Foundation advises elderly persons on healthy lifestyle 

The   Healing Heart Foundation, an NGO, has advised older people to pay attention to their health by adopting healthy lifestyles and diets to reduce risks of ailments associated with aging.

The Founder of Healing Heart Foundation, Mrs Sophy Mbanisi, gave the advice in Lagos on Tuesday during a programme organised by the NGO to celebrate elders in commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Older Persons with the theme for 2021 is: “Digital Equity for all Ages.’’

She said that Oct. 1 every year is a day to celebrate, honour and show respect to the contributions of older people to families and the society.

According to her, the foundation moved the celebration to Tuesday to enable it accommodate its monthly meeting.

She said that older people should take their health seriously by eating healthy food and go for regular medical checkups and screenings.

Mbanisi called for total inclusion of older persons in the society and developmental plans of the government as done in other countries.

“Older people in Nigeria suffer exclusion from developmental plans such as the Health Insurance Scheme coverage, among others.

“It has become pertinent for the government to consider total inclusion of older people by recognising and protecting their human rights like other citizens.

“By taking charge of their health status, older people can help in reducing risks/chances of developing some of the ailments associated with aging such cancer, hypertension, stroke, diabetes among others

“Unfortunately, lots of olderly people live in abject poverty; they have nobody to care or carter for them.

“Living in poverty can have a devastating effect on health and poor health leads to poverty.

“There is need for universal basic healthcare coverage and provision of health insurance to aged persons, especially the rural community dwellers.

“Reducing poverty, improving nutrition and making sure people have access to safe water and sanitation, as well as strengthening national health systems, is of the utmost importance,” she said.

Mrs Phil Ordu, a Retired Nursing Matron, said there is dramatic increase in hypertension prevalence among aged  Nigerian adults.

While delivering a health talk at the programme, Ordu blamed the prevalence of the condition in the country on imitation of western lifestyle, especially in diets.

According to her, studies show that the prevalence in adults aged 65 to 94 years is 73.8 per cent translating to three out of four older adults having high blood pressure.

“It’s been shown that there is dramatic increase in hypertension prevalence with age  which is number one fact that you must know.

“When hypertension develops, it is a risk factor for stroke and sudden death,’’ she said.

She advised that junk and processed foods  be reduced among elderly people; intake of salt, fats and oil in food should also be in moderation.

She emphasised that adequate intake of water is essential to maintain a healthy life when aging because on normal circumstance an individual was expected to take at least four litres of water per day.

Mr Joseph Okonkwo, an 80- year-old man, appreciated the foundation for the gesture and called on governments at all levels to always monitor to ensure that funds and grants realised for older person actually got to them.

Okonkwo lamented that some elders were suffering as grants from governments most times do not get to the grassroots dwellers.

According to him, elders look forward to seeing and attending gatherings of this nature because they are the kind of things that put joy on their faces.

The elderly  persons who attended the event went home with gifts comprising varieties of foodstuff.