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Dr. Vajiraya Buasri Vice President National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand

at

2012 Joint World Conference

on Social Work and Social Development: Action and Impact Stockholm, Sweden

July 11, 2012

Active Ageing: How to enjoy the rest of your life in

bliss

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The rest of your life !!!

How long do you expect to live?

For the young old 60 + = ?

For the medium old 70 + = ?

For the oldest old 80 + = ?

Increased longevity is resulting in unprecedented numbers of older people. The rise in life expectancy

causes a rapid shift in the age profile of whole populations from 2010 onwards.

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Percentage of population aged 60 and over, 1998 and 2025

Source: US Census Bureau, 1999From Ageing in the Asia-Pacific Region, 2000

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Health

1. Physical Health• Nutrition “You are what you eat” balanced &

healthy diet: half, organic vegetables and fruits; half, meat / seafood + rice, grain + others

• Regular exercises appropriate to your age group

• Periodical physical check up: blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, parkinson

• Home-based rehabilitation and nursing services or Care Giver for oldest old

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2. Mental Health

• dementia

• alzheimer

• depressive, compulsive

• insomnia

Health (cont’d)

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• Pension, social security fund, provident fund

• Investment, stocks

• Saving

• Properties

• Social welfare scheme for the elderly

• Social Insurance

• Community welfare fund

Security

Economic Security

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• House adapted to accommodate the elderly: handrails, non-slippery floor, wide entrance for wheel-chair, etc.

• Friendly Environment and neighborhood for the elderly

• Protection from abuse, torture, abandonment

Security (cont’d)

Physical Security

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• Join Senior Citizen Association / Clubs

• Volunteers for organizations of choices in accordance with your capacity

• Maintain friendship with old schoolmates, new friends, workplace colleague

• Contribute to the community: donation to good causes, share ideas and experiences with younger generations, transfer knowledge and know-how to those who need your wisdom, etc.

Social Participation / Contribution

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Social Participation / Contribution (cont’d)

• Human beings are social beings; they need others’ company

• The elderly should enjoy their freedom after retirement they can choose to do things that they want and enjoy without restriction

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Active Participations in Society

• Older persons can make an impact on social activities in their communities through their contributions.

• Some older persons participate as community volunteer care givers for the elderly.

• Elderly volunteer groups can be formed for the purpose of transmission of knowledge and experiences from older to younger generation.

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Active Participations in Society (cont’d)

• They are encouraged to remain active contributors in their communities and nation.

• Government and NGOs provide them with adequate protection and care to enhance their quality of life.

• Participation in the elderly clubs’ activities will make them enjoy their life and maintain relationship with friends and interesting people.

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Elderly Club’s Activities

• Health-care

• Exercises; Taichi, applied aerobics

• Religious and cultural activities

• Lecturers

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Elderly Club’s Activities (cont’d)

• Educational tours

• Radio broadcast

• Occupational group

• Newsletter

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Spiritual Dimension

Elderly people need to have some faith or belief to guide their last cycle in life. Many become more religious. According to psychological research of

Dr. Frankl who introduced Logotherapy, a theory in psychotherapy, people who are religious whether they are Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. are

found to be happier and able to cope with stresses in life than those who do not believe in anything. A large number of techniques are brought to attention

in the self help areas; prayer therapy which positively affects those who chant words or poems

aloud.

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Spiritual Dimension (cont’d)

Meditation is quite well known and widely practiced all over the world to heal the souls and

put the mind at peace. When people, especially old people, refrain from competitive and tedious works, they feel relaxed and enjoy life more. Some even prepare to die before they are dead; many learn

how to slow down and reflect what they have been doing all their lives as they are counting down the days and come up with wonderful plan for the rest

of their lives.

Vive La Vie !

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“THANK YOU”