It is not enough to merely add new years to life; our objective must be to add new life to those years” – Late President John F Kennedy
October 1st is the International Day of the Older Person
Let us celebrate it as the Elders’ Day. This is Bharat; the elder is revered as older, wiser, kinder and gentler, who blesses our future as well as forgives us of our past and present.
“Elder persons are invaluable sources of knowledge and experience and have much to contribute towards peace, sustainable development, and protecting our planet”-UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 25 Sep 2023
The theme for this Day in 2023 is: Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons
The Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is an opportunity to bring everyone together for ten years of collaboration to enhance the quality of lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Globally, the population aged 65 and over is growing faster than all other age groups.
Population ageing is poised as the most significant social transformation of the twenty-first century, with implications for families, communities, the country and the world.
The International Day of the Elder is an occasion to educate the public on issues of concern and to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity, particularly of the Elders.
Ageing is the natural maturation of life. Many of the tough, and frustrating challenges that met one during younger days have become a thing of the past, and have receded into distant memory.
This is the time to chill, enjoy and have fun with life!
In the iconic Hollywood movie, “Big”, the young Tom Hanks, when he was a child, transforms into an adult through an act of street magic. He meets a young woman who gets attracted to him. But when he chooses to go back to childhood, with the help of the same street magic, he asks her ‘Will you come with me?”. Her eyes glaze over, and with an expression of doubt and pain, she says “No. I have been there before”.
Let life flow forward. There is always hope, opportunity, excitement and fulfilment ahead. You do not want to look back, and become a pillar of salt as in the Biblical story of Lot’s wife.
Elder persons are increasingly seen as contributors to development, whose abilities to act for the betterment of themselves and their societies should be recognized and supported.
A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families, but also for societies as a whole. Additional years provide the chance to pursue new activities such as further education, a new career or pursuing a long-neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities. Yet the extent of these opportunities and contributions depends heavily on one factor: health.
Common health conditions associated with ageing include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia.
Older age is also characterized by the emergence of several complex health states. They are often the consequence of multiple underlying factors and include frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium and pressure ulcers.
If people can experience these extra years of life in good health and if they live in a supportive environment, their ability to do the things they value will be a little different from that of a younger person.
Although some of the variations in older people’s health are genetic, most are due to people’s physical and social environments – including their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities, as well as their personal characteristics – such as their sex, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Maintaining healthy behaviours throughout life, particularly eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity and refraining from tobacco use, all contribute to reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, improving physical and mental capacity and delaying care dependency.
Supportive physical and social environments enable people to do what is important to them, despite losses in capacity. The availability of safe and accessible public buildings and transport, and places that are easy to walk around, are examples of supportive environments.
As a mature, intelligent, imaginative, resourceful and capable modern community and society, let us cherish, support, encourage and enable our elders to live meaningful, healthy and happy lives.
I would love to know what you think about our monthly newsletter. Feel free to give your feedback by email [email protected].
Dr. Kavitha Sundaravadanam
Senior Family Physician
Highlights @ Kauvery
Hey, beautiful human, Let’s welcome October!
There are some moments in life where time seems to creep by ever so slowly. Sometimes it can feel like days at a time. You have probably heard it said that “time flies when you’re having fun”, but the truth is that it flies by no matter what. Can you believe it is already October?
Nevertheless, the month of September has been very exciting and we were thrilled to celebrate two significant occasions that resonate deeply with our commitment to the healthcare excellence – The World Pharmacists Day and the International Housekeeping Week. Both Pharmacists, as well as Housekeepers play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our patients and the overall functionality of our healthcare facility.
International Housekeeping Week (10-16 Sep, 2023): Recognising the unsung heroes
Our housekeeping staff plays a pivotal role in maintaining a hygienic and welcoming atmosphere for patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals alike. Their efforts directly contribute to infection prevention and control practices, which are more crucial now than ever before.
We took time from our routines to recognize and appreciate the often-overlooked heroes behind the scenes who keep our hospital environment clean, safe, and conducive to healing. Their diligence and hard work provide the foundation upon which the rest of our healthcare services are built. Their contribution may be behind the scenes, but it is undeniably invaluable. Their contribution may be behind the scenes, but it is undeniably invaluable.
World Pharmacist Day (25th Sep 2023): Honoring the Pillars of Medicinal Care
A day dedicated to acknowledging the tireless efforts of the pharmacists. Pharmacists are not just experts in medication; they are indispensable members of our healthcare team who ensure that patients receive the right medications at the right doses, while doing so they also provide vital information on drug interactions and potential side effects. Their role extends beyond dispensing medications; they play a crucial part in enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring the highest standards of care.
At Kauvery, the pharmacy department serves as an essential pillar of patient care and safety. On 25th Sep, we took time to express our gratitude to our pharmacy team for their unwavering dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to improving the lives of our patients. That brings us to the end of September 2023.
Let us make this October focused with happy boosting activities in your daily life. Do not overlook the simple things, which are often the most rewarding, and bring us the greatest joy and happiness. If you start and end the day well, you will have something to look forward to twice a day! You will be happier the moment you do it!
By Uma & Vamci
Dementia Support Program
Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani organised a panel discussion by experts in Neurology and Psychiatry on the management of Dementia.
World Lung Day
Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani organised awareness campaigns for World Lung Day. The initiative highlighted the perils of smoking and pollution to Lung Health. The staff, nurse and student volunteers took part in the initiative which took place at Vadapalani and Porur signal junctions.
World Pharmacists Day
World Pharmacists Day was celebrated by organising fun events and activities for the Pharmacists of the hospital, to give a twist to their routine work.
International Housekeeping Week
International Housekeeping Week was celebrated by recognising the dedication and contribution of the housekeeping staff towards maintaining hygiene and preventing infections in the organization. They also play a vital role in a patients recovery.
TRANSTAN Award for Kauvery Hospital
The Heart and Lung Transplant Team of Kauvery Hospital Chennai has been bestowed with a prestigious award by the Tamil Nadu State Transplant Authority (TRANSTAN). This distinguished recognition is a testament to the team’s unparalleled dedication, expertise, and remarkable success in heart and lung transplantation, ultimately saving and improving the lives of countless recipients.
Free Parkinson’s Clinic and Tai Chi Session
Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet and Vadapalani organised a free Parkinson’s clinic for individuals with symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. The clinic offered consultations, and recommendations on the management of Parkinson’s Disease.
The Alwarpet Hospital also hosted a Tai Chi Session, as it is proven to be effective in improving balance and coordination in individuals with Parkinson’s.
World Heart Day
In order to raise awareness on heart health, we had a community connect event today at Elliots Beach. Over 300 people participated in the Walkathon which was flagged off by our senior consultants. This was followed by Zumba, Mime show on heart health and a wonderful demonstration of BLS and usage of AED by Dr Vidya and ER team. Thanks to everyone who participated in the event and made it a grand success.
