The Cuban elders are protected by a series of laws that guarantee their health, housing, multifactorial attention, suitable feeding and other edges more needed by the members of this age bracket.

These men and women who are over 60 years old have their retirement assured and they can even be hired to keep on delivering to the society their knowledge and experiences.

The aging is a world phenomenon that in the 21st century shows characteristics very different from the existing ones in the previous century. The elders confined in his houses, foreign to the exterior reality stay in the memory.

The modernity of the current society of Cuba allows these persons an integration to the life along with the rest of the population, beyond the well-worn image of the grandfather who does errands and takes the grandchildren to the school.

It is common to see them in theaters, movies, restaurants, and other places of recreation or diversion, reality that shows the quality of life of this social segment.

The control of their health, the means to rehabilitate the proper ailments of aging, and the mental capacity assure their movements inside and out of the villages and cities where they reside.

With their white hair, slow steps and languid looks the elders of this country live happily, and enjoy their old age deservers of the biggest of the social respect.

These persons founded their families, raised their children, and brought many years of work to the society, now placid and calm they prepare to live through the time that they have left.

For the most vulnerable ones, there are places where specialists take care of them, either at full-time or only for the day, where they receive the attention that they need, while their children or other progeny work.

But there are still pending matters that we must bear in mind to dignify completely the Cuban old age, especially in Villa Clara, territory that at present 21, 9 per cent of its population is 60 years old or more.

In the surrounding areas to the Grandfather's Houses, Old folks' homes or other facilities specializing in this age bracket, there must be placed signs that indicate the drivers and pedestrians the elders' transit in the area.

This decision would allow the drivers to maximize the care, because the elderly walk very slowly, generally they do not see well and the life has reduced rapidity to their reactions.

The town-planning rehabilitation of the Island constitutes a reality, and this way in the cities and villages with major transport flow there are established zebras, semaphores and other accesories that regulate the traffic and protect the passers-by.

But not always there is respect towards the "grandfather" who with slowness crosses the street, it is common to listen how some disrespectful chauffeurs touch the horns of their cars indicating to the elder to hurry their already tired steps, attitude that must be sanctioned.

The use of canes, Zimmer frames or other implements that help the locomotion are common at this age, therefore sometimes, it turns out to be very difficult to them or they cannot gain access to certain places because the architectural barriers prevent it.

The Cuban society must create a culture towards the old age that assures the respect and the vouchsafing of the long-lived ones in all the ambiences of life.

From memorable times, the different civilizations have venerated them, on this matter José Martí said: "There is nothing more beautiful than to love the elders; the respect is the most sweet pleasure”.

Neither the new technologies, nor the newest ways of thinking and of doing can replace the wealth of knowledge and feelings of the patriarchs of the families and hence of the society.

To honor them is a duty of all the honest persons, to stretch the arm in the street, to offer to them a seat, to protect them before adverse situations, it must be a healthy obligation, they helped to construct what the rest of the population enjoys.

Moreover … it is very realistic that someday those who today walk fast with rapid looks and strong voices, without time to attend the elderly and to spoil them, will feel on their shoulders the weight of the years, and will need this warm love that makes noble the one who receives it but also the person who gives it.

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez