Traditional medicine for the elderly

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- In the context of an aging population, caring for and improving the health of the elderly has become a crucial task. Recently, healthcare facilities in the province have increasingly focused on promoting the effectiveness of traditional medicine in disease prevention and treatment, and rehabilitation for the elderly.

The province currently has over 104,300 elderly people, an increase of more than 8,500 compared to 2024. This has led to a growing number of people suffering from diseases such as spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis, stroke, hemiplegia, insomnia, and general weakness. While the elderly often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation, prolonged use of Western medicine can easily lead to side effects and high costs. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is increasingly asserting its important role in the healthcare of the elderly.

Elderly people are treated with acupuncture at the Provincial General Hospital.

Mr. Nong Ngoc Tang, Chairman of the Provincial Association of Elderly People, said: In recent years, the associations at all levels have coordinated with the health sector to promote propaganda and mobilize members to raise awareness of health care, encouraging the elderly to access and use appropriate traditional medicine methods. The application of traditional medicine not only contributes to reducing treatment costs but is also suitable for the physical condition of the elderly, helping to improve the quality of life and live happily, healthily, and usefully.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts between the Elderly Association at all levels and the health sector, the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the healthcare of the elderly in the province has been increasingly expanded and has proven to be highly effective. At hospitals, health centers, and health stations, methods such as acupuncture, massage, acupressure, and herbal medicine are applied flexibly and appropriately to each individual. In particular, the combination of TCM with modern medicine in diagnosis and treatment has yielded positive results, especially for common chronic diseases among the elderly.

According to Dr. Bui Thi Man, Director of the Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital, currently, elderly people account for over 60% of the total number of patients seeking examination and treatment at the hospital. Each year, the hospital receives approximately 2,000 elderly patients for treatment of various ailments using a combination of traditional and modern medicine. In treatment, the hospital focuses on using traditional herbal remedies and non-drug techniques such as acupuncture, massage, acupressure, and thread embedding, combined with rehabilitation… As a result, most elderly patients experience reduced pain, restored mobility, improved health, and enhanced quality of life.

At the Traditional Medicine Department of the Provincial General Hospital, the department receives an average of 40-60 inpatients and outpatients daily, with the elderly accounting for over 70% of the total. Given that the elderly often suffer from multiple illnesses simultaneously, have weakened immune systems, and may not respond well to prolonged treatment with Western medicine, the department has intensified the integration of traditional medicine methods to improve treatment effectiveness.

These methods not only focus on reducing pain symptoms, but also impact blood circulation, support mobility recovery, improve sleep, and enhance the overall health of patients.

Ms. Hoang Thi Doan (born in 1958), from Ban Chuc village, Hoang Van Thu commune, a patient currently receiving treatment at the Traditional Medicine Department of the Provincial General Hospital, shared: "Previously, I frequently suffered from joint pain, making it difficult to walk, and many nights I lost sleep due to the pain. After half a month of acupuncture, massage, and acupressure treatments, my health has improved significantly. My limbs are less numb and tired, I can walk more easily, and my spirits are much higher than before. What reassures me is that the treatment methods are quite gentle, suitable for elderly people like me, and the cost is reasonable, so I can persevere with the treatment for a long time."

As can be seen, in the context of an increasingly evident aging population, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) continues to affirm its important role in the healthcare of the elderly. To meet the growing healthcare needs of the elderly, relevant agencies need to continue investing in infrastructure, improving the quality of human resources, and promoting the integration of TCM with modern medicine, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of treatment, rehabilitation, and quality of life for the elderly.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/y-hoc-co-truyen-cho-nguoi-cao-tuoi-5091034.html