International Day of Older Persons

Event Details:

2022 Theme: The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women

The composition of the world population has changed dramatically in recent decades. Between 1950 and 2010, life expectancy worldwide rose from 46 to 68 years. Globally, there were 703 million persons aged 65 or over in 2019. The region of Eastern and South-Eastern Asia was home to the largest number of older persons (261 million), followed by Europe and Northern America (over 200 million).

Over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050.

A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families, but also for societies as a whole. Additional years provide the chance to pursue new activities such as further education, a new career or pursuing a long neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities. Yet the extent of these opportunities and contributions depends heavily on one factor: health.

– United Nations

Ideas for Workplaces:

To recognise this event…

Hold a morning tea in your workplace, in which your team members can invite older family members or seniors in the community to celebrate and listen to their stories, wisdoms and perspective on things.

Furthermore, offer the older guests some one-on-one support in learning anything they might need help with i.e. using mobile phones, computers, the internet, Wifi etc.

To keep these connections going, you could establish a lunchtime walking group (perhaps once a week or fortnight) with the older people that your workplace has fostered a relationship with.