Cuba to Host International Conference on Aging

Cuba to Host International Conference on AgingHavana, May 4. -The XVIII International Conference on the Care of the Elderly to take place next May 5-7 in this capital, will deal with the elderly care, a more active aging, productive and happy, Cuba's News Agency published.

According to Aida Mustelier, chief of the Public Relations of Research Center on Aging, Longevity and Health, professionals and gerontologists from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Cuba will take part in this event.

Among the topics of the meeting are; long-term care, systems of care based on communitarian work, management of disability, informal assistance and long-stay institutions.

Tomorrow will take place pre-conference workshops on palliative care for patients with cancer and on nursing care of elderly, in which nurses from the New York will participate, Mustelier said.

Cuba has a comprehensive program of elderly assistance applicable at all levels, including not only health but also social security, sports, culture and legislation, which has made possible to achieve a life expectancy of almost 80 years for its population.

At present more than 17 percent of the inhabitants is 60 years or older and it is expected by 2025 to involve a quarter of the population, the National Statistics Office stated.

It has therefore been a priority of the Revolution, the humanist approach to socialist society and the differentiated services provided to the most needy population groups.(Prensa Latina)