THE RIGHT TO AGE WITH DIGNITY
International Day of Older Persons 2024
This International Day of Older Persons, we're asking David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, to publicly champion the rights of older people everywhere.
Click the button to sign our open letter asking him to make a statement:
When is International Day of Older Persons?
The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) takes place on 1 October every year. Established in 1990 by the United Nations General Assembly, the day aims to raise awareness about the opportunities and challenges arising from population ageing and to mobilise families, communities and stakeholders to address the difficulties older people face.
For Age International, International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to amplify the voices and needs of older people, celebrating their contributions and calling for their rights to be protected.
What is the theme for International Day of Older Persons?
The theme for 2024 is Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.
Despite people everywhere now living longer, too many older people are not able to access or afford health and care that meets even their basic needs, often due to age discrimination. Every person has an equal right to health, decent work, rest and leisure, and to social protection like pensions and benefits. This right doesn’t stop in later life.
The world is changing - by 2050, over 2 billion will be aged 60 and over, with 80% living in low and middle-income countries.
The right to health
The right to health
Despite a globally ageing population, healthcare policy and spending worldwide have neglected older people, and health services aren't equipped to meet their needs. The cost of transport, basic medicines, or being seen by a doctor is often unaffordable.
Without better support, responsibility for caring too often falls on older people - especially older women - who are not given adequate pay, support or recognition for this vital role.
A UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons (a legal framework that could protect older people everywhere) would compel governments to address barriers and strengthen health and care systems.
An exercise group member in Tanzania. Credit: Smith Kimaro / Age International
An exercise group member in Tanzania. Credit: Smith Kimaro / Age International
The majority of deaths from chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and hypertension now occur in low and middle-income countries.
Munyi, 71, Tanzania
Munyi lives in a refugee camp in Tanzania, after fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been supported with his physical and mental wellbeing by our partner organisations.
“Thanks to the exercises we do with HelpAge Tanzania, I can now walk for an entire hour. In the past, before I started the exercises, I couldn't walk at all!
“I am wearing a tracksuit; this tracksuit was given to me by HelpAge, and all my fellow older peers received one as well.
“We all gather to exchange ideas, play various games, and share stories from the past. When we older people gather and interact by discussing historical events, our hearts are truly at peace.”
To hear more of Munyi's story, watch the video below.
The right to safety
The right to safety
Along with the challenges and opportunities presented by a globally ageing population, the world is also facing a climate crisis and growing humanitarian need. Despite this, humanitarian responses are failing older people and overlooking their needs.
Many older people are worried about the climate crisis and want to be part of the conversation. Yet plans to adapt to and prevent emergencies do not take into account older people's years of skills and experience.
The specific risks faced by older people need to be better understood, and their voices heard. A UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons would create obligations to include older people in humanitarian responses.
Farida has her blood pressure taken. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman / DEC
Farida has her blood pressure taken. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman / DEC
By 2030, when governments are supposed to meet Paris Agreement targets on climate change, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over.
Farida, 52, Syria
Farida has been displaced by the conflict in Syria since 2019. In February 2023, the Türkiye-Syria earthquake struck the refugee camp where she lives. Our partner organisation, Hope Revival, was able to ensure she received medical help in the aftermath.
“I spent the last three years in the tent with my husband, Ahmed, and two of my sons lived next to me with their families.
“I spend my days trying to take care of the tent, doing some simple tasks like preparing food, and spending time with my young grandchildren.
“Since the earthquake, the constant stress increased the heart disease I suffer from, and it also increased the diseases my husband suffers from, but given our extreme poverty, health care was not available to us, especially with the distance between the camp and the health centres, and our inability to walk or to secure the cost of transportation.”
A portrait of Farida. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman/DEC
A portrait of Farida. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman/DEC
Farida cooks a meal. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman / DEC
Farida cooks a meal. Credit: Ali Haj Suleiman / DEC
The right to live free from discrimination
The right to live free from discrimination
Ageism is common, and often invisible. Older people experience many barriers to taking part fully in society in their daily lives, and even face violence and abuse.
Yet older people are vital to families and communities. They run businesses, care and provide for younger family members, and share their skills and knowledge with others in the community. Their contributions often go unrecognised.
Human rights conventions have the power to shift perceptions and reframe attitudes, as well as policy. We’re calling on the UK Government to make history and take the lead in championing the creation of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
Almaz walks through a market. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
Almaz walks through a market. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
Globally, 1 in 2 people are ageist against older people.
Almaz, 61, Ethiopia
Even though she is officially retired, Almaz still gives her time to her family and community, volunteering as an unpaid carer.
“The activities which I engage in to provide care for older people and the business, enhance my connection with community members and they appreciate my efforts.
“The community members who have positive feelings about my contributions, encourage me and make me proud of myself. I feel they properly describe me.
“For those who negatively describe me, I do not listen to them, since I believe in what I am doing!”
A portrait of Almaz. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
A portrait of Almaz. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
Almaz makes coffee. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
Almaz makes coffee. Credit: Michael Tsegaye / Age International
Learn more
The advantages of an ageing population
Sarah Harper, Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, discusses the positive impacts of an ageing population.
Building a better world for older people
Age International presents five calls to action the new UK Government can take to create a fairer world for all older people.
The case for a UN Convention
Geraldine Van Bueren QC, one of the original drafters of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, explains why a convention for older persons is necessary.
Photo credits: Title photo - Dave Gill / Age International, Women collecting water - Rajat Agarwal / Age International, Woman being assisted with exercise equipment - Smith Kamaro / Age International, Farida watering plants - Ali Haj Suleiman / DEC, Almaz knitting - Michael Tsegaye / Age International
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