International day of older person activities and their problems
International day of older person activities and their problems as an older person have always played an important role in society as leaders, caretaker and custodians of tradition. However, they are also more prone to chronic diseases and their complications, with declining functional abilities, disability and the negative effects of discrimination.
As health care improves, so does the older person population. Their needs are also growing, as is their contribution to the world. International day of older person activities, celebrated on the first of October every year, is an opportunity to highlight the significant contribution that older people make to society and to raise awareness on the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today's world.
History of the International Day of Older person activities
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st as International Day of Older Persons (Resolution 45/106). This was preceded by programs such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, which was approved by the World Assembly on World Aging in 1982 and the UN General Assembly the following year.
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for the Older Persons (Resolution 46/91). In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Aging approved the Madrid International Plan on Aging to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote community development for all ages.
Demographic transition of older persons
The composition of the world population has changed significantly in recent decades. Between 1950 and 2010, life expectancy worldwide increased from 46 to 68 years. Worldwide, in 2019 there will be 703 million Older Persons aged 65 or over. East and Southeast Asia have the highest number of Older Persons (261 million), followed by Europe and North America (over 200 million).
Over the next three decades, the number of older people worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion by 2050. All regions will see an increase in the size of Older Persons between 2019 and 2050. The largest increase (312 million) is expected to occur in East and Southeast Asia, up from 261 million in 2019 to 573 million in 2050.
The number of Older Persons in North Africa and West Asia is expected to grow rapidly, from 29 million to 20 million in 2019 by 2050 (an increase of 226 percent). The second-fastest growth is projected in sub-Saharan Africa, where the Older person population aged 65 or over will increase from 32 million in 2019 to 101 million (218 percent) in 2050. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand (84%) and Europe and North America (48%) are estimated to have very small populations, with populations already significantly older than the rest of the world.
Among the development groups, the least developed countries, excluding the least developed ones, will be home to two-thirds (1.1 billion) of the world's Older person population by 2050. However rapid growth is expected to occur in less developed countries, where the number of Older Persons aged 65 or over will increase from 37 million in 2019 to 120 million (225%) in 2050.
The share of the United Nations-India population in the age group of 60 years or older is projected to increase to about 20% by 2050, and the nation says that equipping Older Persons will help them stay healthy and participate throughout the ageing process.
Objectives of the International Day of Older Persons
- Age to shed light on this age and their health needs
- Raising awareness on the Rights of Older Persons and the importance of health care
- Describing the relevant authorities for all categories of the Older Persons
- Spreading a healthy ageing culture among members of the community and Older Persons
- Support for joint care between all bodies associated with Older person ageing
Official Date
Worldwide: October 1, 2020.
The theme of International Day of Older Persons
The theme on international day of older Persons 2020 is “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”
The 2020 observance promotes the decade of healthy ageing (2020-2030) and helps bring together UN experts, civil society, government and the health profession to discuss the five strategic goals of the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health. Global Strategy is well integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but the ageing issues have reduced 17 goals, most notably Goal 3, which aims to "ensure healthy living and promote the well-being of all ages". Take note of the progress and challenges in its implementation. The global strategy is well integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while ageing issues cut across all 17 goals, especially Goal 3, which aims to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all in all ages ".
The 2020 theme aims to:
- Inform participants of the strategic goals for the Decade of Healthy Aging.
- Raise awareness about the special health needs of older people and their contributions to their own health and to the functioning of the societies in which they live.
- Increase awareness and appreciation of the role of healthcare personnel in maintaining and improving the health of older people, with special attention to the nursing profession.
- Present proposals to reduce health disparities between older people in developed and developing countries, to “Leave no one behind”.
- Increase understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on older people and its impact on health care policies, planning, and attitudes.
COVID-19 and Older Persons
The year 2020 engravings the 75th remembrance of the United Nations and the 30th celebration of the International Day of Older Persons. This year also saw the rise of COVID-19, which led to a worldwide uprising. Considering the high risks faced by the elderly during an epidemic such as COVID-19, policy and programmatic interventions should be targeted to raise awareness on their specific needs. It is also important to recognize the contribution of Older Persons to their own health and the multiple roles they play in the readiness and response stages of the current and future epidemic.
This year is marked as the "Year of the Nurse and Midwife". With a special focus on the nursing profession and a primary focus on the role of women in contributing to geriatric health - highlighting the role of health care employees in 2020 is relatively underestimated and in most cases geriatric health Inadequate compensation.
Problems of Older Persons
Old age is a natural process. In many countries, this phenomenon has been considered serious attention by government policymakers. There are a growing number of Older Persons who have to realize that there are many serious problems later related to the situation. India is facing various challenges in the form of weak economic growth, a weak pension system and no infrastructure for the elderly and above all, the lack of political will makes the life of the elderly in India miserable. The problems of ageing usually appear after the age of 65. At this age, Older Persons face medical, economic, social and psychological problems.
Medical problem
Health problems are supposed to be the main concern of society, as Older Persons are more likely to suffer from health problems than younger age groups. It is often claimed that older people are accompanied by multiple physical illnesses and ailments. There is a lack of adequate medical care and family care, as well as insufficient public health services to meet the health needs of the elderly.
Poor health due to old age is compounded by the unavailability of good-quality, age-sensitive health care for a large proportion of older people in the country. Furthermore, poor accessibility to health services, lack of information, and high costs of disease management make reasonable care for Older Persons, out of reach for Older Persons, especially those who are poor and disadvantaged.
In addition to physical illness, Older Persons are more likely to be victims of poor mental health. Decreased mental capacity makes them dependent. Due to the generation gap, young people do not need their suggestions and advice. Instead of developing a caring attitude towards the elderly, they begin to assert their rights and power. This can create a feeling of deprivation of your dignity and importance.
Economic problems
Older Persons face several challenges and one of the most important is the problem of financial insecurity. The dependency ratio of Older Persons is increasing and is projected to increase steadily, with a higher proportion from rural areas than urban ones. Older Persons, widowed, poor and disabled are the most disadvantaged among the elderly population.
Retirement from service generally results in a loss of income and the pensions received by the elderly are often inadequate to cover the ever-increasing cost of living. Old age is a period of physical decline and social alienation in some cases, loss of spouse, friends, job, property and physical appearance. In old age physical strength deteriorates, mental stability declines, financial power becomes bleak, and eyesight suffers a setback. It is a period of disappointment, gloom, sickness, regret, and loneliness.
Social problems
Sociologically, ageing marks a form of transition from one set of social roles to another, and such roles are difficult. However, in modern society, improved education, rapid technological changes and new forms of organization have often made Older person experience of knowledge and wisdom obsolete. Once they retire, older people find that their children are not following their advice. This realization often results in a sense of loss of status, worthlessness, and loneliness. If older people are financially dependent on children, the problem is likely to get even worse.
Older Persons suffer great social losses with age. Their social life is restricted by the loss of associated work, the death of family, friends and spouse and poor health that restricts their participation in social activities. The home becomes the centre of their social life, which is limited to interpersonal relationships with family members. Due to the loss of most of the social roles they once held, they are likely to feel lonely and isolated, severe chronic health problems allow them to become socially isolated, resulting in loneliness and depression.
Psychological problems
The common psychological problems that Older people experience are feeling of helplessness, feeling of inferiority, depression, worthlessness, isolation and reduced competition. With age, Older Persons experience various anatomical and psychological changes. These changes bring many psychological, behavioural and attitude changes in them.
Domestic problems
Housing for the Older Persons must be adequate not only to the standard of living that they have established with optimal health, but also to deteriorating health conditions and disease, commonly associated with later years of life, such as vision problems, hearing, slowness and sudden surges in energy, decreased energy, and more acute disabilities such as blindness, forgetfulness, etc. With age, a common complaint of many elderly people is the feeling of loneliness and the sense of isolation.
In most cases, the families or communities in which older people live enforce isolation on purpose. Changes in lifestyles and values, work culture, various means of distraction such as the Internet, television, social changes such as nuclear family structures and the redefinition of priorities have led to greater abandonment of people older by families or communities, and with this isolation comes into play. With him, the housing problem reappears. Not only is it a terrible thing, but it also leads to bad quality of life.
How to observe the international day of Older Persons
Talk with an older person: If we take the time to get to know an older person, even someone from our own family, we may see them from a new perspective and learn something about ourselves in the process.
Volunteer your time: Much can be done to make life easier for older people. Learn about organizations in your area that work with older people and see what you can do to help.
Become an advocate: The United Nations says that "greater attention is clearly required to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people." It is important to recognize that, as the United Nations puts it, "essential contributions that older men and women can make to the functioning of society."
Government of India and Older Persons
As part of its commitment to Older Persons, the Government of India's National Program of Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) provides a range of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services for people over the age of 60. The main objective of the NPHCE program is to provide different, specialized and comprehensive health care to older persons at different levels, including access to services at different levels of the state healthcare delivery system. GOI also offers benefits to the elderly such as health insurance plans, tax exemptions, and concessions in rail and airfares.
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