By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, July 22: It is well known that an active lifestyle balances cognition, health and well-being of elderly people which is key for healthy aging. However, many adults who need to take care of the aged parents either ignore this fact or know very little about it.

Nardevi Bhattarai, 71, who is staying at an elderly's home, highly appreciates the need of different activities so as to keep the aged people healthy from all perspectives.

Bhattarai, presently living at Om Old-aged Home in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, said that she was able to live free from diseases and was feeling a great sigh of relief from her nasty experiences in the recent past after she started being involved in activities while staying at the old-aged home.

“I am living a healthy and happy life here in the old-aged home. We stay physically active, eat healthy foods and socialise with the community people,” she said. 

Sharing her daily routine, she also suggested elderly people to be involved in any kind of activities to maintain sound health.

“I manage my activities of daily living myself. I wake up in the morning, make my bed and engage myself in morning puja,” said Bhattarai. “Then, I go down in the kitchen and help the volunteers prepare food and then participate in backyard farming, and we offer some vegetables to the needy locals as well.”

Likewise, Dr. Richa Nepal, consultant physician at Bharatpur Hospital, said, “Active life has a profound impact on improving the overall health of elderly. Mainly, chronic diseases can be effectively managed with active and healthy life.”

Activities give a space for elderly in staying occupied and socialise with social –support networks which help minimise elderly's problems like loneliness, feeling of abandonment, loss of goals and social circles. Involvement in such activities balances social and emotional health of the senior citizens, she added.

Moreover, following the restoration of sense of self due to active aging, many elderly will have a chance to engage, communicate and share their experiences to people, which helps to maintain not only physical and emotional well-being, but also cure neurotic disease like dementia, said, Pratik Sharma Lamichhane, lecturer of Gerontology (Social Work) in Tribhuvan University.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Healthy Ageing (2015-2030), like active ageing, emphasises the need for action across multiple sectors thereby enabling elderly people to remain resourceful to their families, communities and economy.

In the meanwhile, active life also creates a two way opportunity in the society for inter-generational involvement and also to share a space to express themselves, learn and be engaged in society. (Mahima Devkota

is an intern at the risingnepaldaily.com)