The “Healthy Aging” panel organized in cooperation with Near East University and Dikmen Municipality was held with the intense participation of the public
The “Healthy Aging” panel organized free of charge at Dikmen Youth Center (DIGEM) in cooperation with the Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences of Near East University and Dikmen Municipality was held with an intense participation. The panel, organized during the Elderly Week, aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle by addressing the issues of healthy aging and public health.
The panel, moderated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Dilan Kırmızı from the Faculty of Dentistry of Near East University, was attended by Dikmen Mayor Yüksel Çelebi and female council members of Dikmen Municipality. Delivering the opening speech of the panel, Dikmen Mayor Yüksel Çelebi emphasized the importance of the event for the people of Dikmen and thanked the Near East University. Çelebi said, “Our cooperation with Near East University makes an important contribution to public health.”
Emphasizing the importance of access to information for a healthy society, Near East University Faculty of Dentistry Event Coordinator Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilan Kırmızı said, “We consider the information transfer that we realize by coming together directly with our people, especially through the collaborations we realize with our municipalities, extremely valuable.” Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilan Kırmızı emphasized that they will continue to organize similar information meetings in the coming days.
Many topics from oral and dental health to nutrition were discussed
In the panel organized with the intense participation of the people of the region, academicians from Near East University provided information on many issues that center on healthy aging. Near East University Faculty of Dentistry Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özay Önöral gave important information about oral and dental health with his presentation “Ways to Protect Oral and Dental Health while Aging”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Önöral said, “With increasing age, wear on tooth surfaces, gingival recession and tooth loss may occur. Prosthetic restorations to replace lost teeth are not a luxury, but a necessity.”
Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hodja discussed the subject of “Fluid Intake and Nutrition in Old Age” and said, “As the age progresses, fluid intake should be increased, fluid loss should be prevented, nutrition should be increased to increase muscle mass and personalized nutrition should be planned under the control of a dietician.” Assoc. Prof. Hoca emphasized that routine malnutrition screenings should be performed in elderly individuals and said, “We do not recommend intermittent fasting for elderly individuals. It is extremely important to plan daily nutrition over 3 main meals.”
Attention to physical activity and sleep!
Drawing attention to the importance of physical activity in the aging process in his presentation, Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation faculty member Uzm. Fzt. Hüseyin Özkader said, “Physical activity should be done every day to exercise different muscle groups. Exercises should be done for warming up, fast-paced walking and then cooling down.” Providing information on sleep problems, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gonca İnanç said, “Sleep quality may decrease with old age. Especially the use of medication and the constant urge to urinate can disrupt sleep quality. It is important to create a suitable environment for a good sleep.”
Keep your mind active!
The last speaker of the panel, Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören from the Near East University Faculty of Medicine, talked about cognitive changes in the aging process. Stating that continuous mental activity is required to prevent forgetfulness during the aging process, Prof. Dr. Özgören said; “Drinking coffee on an empty stomach in the morning can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. An active social life and a healthy diet positively affect mental health. Forgetting some things with aging is a natural process. However, keeping the mind active and adopting healthy living habits contribute to the preservation of cognitive functions in old age.”
