Global health. The current scenario and future perspectives

244 distant category unrelated to our own experience. This reluctance to confront age is an example of the defense mechanism Freud called “denial“, which distorts reality and hinders us from facing and resolving challenges. It is crucial for individuals to recognize the reality of aging and plan for their extended longevity. Quality of life, family coexistence and the health of older adults can significantly improve when we acknowledge that living 80 or 90 productive and healthy years depends largely on how we motivate, value and provide opportunities for them to update and train themselves, stay active and live integrated and valued lives in their old age. As individuals age, they may experience a loss of independence due to illness, injuries or chronic conditions. Despite these physical limitations, individuals can keep autonomy in decision-making. Even if someone needs assistance to get dressed, they can still make decisions about what they want to wear. Maintaining relationships and social communication is as important as physical capacity. People who retain their autonomy have the right to make decisions related to their health, care and daily life. It is essential to focus on the rights, rather than just the needs, of older adults. This is not only logical but also an ethical duty. While it is important to address their needs, it is vital to prioritize their human rights. In many societies, youth is highly valued while old age is often seen as burdensome, which leads to discrimination and disadvantage for older adults. This discrimination manifests itself in various ways, including limited access to services, education and job opportunities as well as abuse, neglect and societal exclusion. These violations of older adults’ rights are common and place them among the most vulnerable groups in society. It is important to recognize and address discrimination, which often stems from insecurity, fear or ignorance. Access to rights can be limited for older adults who face frailty, disease, inability or isolation and see their capacity to exercise their rights and make decisions reduced. For instance, if information is only available online and an older adult cannot access a computer or lacks the necessary skills, their rights may be compromised. Older adults need to be able to develop basic digital skills to avoid social marginalization, and interventions using information technologies can help reduce this isolation (Chen & Schulz, 2016). The perspective and course of active aging