Kinshasa, September 14th, 2025 (CPA).- The physical activity has been presented as one of the pillars of active and healthy ageing by the president of the Union of Physiotherapists of Congo during an interview on Sunday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ‘We recommend physical activity as one of the pillars of active and healthy ageing. The other pillars include a balanced diet, preventing falls at home, maintaining social ties, involving families and public policies,’ has declared Felicitee Boloss, president of the Union of Physiotherapists of Congo (UKC).
‘Never stop moving. If you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving forward,’ has added the specialist. She has recalled some figures from 2024, published by the WHO and INSEE, on ageing and falls. « With regard to ageing, 13% of the world’s population is over 60 (more than 1 billion people). In Africa, 6% of the population (approximately 80 million senior citizens) is growing rapidly. In DRC, approximately 5% of the population (4.5 million senior citizens) is growing regularly. As for falls, one-third of people over the age of 65 fall at least once a year; 50% of those over the age of 80 experience an annual fall; and 20% of falls result in serious injuries (fractures, trauma), » she has explained.
Ms Boloss explains that issues related to ageing include cardiovascular and metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological and cognitive complications, as well as psychosocial aspects (dependence, isolation, depression, stress), not to mention limited access to healthcare. She has also indicated that the government, healthcare professionals (doctors, physiotherapists, and nurses), the community and families are key players involved in the care of older people (senior citizens). According to her, the physiotherapist’s role in this care consists of preventing and maintaining independence, preventing falls, providing rehabilitation and functional recovery, managing age-related chronic pain and ensuring psychosocial support. The World Physiotherapy Day has been celebrated on September 8th under the theme: ‘Active and healthy ageing’, it it is remembered.