INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS
As you are aware that the demographic revolution is underway throughout the world. Today, there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years all over the world- and this number will double by 2025 and will reach two billion by 2050, with the vast majority of older persons in the developing world. In India alone, there are about 125 million senior citizens.
Today, one person in ten is aged 60 or more and by 2050, there will be one person in five and by 2150, this will increase to one in three. In other words, population of aged 60 and above will double from about 10% to 22% between 2000 and 2050. Such a major demographic change presents huge challenges to society and nation in many respects.
In view of this development, General Assembly of U.N.O designated 1st Oct. of every year as the International Day of Older Persons. This day is dedicated to honour, respect and care for the elderly people of the world and also to recognize their contributions to the society and examine issues that affect their lives. Thus International Day of Older Persons aims to create awareness of the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure that people can grow old with dignity and continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights.
Ageism is a widely prevalent and prejudicial attitude that stems from the assumption that age discrimination, and sometimes neglect and abuse of older persons is a social norm and therefore, acceptable. It is a reality in some form in all societies, and finds expression in individuals’ attitude, institutional and policy practices, as well as media representation that devalue and exclude older persons.
The demographic trends are changing family structures very fast. The traditional pyramid in which, there were many youths and few elders, is giving way to the opposite; i.e. one child, two parents and four grandparents. Unfortunately, with the increase in the population and longevity, their problems are also multiplying.
Some of the problems faced by the elderly are:--
- Health problem & physical dependence
- Financial constraints & financial dependence
- Emotional & psychological problems i.e. emotional dependence.
- Feeling lonely, isolated and neglected causing frustration
- Mental tension leading to hypertension and heart problem .
- Self -defeating and Self-condemning thoughts i.e. lack of self confidence.
- Lack of opportunities to utilize their knowledge and expertise.
- Physical and mental inactiveness i.e lack of physical and mental engagements.
PHOTO
GALLERY -
International
Day of Older Person on 13th October, 2019 at Mehsana
International
Day of Older Person on 7th October, 2018 at Mumbai
International
Day of Older Person on 7th October, 2017 at Vadodara
International Day of Older Person on 1st October,
2016, Dehradun
International Day of Older Person
on 3rd October, 2015) at New Delhi
Celebration
of International Day of Older Person on 18th October,
2014, Ankleshwar
Celebration
of International Day of Older Person on 6th October,
2013, Dehradun
Celebration
of International Day of Older Person on 1st October,
2012, Ahemdabad
Celebration
of International Day of Older Person on 1st October,
2011, Mumbai
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