Editorial Vere Álvarez N
This group, despite being the most vulnerable to the pandemic, has continued to grow in recent years. There are currently just over 9 million older adults in Spain, a number never seen before. 41,5% of them are obese, which causes them problems, especially with circulation and back problems.
We must not forget where we come from. They, our ancestors, our elders, or, for those lucky enough to still have them, our grandparents. They gave everything for this society in which we currently live. Not only by fighting for a world of equality and building from values to every cobblestone street, but also by giving light to each generation that has been built over time. Not even COVID has been able to stop its growth. and it is true that they have been the social group most vulnerable to the disease and those who have suffered the worst from the pandemic, but the growth in the number of people over 65 years of age has not stopped.
The aging process, according to the statistical data of the continuous registry of National Institute of Statistics (INE), continues to accelerate strongly in Spain. As we mentioned earlier, the pandemic has caused the first population decline in the last four years, with 106.146 fewer people in 2020, but The cohort of people over 65 has not stopped growingThis has increased by “89.130 people, going from 9.218.381 on January 1, 2020, to 9.307.511 on the same date in 2021, one year after the outbreak of the pandemic in our country,” as the digital newspaper explains. Information after an interview with the INE and its parallel research work.
Progressive aging
The 1 day of October is celebrated on International Day of the Elderly, under the theme "Digital equity for all ages" which, as the United Nations Organization (UN) says, highlights the need for this group of society to have access and meaningful participation in the digital world. In the Networked Aging Report: A Profile of Older Adults in Spain 2020 data can be found that indicates how there are around nine million elderly people which on the total population represent some points above 19%. The average age is 43,3 years, a number that has increased by about 50 points in the last 11 years (in 1970 it was 32,7).
When do we observe the population aging?
When the proportion of elderly people increases and is accompanied by reductions in the proportion of children (mainly those under 15 years of age) and by a decrease in the proportion of people of working age (15 to 59). In this sense, This situation is more noticeable in the rural world, although the largest number of older people are found in cities due to their size. In other words, aging is more evident in towns or small municipalities due to the conditions and work demands they have experienced for years.
Main problems or diseases
The law of life. Older people, due to the wear and tear of their bodies, are the group that more hospital care is needed, mainly due to circulatory (19,8%) and respiratory (17,2%) diseases, followed by digestive and neoplasias. The back also suffers and serious spinal problems often arise, hence the Stenosis is the leading cause of surgery in people over 65 years of age.. This is linked to the fact that 22,2% of people in this age group and older are obese and another 41,5% overweight, this translates into the presence of less healthy lifestyles. As our neurosurgeon Dr. Bernardo Mosqueira points out, equally important, if not more so, is the health care with sports and nutrition that the intervention: “You have to follow healthy habits”.
Following parameters of the National Health Survey of Spain which is handled by the Ministry of Health, we break down the 10 most common geriatric diseases in older people, which we have all heard about. First, arthritis (inflammation of a joint) and Osteoarthritis (cartilage degeneration), followed by diabetes, obesity/malnutrition, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, vision and hearing problems, high blood pressure, heart attack, enlarged prostate and osteoporosis. In addition to these, there is also the ictus and the flu.
If you need a diagnosis or surgery, at Dr. Mosqueira Clinic we put every possible means at your disposal. We always like to inform our patients and friends, and also help them in any way possible. If you would like information about any medical matter or need a consultation with us, do not hesitate to contact us at 951 00 66 38, we will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.
