International Day of Older Persons 2024, History, Schemes

International Day of Older Persons 2024: The International Day of Older Persons 2024 is observed internationally on October 1st , like every year. This day is recognized for the contributions, wisdom, and experiences of older people worldwide. In a nation like India, the growing population of elderly people brings attention to their rights, health and overall well-being. The United Nations declared this special observance to encourage societies to address the challenges faced by senior citizens while celebrating their valuable roles.

Overview of International Day of Older Persons 2024

The International Day of Older Persons 2024 is observed worldwide on 1st October, to honour the contributions of senior citizens. It is an experience that raises awareness of the issues that elderly people, including healthcare, financial security, and social inclusion have faced.

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The Importance of International Day of Older Persons 2024

As populations around the world age rapidly, the aim of this International Day of Older Persons 2024 is to raise awareness about key issues pertaining to society such as healthcare , social inclusion , and protection of the elderly . The world is experiencing an exceptional demographic shift, where elderly people live longer than ever.

By 2050 , it is expected that the global population aged 60 years and above will double , which will make the elderly population a significant demographic group. International Day of Older Persons 2024 highlights the need to focus on the quality of life for older individuals while addressing their emotional , social , and physical needs . It is a call for government authorities and societies to provide the necessary resources and policies for their welfare.

What is the Theme for Older Person Day 2024?

The theme of International Day of Older Persons 2024 which generally aims to focus on celebrating the roles played by the older people in our communities will be announced shortly. The International Day of Older Persons 2024 theme will encourage a deeper understanding of how senior citizens shape families, workplaces, and social groups through their wisdom, experience, and ongoing contributions.

Community Effort through the Event at Headingley Stadium

The International Day of Older Persons 2024 event at Headingley Stadium is expected to be vibrant and will be celebrated from 11 am to 2.30 pm on the 1 of October , in honour of contributions made by elderly people. Organized by Leeds Older People’s Forum , Leeds Rhinos Foundation , and Leeds City Council , the event will be hosted by the ambassador of Out Together, “Matt Jameson” to provide an opportunity to bring together older persons from across the community to share their experiences and achievements. It will also feature various activities which will promote physical and mental well-being among the elderly.

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India's Elderly Population Challenges

In India, the elderly population is growing at an exceptional rate, and it is expected to experience a tremendous 254% growth . By 2050 , the country is expected to have nearly 340 million people aged 60 and above , which makes them an increasingly significant segment of Indian society. The traditional respect for elders remains strong, but as the country modernizes, more efforts are needed to provide the right support systems for its ageing population.

Many older and elder persons in India face challenges like limited access to healthcare , financial insecurity , and social isolation , especially in urban settings. However, they also contribute significantly to family life, especially in multi-generational households, where they often act as caregivers to grandchildren and hold invaluable cultural knowledge.

This partnership shows how local organizations can come together to highlight the importance of the elderly in everyday life, creating a medium for them to engage, connect, and contribute actively.

National Policy for Senior Citizens

The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 in India acts as a framework for ensuring that elderly people are provided with the necessary resources to live a dignified life. It aims to address key areas such as financial security, healthcare, shelter, and protection from abuse.

The National Policy for Senior Citizens generally focuses on care and support through various government programs:

• The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides grants for running and maintaining old-age homes.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) offers free assistive living devices for low-income elderly.
• The Elderline (14567) helpline addresses grievances, while the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) supports state-level welfare planning.
• Initiatives like SAGE promote elderly-focused startups, and the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana promotes intergenerational bonding and ageing awareness.

Some key features of the policy include:

• Financial Security: Ensuring that older persons have access to pensions and savings that can support their financial needs.
• Healthcare: Improving access to quality healthcare services that are provided according to the needs of older adults, including the establishment of geriatric care facilities .
• Housing: Creating affordable and age-friendly housing options for older persons.
• Social Protection: Protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation through legal frameworks and support systems.
• Inclusion: Encouraging older persons to actively participate in community life and promoting intergenerational interactions to promote mutual respect and support.

Schemes Related to Older Persons in India

The Indian government has introduced many schemes related to older persons in India to support the ageing population and ensure their well-being, which will ultimately support to International Day of Older Persons 2024. These initiatives seek to provide financial assistance, healthcare services, and social security to senior citizens.

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Notable schemes include:

1. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): This pension scheme offers 7.40% per annum (for the FY 2020-21) returns to help older persons maintain financial independence.
2. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Provides monthly financial support to elderly individuals living below the poverty line, ensuring they have some form of financial security.
3. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): This scheme supplies senior citizens with assistive devices such as walking aids, hearing aids, and spectacles to improve their daily lives.
4. Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP): Designed to improve living conditions by providing food, shelter, healthcare, and other essential services.

These programs are steps in the right direction, but the rapidly ageing population will require more comprehensive and wide-reaching solutions to fully address the needs of older persons.

National Award ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’

The National Award 'Vayoshreshtha Samman' is another initiative led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India , to honour senior citizens and institutions for their exceptional contributions towards the welfare of the elderly. These awards seek to recognize individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in promoting the dignity, care, and well-being of older persons.

Presented every year on International Day of Older Persons , these awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of the elderly in various fields, including healthcare, advocacy, and community service. The last recipients of the National Award ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ were honoured in 2019 by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind . In 2019, the awards included both individual and institutional categories.

Some of the prominent individual awardees were

• Shri Ishwarchandra Chintamani for the Centenarian Award.
• Shri Chhajuram Sharma for Lifetime Achievement.
• Ms. Eli Ahmad for Creative Art.

Institutions such as the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences and Gandhi Bhawan International Trust were recognized for their services in the fields of ageing and elder care.

Why We Need to Focus on the Elderly Now More Than Ever

The observance of Older Persons Day 2024 acts as a reminder to the people by seeking attention towards the critical importance of caring for and supporting older individuals in society. As people get old, they often face many difficulties, which seem small and easy to young people, from health complications to social isolation and financial insecurity. The International Day of Older Persons 2024 is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to create inclusive and supportive environments for the elderly.

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International Day of Older Persons 2024 Relevance to UPSC

The International Day of Older Persons 2024 is relevant to the UPSC exam because it links into important topics such as social issues, governance, and population dynamics in both the General Studies and Essay papers.

Understanding the challenges faced by the elderly people and government schemes like the National Policy for Senior Citizens can provide vital insights for questions related to demographics, social justice , and inclusive policies . Candidates should stay informed about such observances to better address the broader issues of aging populations and social welfare in their answers.

Conclusion

The International Day of Older Persons 2024 is a moment to reflect on the roles older adults play in our lives and to take action to ensure they are supported, respected, and included. As we observe this day, let us ensure that we continue to build communities and systems that honour and support the elderly.

Whether through policy changes, local events like those at Headingley Stadium, or personal actions, every effort counts in making the world a better place for our ageing population.

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