Charmaine Gauci

2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (EY2012).

Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. Of all Member States, Malta has the second highest share (21.5%) of persons aged 50 to 64 years as per total population.  Moreover Malta has a fertility rate (1.4 per woman) below EU average whilst life expectancy is one of the highest (78 to 80 years). These demographic changes will increase the proportion of elderly persons in our population and hence the need to put active ageing high on the agenda as a sustainable model.

A National Committee was set up within the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care with the aim of translating the EY2012 aims and objectives in Malta. Keeping in mind the broad scope of the EY2012, the interministerial and multi-stakeholder Committee streamlined the
objectives of the year in four main areas:
• Older persons’ participation in formal employment; • Active ageing by means of health (biopsychosocial) literacy and healthy ageing initiatives; • Older persons’ participating in
volunteering; and
• Solidarity between generations.

As we get older we have a tendency to slow down. That does not have to mean daytime television and comfort eating. Elderly people can be as fit and healthy as younger people. In order to reach these objectives the elderly have to be motivated to eat healthy, work and exercise. Obviously the latter two objectives have to be carried out in a feasible manner.

Exercise is the primary driver for reversing age-related functional decline. There are various types of exercise one can do, including aerobics, which are helpful to maintain and recover the heart/lung/vascular fitness. Weight training is important to start the musclebuilding process and hence remain strong. Elderly often suffer from lack of flexibility, bad posture and endurance.
Various forms of exercise can help including Yoga, Pilates, and stretching and balance exercises. However,  physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean joining an exercise class.  Gardening, walking to the shops and housework can all count as types of activity too.Apart from exercise, good
nutrition is essential to remain fit and healthy. It is very important that food choices are nutritionally dense, which means one still need to eat a variety of foods to get all the necessary
vitamins and minerals, but with fewer calories.

If a person is overweight or obese, it’s even more important to be calorie conscious. Advice to restrict fat intake, particularly cutting saturated fat to improve heart health, remains equally true for older people who want to be fit and well. High-fibre cereal foods, fruit and vegetables are important for the prevention of chronic diseases and prevention of constipation which is common in the elderly. Older people should limit foods and drinks that are rich in sugar, as it can impair dental health and contribute to weight gain.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate offers advice to all groups of people including the elderly on healthy food options and physical activity. Apart from the advice, this directorate is also working hard to reverse the obesity epidemic which is also affecting the elderly. As a health care provider you too have a role to play in achieving the aims of the EY2012.