Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and Balçova Municipality signed an exemplary collaboration and organized the '60nd Healthy Aging Symposium' for individuals over the age of 2 living in the district. Approximately 100 members of Balçova Municipality Mature Youth Center attended the symposium; information was provided on various topics such as ways for older individuals to stay healthy and fit, how to do the right physical activity and methods for delaying cognitive aging.
The Healthy Aging Symposium, organized for the second time this year as part of Respect for the Elderly Week, was hosted by Izmir University of Economics. The opening speeches of the symposium, which was attended by elderly individuals as well as academics and students, were made by IUE Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Filiz Öğce Aktaş and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department Head Dr. Faculty Member Barış Gürpınar.
“THE BEST MEDICINE IS EXERCISE”
Following the remarkable speech of Dokuz Eylül University (DEÜ) Faculty of Dentistry Lecturer Fatma Akkoca, who explained the problems that may occur in the mouth with aging and the methods of protection against these problems, IUE Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Lecturer Burcu Ece Korkmaz also made a presentation titled 'Physiotherapy in Temporomandibular Joint Problems' in the second session of the program. Korkmaz, who provided information to individuals over the age of 60 on topics such as factors that cause chewing disorders in the jaw, mouth-jaw exercises, the relationship between the jaw joint and physiotherapy, and posture correcting exercises, said, “Exercise is the best medicine; therefore, regular exercise is a must. Sufficient and quality sleep, balanced and sufficient nutrition, and stress control are other important factors for the health of the jaw joint.”
IUE Nursing Department Lecturer Emine Sezgünsay provided educational information about the conditions that impair oral health, basic oral care, and points to be considered in prosthesis care in her presentation titled 'Aging and Oral Care'. DEU Faculty of Medicine Geriatrics Department Head Prof. Dr. Ahmet Turan Işık emphasized the importance of movement in his presentation titled 'Stay Young in Mind and Body', drawing attention to the fact that diseases increase with age. The information provided by DEU Geriatrics Department Lecturer Prof. Dr. Derya Kaya on ways to protect brain health while aging attracted great interest.
“THE RATE OF AGING CAN BE SLOWED DOWN”
Expert Physiotherapist Çisil Çimenli from Balçova Municipality Mature Youth Center, drew attention to the fact that the World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of regular exercise per week and said that this period can be easily done by spreading it throughout the week. Stating that it is possible to slow down the speed of aging by increasing physical activities and doing regular exercise, Çimenli made recommendations on this subject. Stating that they have opened many physical and mental courses for citizens over the age of 60 to age actively at the Mature Youth Center established by Balçova Municipality, Çimenli said, “We have 400 members in our center. We start the day with yoga and exercise in the mornings. We do breathing exercises. We have foreign language courses. Each course is given by experts in the field. If our members do not come, we do not delete their records, but we take attendance. Because we want them to come to our center with a university awareness. At the end of the course, they will receive a graduation certificate from us and they will also throw their caps. Whatever university students do, our members will do the same.”
