Editorial
The International Day of Older Persons is a significant occasion to celebrate the contributions and achievements of older people in various fields of human endeavour, as well as to raise awareness and challenge the negative stereotypes and discrimination that they face in many societies. The following paragraphs will critically evaluate the significance of this day from different perspectives.
From a human rights perspective, the International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to reaffirm older persons’ universal and inalienable rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments. It also highlights the challenges and violations that older persons encounter in accessing their rights, such as poverty, social exclusion, abuse, neglect, violence, and lack of adequate health care and social protection. By promoting the theme of “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations” in 2023, the United Nations aims to foster intergenerational solidarity and cooperation to ensure that older persons can fully enjoy their dignity and human rights in all aspects of life.
From a demographic perspective, the International Day of Older Persons is a reminder of the unprecedented and irreversible population ageing trend affecting virtually every country in the world. According to the United Nations Population Fund, people aged 60 and older accounted for 12.3 per cent of the global population in 2015, and by 2050, that number will rise to almost 22 per cent. This phenomenon poses significant opportunities and challenges for development, as it requires adapting policies and programs to meet the diverse and changing needs and aspirations of older persons and harnessing their potential as active agents of social and economic progress.
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From a health perspective, the International Day of Older Persons is a call to action to address the physical and mental health issues that affect older persons, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has disproportionately impacted them. According to the World Health Organization, older persons are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and depression, that affect their quality of life and well-being. Moreover, older persons are often subject to ageism, a form of discrimination based on negative attitudes and stereotypes about ageing and older people. Ageism can harm the health outcomes and self-esteem of older persons and limit their access to health care and social services. Therefore, combating ageism and promoting healthy ageing for older persons is imperative through preventive measures, early detection, treatment, maintenance, and support.
Lastly, the International Day of Older Persons is a significant occasion to recognize the diversity, resilience, and wisdom of older persons around the world and advocate for their rights, inclusion, and empowerment in society. It is also a time to reflect on how we can create a more age-friendly and intergenerational world that values and respects older persons as equal partners in development.
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