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| Wednesday, 4 February 2004 |
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Learning to age actively by Kanagamany Thurairatnam, Vice President - 'Ageing Gracefully' "Crabbed Age and Youth cannot live together, Youth is hot and bold, Age is weak and cold", said the poet, but some ageing ones who participated in a programme, proved that it need not be so.
It was a bright and sunny morning on January 21 when we, the members of 'Ageing Gracefully' arrived at the Health Education Bureau Auditorium, at Kynsey Road, Borella, to participate in programme on the promotion of 'Active Ageing', in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Nutrition, and sponsored by the WHO. We were warmly received by Dr. Deepthi Perera, Director of Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced, Ministry of Health and Nutrition, along with Dr. Shyamali Dambaragama, Consultant, Community Health Services and Dr. Yoganayagam, Senior Medical Officer of Health, both of the Health Bureau of Education and Donald Waddanambi, a physiotherapist of the Health Department. They conducted this programme. Dr. Deepthi swung into action getting each one of us introduced to the other, (as there were non members as well) in a game where each one's leisure time activities, talents, abilities, and interests were made known to the others. This game kept us on our toes, and at the end of it, each one had a flower pinned on him or her, adding colour to the activity. Having thus broken the ice, we were served a refreshing cup of tea. Then in walked vivacious Dr. Deepthi, all ready for a demonstration of exercises. She first presented a brief introduction to the programme, stressing the fact that these exercises that were to follow would keep our minds alert, our bodies trim and active, and stretch, strengthen, and aerate our muscles, so that although we are old in years, we need not be weak and cold, but be active as much as we could. As Dr. Deepthi began her introduction we listened with rapt attention. Then when she started her demonstration almost all of us were on our feet with excitement and expectation written on every face, as we followed every move of hers. Dr. Shyamali and Dr. Yoganayagam went into action assisting us with postures, raising and stretching of arms and knees with instructions to pay attention to angles and height of arm and leg movements. Dr. Deepthi also stressed that we should keep our mouths open and count up to ten, as the duration for each movement of the exercise was ten seconds. These exercises, she said, were to be done gently and slowly with open mouths to prevent the blood pressure building up. She also recommended brisk walking daily for about half an hour. These exercises, fourteen of them were stretching ones, and twelve of them were for resistance training. They were by no means strenuous and are enjoyable, easy to perform, convenient and inexpensive. A serving of hot vaddais at the end of Dr. Deepthi's demonstration was very welcome and strengthened us to follow the physiotherapy demonstration by Donald Waddanambi, who very patiently demonstrated how the muscles which become dormant after an illness or surgery could be activated, and the affected limbs made to function normally. He took great pains to demonstrate how the different muscles in the different parts of the body should be handled. Various questions were raised by the members, regarding arthritic pains in various limbs; and he patiently answered all of them. Questions were also raised about varicose veins and their prevention. He gave some advice on the use of bandages. It was sheer delight to see Dr. Deepthi and her team demonstrating these exercises with great dedication and efficiency, when today's values have deteriorated with everything commercialised and out of reach to many. We do thank her and her team from the bottom of our hearts for taking much of their precious time to help us. Dedicated Dr. Deepthi not only did the demonstration but also made copies of the illustrations of these exercises and which were shown on the overhead during the demonstrations. She saw to it that these copies along with the literature prepared by her, on promotion of health and longevity, and need for a continuous exercise programme in old age, were given to each participant. This programme was much appreciated, and it delighted the elders, that there was a request for a follow-on, to be carried out by the members, so that daily exercise with aid may be done until all are proficient in it. Many are the needs of the elders, and programmes like this will help elders to live independently and with dignity. We look forward to more programmes that could be sponsored by the WHO to meet these needs. |
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