Some people resist the idea to getting old, even long before the first gray hair appears, wrinkles and spots on the skin, sagging muscles, and the loss of other physical and mental attributes. It seems appropriate to point out that aging begins long before these unmistakable signs, it is part of the life cycle of human beings and it is inevitable.
In this matter, the most intelligent and appropriate thing to do is to assume the passage of time with dignity and naturalness. It sometimes happens that those who fear getting old the most are those who have lived the different stages of life to the fullest, or are surprised by senescence without having prepared for it, without projects to undertake, with the belief that reaching old age is reach the end of life.
There is an anonymous popular phrase that states: “Young people say what they do, old people say what they did, and fools what they would like to do.” That is why you have to live, love, enjoy, work, explore, do, learn, dream, experiment… Thus, when we reach old age, we will not regret what we could do and did not do.
Francisco de Quevedo is the author of this phrase: “We all yearn to grow old and we have all denied that we have already arrived.” However, I dare to assure that not all people deny the arrival of old age.
What is aging?
Aging is defined as “the set of physical and mental transformations that take place in the last period of life and that is part of a process characterized by the decline of vitality, due to the organic modifications of old age itself, which that can progressively limit the individual’s ability to adapt to the environment”.
It should be noted that this decline occurs unevenly. For example, while the speed of nerve impulses decreases only 10 percent from the age of 30 to 70, lung capacity can drop by more than 50 percent in the same period. That is, it does not occur in the same way in the different systems of our body. On the other hand, one must always consider individual differences.
The learning and memory qualities of the elderly, although they suffer the decline of age, can be maintained through practice, motivation and instruction. What’s more, on many occasions the decline is due to an error in the use of strategies and not to a lack of capacity or ability. It is clear that those who suffer from a certain type of pathological process, such as dementia, must be excluded.
As for intelligence, everything that has crystallized remains. Today’s researchers are creating “wisdom” tests that assess traits such as expert knowledge and judgment in planning one’s life. They have found that older people who remain physically and mentally active perform better than those who become inactive.
It is important to know what to expect. Some changes are normal with aging, while others may be a sign of a health problem. It is important to recognize the difference and speak to a doctor if you have any concerns or concerns.
Aging in Cuba
The Cuban population has significantly increased life expectancy. We are witnessing the advent of an aging population, which constitutes a challenge for the whole of society since it must adapt to this new reality and, above all, prepare for it.
A few figures can confirm the previous approach. The growth of the elderly population doubles that of the general population. By the year 2025, approximately 1 in 4 Cubans will be over 60 years of age.
Cuba is one of the four oldest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, but it is where the process occurs most rapidly, which is why it will be the oldest in the region. This process is irreversible, the people that these figures represent are born and go through different stages of their aging.
Although old age begins at 60 years of age, aging begins much earlier, so that the goal of achieving a satisfactory old age, where people associate increased longevity with maintaining their autonomy and social integration, depends on this process It also develops in a healthy way.
All men and women of good will are responsible for this, especially the youngest, who must bear in mind that the young of today will be the old of tomorrow.
And I suggest to all of you that you keep in mind something that the Swedish filmmaker, screenwriter and writer Ingmar Bergman, considered one of the key film directors of the second half of the 20th century, wrote: “Aging is like climbing a great mountain: while climbing the forces diminish, but the gaze is freer, the view broader
- Are you worried about getting old? - 5 de June de 2023