The International Day of Older Persons, is commemorated on 1 October each year, to raise public awareness about the opportunities and challenges with ageing populations and to mobilize the families, community groups and stakeholders to address the difficulties faced by older people.

This year’s theme,  ‘Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide’ encourages the governments, policy makers and social services across the world for a concerted and sustained action to address the physical, social, psychological and health needs of older persons. The commemoration also underscores the importance of promoting healthy living conditions for elderly that respect the dignity, beliefs, needs, and privacy of older persons, and for the right to make decisions about their care and quality of their lives.

Based on the latest projections by the United Nations, the number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) will be tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from approximately 10% to 17%. It is further projected that by 2050, the number of individuals aged 65 years or above across the world will be twice the number of children under age 5 and almost equivalent to the number of children under 12 years. Due to the female advantage in life expectancy, women outnumber men at older ages in almost all populations and will expect preponderance of females in the future.

Many elderly people around the world are honored for their past and present contributions to their families and communities.  Unfortunately, some elderly persons face life with very little access to the basic necessities—shelter, food, clothing, companionship and healthcare.  On this day we are called to engage with elderly persons, listening to their life stories, learning from their experiences, gleaning their wisdom, nurturing their wellbeing, assisting them in any way we can, and walking with them in this phase of their life’s journey. 

Holy One, bless those in our midst who are elderly.  Help us all to treasure each person’s contributions to the building up of peace and love in our world.  Help us to learn the lessons that life presents and to share these stories with one another.  For those elderly who are alone, neglected, abandoned or ill, grant them the gift of at least one person who is willing to reach out to them in love.  For the elderly who continue to gift us with their creativity, listening ear, sound advice and wise council, fill them with joy, love and peace.