CEOMA calls for the elimination of the time change

The Spanish Confederation of Seniors’ Organizations (CEOMA) warned this Tuesday, within the framework of the World Health Dayon the adverse effects caused by time change seasonal influence on the physical and emotional health of older people and has advocated for definitive eliminationin favor of a stable schedule for the entire year.

After the recent application of the change to summer time, the association has recalled that this measure can cause alterations in circadian rhythmsaffecting sleep, mood, and physical and cognitive stability. These consequences may be more pronounced in elderly people in fragile situationsas well as those with chronic diseases or cognitive impairment.

As pointed out by the president of CEOMA, José Luis Fernández Santillana, “an apparently slight modification, such as moving the clock forward one hour, can have a significant impact on daily life of many older people, altering their routines, their rest and, in some cases, increasing the risk of falls or disorientation.

The organization has also stressed that these effects are not only limited to the first days after the change, but also can last for weeksespecially in people with less capacity to adapt.

The questioned usefulness of the time change

On the other hand, CEOMA has invited the population to reflect on the real usefulness of this measure, since, although historically it has been linked to energy savings, various recent studies question its effective impact in this area, and to this is added the growing evidence on its negative effects on health.

In this sense, he recalled that the debate on the elimination of the time change is still open at the European level and, therefore, he has asked the organizations in charge for a evaluation of the impact of time change from a public health perspective, specifically incorporating older people.

The president of CEOMA has stressed that, “In an aging society, it is essential that public policies take into account how they affect everyday decisions“For the correct application of these policies, a series of awareness campaigns must be developed aimed at citizens, especially vulnerable groups, on how to progressively adapt to these changes,” he stated.