Introduction:
The older persons have various contributions to the community, through their volunteer activities and knowledge transfer to other generation, based on their accumulated experiences in life. The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the joys and challenges of aging in today’s world. In 2012, the number of people aged 60+ exceeded 600 million. By 2062, their number is expected to be 2 billion.
Health Messages:
- Senescence is an unstoppable, undelayable and unpreventable biological process.
- Aging is not a disease. Simple care can help avoid a lot of its related challenges and incidents.
- You should practice daily physical exercises, avoid laying down most of the time, and walk.
- You should follow a balanced diet and keep ideal boy weight.
- Personal hygienic practices are very important.
- Avoid isolation, keep in touch with relatives and friends to prevent many mental disorders.
- Stop smoking in all phases of your life.
- Stand up slowly to avoid sudden dizziness.
- Take medicines only up on doctor's consultation.
- Older persons are more vulnerable to accidents that cause bone fractures.
- One third of old age-related accidents happen at home, such as falling, which may lead to arm or leg fractures; this is the most common cause disability.
- Treatment of some disabilities helps prevent many accidents and risks.
- Good light helps avoid corridor accidents.
- Do not put plastic carpets or rags in corridors to ensure safe movement of older people.
- Do not wear long clothes that may hinder safe standing up.
- Arrange home furniture properly to help older people move safely.
- Good light and ventilation in bathrooms and on staircases help prevent related accidents.
Objectives:
- Promote the rights enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and what it means in the daily lives of older persons;
- Raise the visibility of older people as participating members of society committed to improving the enjoyment of human rights in many areas of life and not just those that affect them immediately;
- Reflect on progress and challenges in ensuring full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons; and
- Engage broad audiences across the world and mobilize people for human rights at all stages of life.
Official Date:
- Globally: October 1st, 2018
- Locally: Al-Muharram 121st, 1440H.
Theme:
« Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions»
Older human rights champions today were born around the time of the adoption of the UDHR in 1948. They are as diverse as the society in which they live: from older people advocating for human rights at the grass root and community level to high profile figures on the international stage. Each and every one demands equal respect and acknowledgement for their dedication and commitment to contributing to a world free from fear.
Target Groups:
- Older people.
- Government organization that care for older persons.
- Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs).
- Concerned individuals and families.
- Elderly healthcare and rehabilitation professionals.
- Healthcare Centers' staff.
References: