Kudos to the elders, 60 years old and above, as the nation observes the 2018 Elderly Filipinos Week with the theme: “Kilalanin at Parangalan: Tagasulong ng Karapatan at Pangangalaga Tungo sa Lipunang Mapagkalinga” on 1-7 October 2018. This year’s celebration in Central Luzon is spearheaded by the Commission on Population-Regional Office III led by Regional Director Eleanor A. Cura of the POPCOM-Regional Office III and an active member of the Regional Nutrition Committee. NNC Region III’s proud member of Senior Citizens, Administrative Aide VI Dulce E. Santos, participated in the said event at the Event Center of the Robinson’s Starmills, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on 1 October 2018. Copies of the NNC-developed Nutri-tips sa Senior Citizens flyers, along with emergency kit, mugs and other goodies were distributed to those who joined the celebration.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Section II provision states that “The state shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children”.

Filipinos do love the elder members of their families. And as espoused by the 1987 Philippine Constitution, several laws were enacted as an expression of respect and honor to the elderly Filipinos and to ensure that their rights are ensured and promoted.

1. Republic Act 7432 “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purpose;
2. Republic Act 9994 “The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, and
3. Republic Act 7876 “An Act Establishing Senior Citizen’s Center in all Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines, and Appropriating Funds Thereof”.

The Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens 2006-2010, which is anchored on international mandates and guided by national policies and legislation acknowledge the role of senior citizens and promoting their active participation in development.

There are also strategies employed to achieve active aging such as:

1. Prevention of non-communicable diseases. Older adults get disabled due to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke), osteoarthritis (a disease that causes joint swelling or “pamamaga ng kasu-kasuan” with pain and limits movement), osteoporosis (a disease in which bones become brittle and more likely to break), and hypertension (high blood pressure and a risk factor for several other NCDs. All of these if older adults are able to practice healthy lifestyle when they were younger.
2. Access to age-friendly primary health care for early signs and better management of chronic diseases.
3. Creation of age-friendly environments for senior citizens such as mandatory retirement, creating a friendly environment that encourages participation and strengthening the relationship between age groups.

As older adults are at greater risk of encountering health and nutritional problems due to declining stamina, the Nutri-tips sa Senior Citizens¹ can be a useful guide for a healthier life:

1. Kumain ng iba’t ibang pagkain araw-araw. Isang gabay ay ang pagkakaroon ng tatlo o higit pang kulay ng pagkain sa pinggan.
2. Gatas ng ina lamang para sa inyong apong sanggol. Suportahan ang anak o manugang para makapagpasuso pagkasilang at masimulan ang angkop na pagpapakain sa inyong apo simula anim na buwan.
3. Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw-araw. Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw-araw. Kumain ng tatlong dulot ng berde, madahon at dilaw na gulay. Kumain ng dalawang dulot ng sariwang prutas.
4. Kumain ng isda, karne, manok, itlog at butong gulay para sa sapat na protina. Iwasan ang karneng may taba. Kumain ng itlog tatlong beses kada linggo.
5. Uminon ng gatas at kumain ng maliliit na isda at lamang dagat para sa matibay na buto at ngipin. Maaari ring kumain ng mga pagkaing gawa sa gatas tulad ng yoghurt at keso.
6. Tiyaking malinis at ligtas ang pagkain at tubig para maiwasan ang pagtatae at iba pang sakit. Maghugas lagi ng kamay.
7. Gumamit ng iodized salt para sa sapat na iodine sa katawan.
8. Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis. Limitahan ang mga pagkaing ito para makaiwas o hindi lumala ang sakit sa puso, hypertension, diabetes o cancer.
9. Panatilihin ang tamang timbang. Iwasan ang maging payat at pagiging mataba.
10. Maging aktibo at iwasan ang stress. Iwasan ang alak at hiwag manigarilyo. Ito ang mga sangkap ng healthy lifestyle kasama ang tamang nutrisyon.

A call to action: 1) Local nutrition workers to look at the nutritional needs of older adults; 2) Local Nutrition Committees to plan and implement programs that can prevent or delay the onset of disabilities among older persons and for these older adults to remain independent and active as they age; and 3) Barangay Nutrition Scholars’ to counsel and promote good nutrition among the older adults.

Author:

Angelita M Pasos, Nutrition Officer III