International Day of Older Persons 2024 – Check Timeline, Significance & Importance of the Day

The presence of older adults in our lives is a blessing for us all. Senior citizens can be present around us as family members (parents and grandparents), friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and more. For most of us, the endless storytelling sessions in our childhood in the lap of our grandparents are etched forever. The elderly are people with more experience and wisdom from whom we can gain knowledge and inspiration in life. They are also people who can guide us through the unknown dangers.

However, due to our busy schedules to earn a livelihood, our elderly usually get ignored, and we realise their absence after their demise. This is why an event like International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on the first day of October.

The Timeline of Events for Initiating International Day for the Elderly

1948: The U.N. endorsed the said event for the elderly. The U.N. stated that it is the right of every human being to have full and equal enjoyment, including older persons.

1982: The global community highlighted the condition of older persons by approving the UN global assembly on senior citizens.

1990: The U.N. adopted 1st October as the International Day of Older Persons and observed the first World Elders Day on 1 October 1991.

Things to do to Observe International Elders Day 

Here are some ways in which we can contribute to the cause of the elderly:

1. Give time to an older person on the Old Age Day:

Older people need some of our time and attention. So, talk to the elderly, and share views with them, sip a cup of tea together whenever possible. Don’t ignore older people in your family. If you communicate with them, you will learn something new each time.

2. Volunteer by giving your time to the cause of the elderly:

When you are young and healthy, you can do a lot to improve the lives of older people. There is so much to be done in this field. Several NGOs are already working towards the cause. You can look for one such non-profit firm in your area and volunteer with them to serve older adults.

3. Become an advocate of the cause:

The challenges faced by the elderly, as well as their needs, require enhanced attention. So, we must recognize the contributions of the older generation in improving the functioning of society.

4.  Bestow the elderly in the family with the best gift of health insurance: 

On this day, you can gift the elderly members of your family with a senior citizen health insurance policy to cover them against the expenses of healthcare costs, which they find difficult to bear.

Why is it Important to Embrace Aging?

There are several reasons why one should embrace ageing gladly. Here are some of them:

1. ​Longevity of life has improved:

The average expectancy of life globally has enhanced. According to the United Nations, it has gone from 46 years in 1950 to 68 years in 2010. It is soon likely to go up to 81 years. This is mainly because of advancements in medical sciences and superior medical treatment facilities.

2. The population of elderly worldwide is increasing:

​As per a report, there are over 900 million elderly people in the world who are above 60 years of age. This is likely to be over 2 billion by 2050. This will make it almost 22% of the world’s population, which is likely to be more than the number of children in the globe.

3. The elderly are the happy people:

A study says that people are really happy in their youth and their old age. Middle age is reported to be the most unhappy phase of people’s life.

4. ​Improved physical satisfaction:

Generally, older women are less involved in physical intimacy during their old age than when they were young. However, research has shown that physical satisfaction among women improves with age.

Why is it Significant to Observe International Day for the Elderly?

1. Senior citizens deserve attention and respect:

Older people bring us many beautiful things like love, care, and concern. So, can’t we set a day aside to make them feel wanted or to value their presence? On this day, let us remind ourselves to be kind to the elderly, and to spend time with them.

2. It is a way to teach the young about the concerns of older people:

The International Day for Older People is a way to make the youth understand the issues faced by the elderly. The physical and mental torture and deterioration that they go through.

3. Younger people don’t know everything:

With age, one becomes self-aware and wise. Though the young may know much, concentrating on the trials faced by the older generation makes them aware that much is there to learn about the world.

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To sum up

The International Day of Older People is a holiday observed every year on October 1. The day was established on December 14, 1990, by the UN General Assembly and was observed for the first time on 1 October 1991. All the UN member states observe the day.

The world geriatric day is observed to celebrate the presence of loving and caring old people who surround us. This is the day to promise to ensure the health and safety of these people. If you have elderly parents or grandparents at home, you can care for them, secure their health with a health insurance policy, and love them unconditionally.

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