National Wellderly Day

Worldwide, the proportion of people over the age of 60 is increasing faster than any other age group due to increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates. This presents both challenges and opportunities for public health and the socio-economic development of countries. Specifically, increasing demand for both health care and long-term care, requiring a skilled workforce, and creating a need for an elderly-friendly environment in cities and neighborhoods. March 16 of each year is designated as National Wellderly Day, to set aside time to celebrate the health of the elderly around us and to promote healthy initiatives. In addition, National Wellderly Day is a great opportunity to show people different ways of looking at what aging mean, help people have a positive view of aging for the, and help them take steps to promote a healthier, more positive view of aging.

History of National Wellderly Day

Dale Anderson is the founder of National Wellderly Day alongside Act Happy Day. National Wellderly Day was created "in an effort to promote the health benefits of happiness, humor and laughter."

Dr. Anderson suggests that a person start each day by standing in front of a mirror and laughing loudly to set the tone for the day. He says people can do this at any age, even if they are old. In doing so, the elderly will instead be "BETTER". Dr. Anderson even wrote a book called Never Act Your Age, which talks about how humor and laughter can have many health benefits at any age.

As people age, basic abilities (the sum of physical and mental abilities) tend to decline, and illnesses are often chronic and complex. Multimorbidity (having multiple chronic diseases at once) increases with age. However, health systems in many countries are designed to serve young people, with diagnostic and therapeutic services for acute illnesses, so health workers need to be trained and retrained about diseases common in the elderly, such as chronic pain, functional impairment, mental illness, along with other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes

Investing in the elderly can help them continue to contribute more, first of all to their families, to the community or to society at large. The World Health Organization introduces the concept of Healthy Aging through four main areas of intervention: orienting the health system to the needs of the elderly; develop sustainable and equitable health systems for the delivery of long-term care services; build a friendly environment for the elderly; and improving the assessment, monitoring and research of older people's problems.

Observing National Wellderly Day

If you're an elderly person, that doesn't mean you can't be healthy and live a fulfilling life. According to today's holidays, when you live this way into an older age, it means you are "BETTER". According to the creator of this day, the best way to start a new day is to smile in front of the mirror for 15 seconds. Overall, the goal for the day is to put your mind in a good mood right away in the morning, so that the rest of the day is bright, helping you get the job done. Doing things that lift your mood to celebrate the rest of the day. Perhaps you can even read a book written by the author of National Wellderly Day, Never Act Your Age. If you are not a senior, you can celebrate this day as Happy Action Day, which is a similar holiday that can be celebrated by people of all ages.

If you have elderly relatives, encourage them to improve their health and live better every day. You can accompany them on their way to becoming better. Share wellderly day on social media with hashtag #NationalWellderlyDay and positive message to spread this day to everyone.