In addition to the cultural presentations, the event included blood pressure and blood glucose measurement services.

Elderly people of different ages gathered at Pituaçu Metropolitan Park for the ’60+ Active and Healthy Aging’ event held this Friday (25). The program included cultural activities and blood pressure and blood glucose testing services.

The action aimed to raise awareness among society about the importance of elderly care and the promotion of longevity. Present at the event Maria da Glória Cerqueira, 64, has already won 188 medals for participating in street races, including four editions of São Silvestre. She said that she started dedicating herself to the sport in 2014 on a doctor’s recommendation.

“The doctor asked us to go for a walk. When we start walking, we immediately start running a little. I have already participated in four editions of the São Silvestre Race and, with faith in God, I will be there next year”, he declared, confirming the theory of the feasibility of remaining active in old age.

The artistic and cultural presentations were carried out by groups of elderly people from Centros Sociais Urbanos da Liberdade and Nordeste de Amaralina, samba de roda from Centro de Convivência Irmã Dulce dos Pobres, Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce (Osid), and the group of physiotherapy patients at the State Reference Center for Health Care for the Elderly (Creasi).

The activity also led to a chat about ‘Elderly Persons’ Social Security Rights’, which clarified doubts about retirement and other benefits. “This is proof that the articulation of public policies has a fundamental role in promoting care for all Bahian citizens over 60 years of age. Our elderly are here to show that living is worth it and that aging can be healthy”, explained the director of Creasi, Helena Pataro.

Carried out by the Secretariat of Justice and Human Rights (SJDH), the action alludes to the International Day of the Elderly, celebrated on October 1st. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Bahia recorded a 44.1% increase in the number of elderly people, corresponding to almost two million citizens aged 60 or over in the last 10 years.

“The SJDH has guidelines not only to combat the violence that elderly people suffer, but also to talk about active and healthy aging”, declared the superintendent of support and defense of human rights at the SJDH, Trícia Calmon.