related to healthy, productive and active ageing.

The site is multi device compatible and can be accessed from mobile or tablet as well. Look forward to your support and active participation.

World's Oldest Yoga Teacher

98 year old Ms. Tao Porchon - Lynch is the world's Oldest Yoga teacher. She teaches discipline and control of the body and mind through Yoga. She is well equipped  to spread Yogic insights, originating in India, to Westerners seeking enlightenment. She believes in living a healthy and happy life (http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/home.html).

Tao is a perfect example of Healthy, Productive and Active Ageing. I salute this lady for her positive spirit towards life and also for her useful contribution towards society.

Same post has been shared on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/productiveageing

An 82 Year Old Social Worker

82-year-old  S. Chandramathi Rao is an inspiration for not only youngsters but elders too. At this age when many want to focus upon themselves and their health, she chooses to provide peace of mind to other elderly who don’t have anyone to take care of them. (http://www.thebetterindia.com/69651/why-this-82-year-old-chose-to-start-an-old-age-home-in-bengaluru/)

While visiting some old age homes and looking at the poor condition of the residents there, ten years ago she started an old age home called “Nemmadi Vishranthi Dhama”. This old age home has all the facilities for the elderly. Since ten years she is running this old age home. Still she is taking care of the residents and trying her best to make them feel at home, a place where they can live with peace of mind.

She is a perfect example of healthy and productive ageing. I salute this lady for her great deed.

Same post has been shared on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/productiveageing

Most Tattooed Elderly Couple

Who says that only youngsters are crazy about tattoos? Meet Charles Helmke, 75, and Charlotte Guttenberg, 67, who hold Guinness World Records for being the most tattooed senior citizen of their gender (http://www.people.com/article/guinness-world-records-most-tattooed-senior-citizens-couple). Guttenberg has 91.5 percent of her body covered by tattoos and 93.75 percent of Helmke’s body is covered by tattoos.

This proves that age is just a number and there is no age limit for following one’s passion.

Same post has been shared on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/productiveageing

Happy Dussehra!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Dussehra. Lets take a pledge on this Dussehra to fight with all negative thoughts within us or in the society which stops us and our significant others from leading a Healthy, Productive and Active life.

Enjoy this festival with your family and friends, especially with the elder members of your family who look forward to enjoy this day in the company of their family members.

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Senior Citizens as a Team Mascot in a Swedish Football Match

Often sports is suppose to be a field where youngsters are encouraged to participate more as compared to elders. I appreciate the nice initiative taken by the Swedish Football club AIK in which they encouraged the oldest club members to enter the field as team mascots (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/19/aik-swapped-children-pensioners-mascots-gefle-lennart-johansson). Through this step they not only expressed their respect to the older members but also raised their self esteem.

There is a dire need for such kind of initiatives in the field of sports. I feel more and more sport events should have such activities where elderly are also encouraged to participate which in turn can help them (especially those who have interest in sports) lead an active, dignified and productive life.

Same post has been shared on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/productiveageing

Happy World Elders' Day

1st October is celebrated worldwide as World Elders' Day or International Day of Older Persons. The aim behind this is to dedicate a day for senior citizens and on this day highlight the important contributions of the 60+ towards the society and create awareness on the issues and challenges related to ageing.

This year's theme for World Elders' Day is to Take a Stand Against Ageism. So, lets join hands to prevent the spread of negative attitudes, stereotypes and discrimination against senior citizens by fighting with our own ageist view (if any) and stopping others around us, be in family, office or society from talking or thinking negatively about old age.

I seriously feel that the first and foremost step towards Stopping Ageism is by sensitizing people about issues and challenges related to old age and with the fact that ageing is not synonymous with health problem as there are many people in this world who are an example of healthy, positive and active ageing.

On today's occasion I wish all elders a very happy elders day. My message to them is - Lead a healthy and happy life and inspire us with your positive attitude towards life.

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Dementia: Issues and Concerns

As I have written earlier, dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which includes loss of memory, difficulty in understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing routine tasks and some personality and mood changes. These are some of the symptoms which a person suffering from dementia experiences. In addition to this, as it progresses, socially and psychologically a person with dementia faces many problems in adjusting well with everyday task in their family and society, not only because of  the symptoms which it brings but also because of the stigma attached with it and also due to lack of information about how to deal with it..

With reference to the above context, I found a very useful article written by Dr. Mala Kapur Shankardass, who is a sociologist and a gerontologist. The article "Remembering those who have lost their memory" (http://www.asianage.com/health-fitness/remembering-those-who-have-lost-their-memory-685) highlights the critical issues related to dementia and gives suggestions as to how it can be controlled in number of ways for which special effort has to be put by the family, community and society.

While working with and for senior citizens have come across many people including youngsters who had no information about dementia and who felt that it is a part of old age. I strongly feel that it is very important first to raise awareness about dementia that it is disease and not just a part of old age. This should be done in strategic way by organizations working for senior citizens. Along with this ways of  controlling it should also be shared by experts in this field and people should be sensitized about the needs of people with dementia. As of now very few organizations are working towards this aim. More and more organizations both from voluntary and corporate sector must join hands to work towards this goal.

Lastly, I want to say that to deal with this issue well as Dr. Mala mentioned “dementia-friendly communities” are required very much in today's time because along with encouraging social involvement of people with dementia, such communities also raise awareness on the needs and well-being of care givers and reduce risk factors that may contribute towards the growing incidence of the disease. I am sure as the number of such communities will increase occurrence of dementia will be controlled and people will be able to lead a healthy and active life.

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