Ana Canga Armayor. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first day of October as the "International Day of Older Persons", representing a unique opportunity to assess the potential impact of the demographic revolution on societies and to develop appropriate strategies and policies to meet the new challenges of building a "society for all ages".

This year's theme is "Enhancing the Quality of Life of Older Persons: Advancing United Nations Global Strategies".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently around 600 million people over the age of 60. This figure could double by 2025 and reach almost two billion by 2050. Most of them will live in developing countries development. This demographic evolution means that states are considering the need for a new social recognition of the elderly: that the cultural, human and social heritage they represent for society as a whole should be valued and that social and healthcare policies should respond to the needs of the elderly by providing holistic care.

In our world, the elderly will play an increasingly important role, through the voluntary work , the transmission of their experience and knowledge; and the place they occupy within the family nucleus. They can contribute to all this until the last years of their lives if they are in good health and live in an environment of tolerance and respect.

Therefore, it is the right and obligation of all societies to offer social support to this group, which has a positive influence on the well-being and life satisfaction of the elderly, increasing their self-esteem. In this sense, the core topic lies in knowing how to take advantage of their potential as a basis for the development of future societies; with policies and programs that improve their capacity, guarantee them independence, support and adequate care as they age.

This is where nursing professionals occupy a fundamental position. Our relationship with people and their families allows us to intervene closely to respond to their needs throughout the life cycle, guiding, guiding and accompanying them throughout their life journey; showing special attention to the most vulnerable population groups and collaborating with other social and health professionals through interrelated activities.

Nursing also works for health promotion, disease prevention, aims to promote autonomy, as well as the full and active participation of the elderly in society. Nursing professionals have the necessary skills to promote healthy habits and thus prevent the onset of diseases from an individual and collective point of view.

We believe that nursing care should be aimed at providing safe and effective holistic care, appropriate to ethical values and principles that respect the dignity of the elderly, promoting the principles of participation, self-realization, independence, care and dignity of the elderly. Likewise, our duty is to stop all subject of discrimination against the elderly and to avoid social habits that lead to negative attitudes towards them. As already recognized by the WHO in 1998, aging is an integral and natural part of life and a privilege and achievement of society.

Nursing today has a strategic position and the ability to make a qualitative difference in health care for this population thanks to the profession's development .

It is worth highlighting the contribution that nursing can make to propose new policies and direct the care of the elderly. It should not be forgotten that policies should be implemented from prevention at the earliest ages so that the whole life cycle of the person develops in the best possible way and in optimal conditions. This will favor an active and successful aging.

As nurses we can and should ensure that people not only live longer, but also better, richer and fuller lives, thus improving their quality of life.

Ana Canga Armayor (Professor of Geriatric Nursing)