On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, and the day was observed for the first time throughout the World on October 1, 1991. The day is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the older persons. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older persons make to society.
In 2002, the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to respond to the opportunities and challenges of ageing group and also to promote the development of a society for all ages.
The MEC for Social Development Pastor Gift van Staden, and the broader Social Development community, would like to take this opportunity, during 16th International Day of Older Persons, to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of ageing in today’s world.
The theme for 2016, Take a Stand Against Ageism, challenges everyone to consider ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age - and the detrimental impact it has on older people.
The World Health Assembly resolution related to the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health, adopted in May 2016, calls on the Director-General (United Nations) to develop, in cooperation with other partners, a Global campaign to combat ageism and achieve the ultimate goal of enhancing the day-to-day experience of older people and to optimize policy responses.
Ageism is stereotyping and discrimination on the basis of a person’s age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. This year, we challenge everyone to identify and question these internalised ageist attitudes, and to understand the serious impact that these attitudes have.
For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. Overlooked for employment, restricted from social services, and stereotyped in the media, ageism marginalizes and excludes Older Persons in their communities.
Ageism is everywhere, yet it is the most socially “normalised” of any prejudice, and is not widely countered – like racism or sexism. It exists when the media portrays all old people as “frail” and “dependent.” It influences (subconsciously or actively) the policy maker to opt for cost containment in preference to making appropriate adaptations and investment in infrastructure and services for ageing societies. These attitudes, pervasive yet invisible, lead to the marginalisation of older people within our communities and have negative impacts on their health and well-being.
Older people who feel they are a burden may also perceive their lives to be less valuable, putting them at risk of depression and social isolation. Research shows that older adults with negative attitudes about ageing may live 7.5 years less than those with positive attitudes.
It becomes important to note, that, Older persons make major contributions to society, through volunteer work by transferring experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and participating in the paid labour force. Already now older persons make major contributions, for instances, throughout the country, millions of adult AIDS patients are cared for at home by their parents and orphaned children left behind by AIDS victims are mainly looked after by their grandparents.
South Africa commemorates the International day of older persons as part of Social Development month, which is aimed at fighting poverty and building a caring society for a better life. We also want to acknowledge the role played by all NGO’s and Community Based organisations for their commitment and contribution in addressing issue pertaining to older persons. Also appreciate the role of the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum which serves as the voice of older persons in matters that concern their lives.
All activities for the month will be communicated at the Social Development month Media Launch.
