MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE

Let us love, care , respect and protect the elder

Who are Older Persons?
Who are Older Persons? What do older persons need?
The United Nations and the Africa Union , consider an Older Person as one who is aged sixty - Care, love, companionship and support from family and society at large
(60) years and above. These are our respected elders or senior citizens. - Peace and security
- Decent accomodation
What is aging? - Access to clean water
A life cycle we all go through as we progress through life.
- Nutritious and healthy food
- Everyone blessed with long life will one day reach old age.
- Freedom of association and expression
- The young persons of today are the Older Persons of tomorrow.
- Satisfactory medical attention
Background to the International day of Older Persons
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year. On December 14, - Universal Health Insurance
1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International - Universal pension
Day of Older Persons as recorded under Resolution 45/106. The day wasobserved - Respect and recognition
internationally for the first time on October 1, 1991. - To be given an opportunity to help around the family

Purpose of the International day of Older Persons What are our responsibilities as member of society to the Older Persons?
An opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society, raise - Show appreciation and gratitude for all they have done and achieved throughout life
awareness of the condition of older people as well as the opportunities and challenges of -Continue engaging them as useful members of the family and consult them on family issues
ageing in today’s world. -Provide a conducive environment in which they can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement,
acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and with dignity
Challenges faced by the Older persons - Acknowledge and appreciate their contributions to society
- Lack of respect, care, love and support from family and society - Ensure that they do not face discrimination, neglect, abuse, hunger and porvety
- Loneliness, due to abandonment and rejection by family and society - Show them respect and love
- Loss of status in the household and society - Ensure their welfare is taken care of
- Being accused of engaging in witchcraft - Give them priority in the provision of services.
- Lack of employment opportunities
- Failing health and lack of healthcare provision
It is our individual and collective responsibility to takecare of Older Persons and to support them to live their lives to the
- Being relegated in the decision making process
fullest as freely as possible.
- Lack of recreational facilities
- Low pension income
- Being removed from their family homes to Old People’s homes due to advanced age
- Being stripped of their property and other resources by family members due to old age.