WOMEN AND AGEING

1. WOMEN AND AGEING Refocusing On The Process Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

2. FACTS AND FIGURES • Contributors to well being of the family • People are living longer and longer • The number of older people will continue to grow • Greater risks for survival • Poverty • Neglect • Gender perspectives Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

3. Age often serves as a barrier • Openness to Experience • Education and training • Employment • Rights are easy to violate • Age brings with itself the risk of disability and vulnerability • Every body has to age Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

4. Who are the older people • People who are in their later adulthood or old age • According to United Nations, any person who is above 60 years of age is considered to be aged • In developing countries individuals past 49-50 years of age are considered old Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

5. CHANGES IN APPEARANCE Physical Psychological Social Intellectual Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

6. Physical • Appearance • Loss of height • Body shape • Changes in skin and hair • Changes in muscles and bones • Changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory system • Changes in reproductive system • Change in senses Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

7. Psychological • Loss of memory, • Loss of concentration and confidence • Fear of death or Grief • Loneliness • Hostility and aggressiveness • Lack of assertiveness Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

8. Social • Loss of status in society • Loss of companionship • Loss of income • Loss of meaningful lifestyle Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

9. Intellectual Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

10. MENTAL HEALTH Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

11. EMOTIONAL REACTIONS • Rage • Psychosomatic disorders • Hypochondriases • Denial • Projection • exploitation of age and disability • Fixation and regression • Idealization • Withdrawal • Loneliness • Self-esteem Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

12. HEALTH Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

13. Areas that require attention are • Concerns for physical and mental well being • Hearing impairment • Eye diseases and conditions • Teeth and mouth care • Responding to diabetes • Issues of mobility • Dealing with physical disability • Terminal diseases Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

14. FOOD AND NUTRITION Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

15. Common problems identified are: • Food security • Cultural beliefs • Established lifestyles, food habits and preferences • Physical disability (eye sight) • Stress • Taste, smell and sight • Drug use/Smoking • loss of teeth • Changes in gastro-intestinal tract • Metabolic changes • Severe constipation or incontinence. Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

16. AGING “We are poor, We are old, We are women, Nobody wants us” Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

17. Male domination • Discrimination despite different amount of input by men and women • Important with reference to: • Health issues • Social issues • Economic issues Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

18. SOCIAL SECURITY In normal conditions In disasters/emergencies Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

19. Formal and informal social security • Pension • Contributory social insurance • Contributory provident fund • Informal social security • Common support system • Families • Neighbors • Community Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

20. Social security in disaster situations is worse (Fires, Earthquakes, Floods) • Neglected, forgotten, or excluded • Discriminate against their competencies • Treated as less important, less able-bodied • It is necessary to ensure that • Older people are involved in decision making and needs assessment process • Vulnerability areas of the elderly should be assessed. Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

21. In conclusion… • Older people need to be involved in life of family and community • They need as much independence as possible • Older man and women must be treated equally • Their wisdom needs to be utilized • Their contributions should be acknowledged and recognized • Their love companionship needs and interaction should be recognized Lets Recognize the importance of older people together

22. THANKYOU Lets Recognize the importance of older people together