Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, specifically the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, conducted a public health action with physiotherapy students on 15 October. The action, titled 'Physiotherapy students and retirees together for active and healthy ageing', was held at the faculty and brought together retirees and older people.
During the action, retirees and older people were educated on healthy living in the third age. The action was led by professors Ivan Veber and Meri Reali, with the latter serving as an assistant at the faculty.
The initiative was driven by the results of a thesis by Marija Šramek, a local from Orahovića, who researched the quality of life of older people in the area of Orahovića. The results of the survey indicated a need to pay more attention to the health, daily functioning, and needs of local residents. The survey included 153 people aged 61 to 93, who completed a questionnaire independently. The results showed that the lowest average score was recorded in the area of limitations in daily functioning due to physical difficulties.
Marija Šramek spent her entire education, from kindergarten to university, in Orahovića. She chose the topic of the quality of life related to the health of older people in the area of Orahovića due to the local context. The goal of the faculty is to connect the knowledge students acquire with the concrete needs of the community.
Educational lectures on active ageing, psychological and social health, as well as physical exercises tailored to retirees, were prepared for the retirees. Local retirees were delighted with the action, stating that they had learned a great deal. They particularly highlighted the meetings and noted that the students and the faculty had left the door open for any future needs.
