FORUM: "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide". International Day of Older Persons 2024. Population ageing is a major global trend that is reshaping the demographic makeup of societies worldwide. This significant shift in population age structures results from decreases in fertility rates and increases in life expectancy. Today, life expectancy at birth exceeds 75 years in half of the world's countries or areas, 25 years longer than those born in 1950. Individuals reaching the age of 65 are now expected to live an additional 16.8 years on average. In 2018, a historic milestone was reached when the number of older persons outnumbered children under five for the first time globally. By 2030, the global population of older persons is projected to exceed the number of youth and double the number of children under five. This increase is anticipated to be most rapid in developing countries. Given this global demographic shift, the caregiving landscape is undergoing significant transformations, encompassing a wide range of needs for both paid and unpaid support, in both formal and informal settings. Recent decades have seen shifts in living arrangements for families and older persons in both developed and developing nations. Combined with overall ageing trends, this has heightened demand for different forms of care provision. Amid rising demand for long-term care, growth in the number of caregivers is not keeping pace. As of 2015, there was a global shortage of about 13.6 million formal care workers. These deficits translate to half of the older population globally not having access to quality formal long-term care. As populations age, the demand for comprehensive healthcare, care, and social support services has grown substantially. This is particularly critical for older persons with conditions such as dementia, which is a leading cause of care dependency and disability in old age worldwide. The need for specialized care has become integral to the broader healthcare demands of ageing populations. However, most caregivers, both paid and unpaid, have insufficient training to meet these complex needs. Consequently, there is an urgent worldwide need to expand training and educational opportunities in the fields of geriatrics and gerontology for health professionals, social care professionals, and informal caregivers who work with older persons. Older persons constitute a heterogeneous group with diverse health needs, requiring different levels of care and support. Traditionally, the care burden has fallen on co-residing, multigenerational extended families, thus relying on the family as an informal system of support. However, changes in family size and dynamics, population ageing, and other social and economic trends are undermining these traditional support systems. The implications for societies and individuals depend significantly on the type of care required and who provides it. Women, who comprise most care recipients and caregivers, contribute roughly 70% of global informal care hours. This is especially true in low- and middle-income countries where care policies and services are insufficient, leaving women more vulnerable to experiencing poverty in old age. Family caregivers often have multiple responsibilities, leaving them overworked and at risk of providing poor-quality care. Some of the rights related to care and support are explicitly guaranteed in existing human rights treaties, for example social security and education, while others such as long-term care and support, are not, as examinations of the General Assembly Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing show. Protecting the human rights of both caregivers and recipients is fundamental to implementing effective care strategies, which must recognize and value the diverse contributions made by caregivers. These contributions range from family members offering unpaid care to professionals delivering targeted services, including palliative, rehabilitative, and long-term care. Rethinking approaches to care and support systems will benefit today’s older persons and those who care for them, as well as future generations of older persons. Care and support systems for older persons should be tailored to the needs, values, and preferences of care recipients and caregivers. They should go beyond the medical aspects of care, to adopt a life-course approach that encompasses an individual’s culture, life history, social support network, and identity, and giving recipients control over care decisions. Member States should pursue a more equitable, person-centered approach to care, safeguarding the human rights of both caregivers and their care recipients. This approach should operate across Governments, civil society, communities, and households, as well as the private sector, to address the needs in the provision of both formal and informal care. Follow the conversations with hashtags. #1October, #ForEveryAge #idop2024,#OlderPersonsDay, #HealthyAgeing.
EVENTS: The 34th commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons will bring together experts to discuss policies, legislation and practices that strengthen care and support systems for older persons. The event will host the launch of the United Nations Postal Administration Commemorative Stamp in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2024. See More details and be ready to watch the livestream!
New York, UNHQ - On October 7th, 2024, from 10am to 1pm at ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ. A event entitled will be hosted by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), NGO Committee on Ageing NY, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Group of friends of Older persons, the Permanent Mission of Argentina to United Nations; This year's event will highlight the urgent need to expand training and educational opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology, address the global shortage of care workers, and recognize the diverse contributions of caregivers. The commemoration will also emphasize the importance of protecting the human rights of both caregivers and care recipients, promoting person-centered approaches to care 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. Read the Mission Statement and the Final Programme
Geneva, UNHQ - On Tuesday 1st October 2024 Palais des Nations. Room XXIII, 15:00 – 16:30. An Hybrid event event entitled “Geneva Calls: A Pivotal Moment for Older Persons' Rights” will be hosted by the UNECE, NGO Committee on Ageing Geneva, the Permanent missions of Portugal, Slovenia, the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the International Psychogeriatric Association, the Global Alliance for the rights of Older person (GAROP), the International Longevity Centre (ILC) … to mark the International Day of Older Persons 2024 in UN Geneva. on the sidelines of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). The session will analyze recent developments and explore actions for all stakeholders to further the human rights of older persons. It will serve as a forum for discussing collaborative strategies to promoting and protecting these rights. Please read the Flyer and Program and Register to participate! (Via Zoom). Stay tuned to Watch the livestream!
Vienna, UNOV - On Monday, 30th September 2024, at 13:00 (event starts at 14:00) at the United Nations, Wagramer Str. 5, 1220 Vienna, Room no. CR2 in C-Building on the 2nd floor will be held a panel discussion entitled ‘‘Marginalization of Older Persons in Society – A Significant Health Risk’’organized by the NGO Committee on Ageing, UN Vienna. “Leave no one behind!” is a key principle of the United Nations’ “Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development”, as proclaimed under the SDG3: “to ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages”. A particular group threatened by the risk of not having full chances to live a healthy life and enjoy well-being are older persons who are marginalized or excluded by society. The IDOP 2024 conference will address specific forms of marginalization of older persons and its possible influences on their health. Please read the Flyer and Program and Register to participate!.
The objectives of UNIDOP 2024:
•Emphasize the roles of national policies and legislation , family, and community in ensuring full respect for the dignity, beliefs, needs and privacy of older persons, and for the right to make decisions about their care and quality of their lives.
• Foster greater knowledge and awareness of the global shortage of care workers and the challenges in establishing comprehensive care and support systems for older persons beyond formal healthcare settings, particularly in the context of population ageing.
• Learn from caregivers’ experiences and discuss the challenges and opportunities of ageing in place versus long-term care facilities.
• Highlight innovative initiatives providing quality care and support systems for older persons, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive care and social support services, particularly for older persons with conditions such as dementia. Promote the need for specialized training and education for caregivers to address the diverse health needs of older persons, and stress the importance of geriatrics education.
• Advocate for the recognition of the diverse contributions of caregivers, from family members providing unpaid care to professionals offering specialized services, ensuring that their rights are respected. Address the challenges faced by informal caregivers, especially women, and promote policies that support them in balancing multiple responsibilities
Message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres on the International Day of Older Persons 2024; October 1st.
As populations age, care and support systems are vital for older persons to continue actively engaging and enriching their communities.
Yet too often older persons do not have access to this crucial assistance, deepening inequalities and increasing their vulnerabilities. This disparity falls even heavier on women, including older women, who bear the brunt of providing unpaid care.
Recognising the rights of both those who receive care and care givers is essential for more resilient societies.
We must work to cultivate people-centered care systems that are sustainable and equitable, and they must amplify the voices of older persons by ensuring their participation in policy making.
That requires investing in the infrastructure for formal long-term care, ensuring opportunities for decent work, and enabling individuals to transition from informal to formal care.
On this International Day of Older Persons, let’s commit to strengthen care and support systems that honour the dignity of older persons and caregivers.
As populations age, care and support systems are vital for older persons to continue actively engaging and enriching their communities.
Yet too often older persons do not have access to this crucial assistance, deepening inequalities and increasing their vulnerabilities. This disparity falls even heavier on women, including older women, who bear the brunt of providing unpaid care.
Recognising the rights of both those who receive care and care givers is essential for more resilient societies.
We must work to cultivate people-centered care systems that are sustainable and equitable, and they must amplify the voices of older persons by ensuring their participation in policy making.
That requires investing in the infrastructure for formal long-term care, ensuring opportunities for decent work, and enabling individuals to transition from informal to formal care.
On this International Day of Older Persons, let’s commit to strengthen care and support systems that honour the dignity of older persons and caregivers.
LIVESTREAM: Stay tuned on October 7h to Watch The 34th commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on the theme of "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide".
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