Seniors told to take care

From left are Vera Brewster, Monica Nightengale, Eula Holmes and Evelyn Barnett, who will be 88 tomorrow, chatting during the Senior Citizens Appreciation Day. (Picture by Kenmore Bynoe.)

By Lisa King | Thu, January 19, 2012 - 12:07 AM

The senior citizens in the Winston Scott Polyclinic’s catchment area were yesterday encouraged to take greater control of their health so they could still age with dignity and grace.

Acting Chief Public Health Nurse Claudette Casey of the Winston Scott Polyclinic, speaking at the polyclinic’s Senior Citizens Appreciation Day, reminded over 40 seniors that the key to living a healthy and productive life was

to take care of themselves. She encouraged them to care for their teeth and feet in addition to getting regular physical and mental exercise.

Casey explained that there were several conditions such as chronic non-communicable diseases and obesity, which was now reaching epidemic proportions, and cancers that were once thought to be a part of normal ageing but had now been shown to be due to disease processes influenced by behaviour and dietary health practices.

The senior nurse said the increasing number of people living to be over 65 years meant that programmes that catered to the health conditions prevalent in that age group needed to be implemented. However, she said that of key importance was for the family to understand the ageing process so they could assist with the care.

Read the full story in today's DAILY NATION.