International Day of Older Persons on Friday (Oct 1)
The oldest volunteer at Methodist Welfare Services is Mrs June Cheong, 92, who has been caring for the elderly for 40 years.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
.
More seniors stepping up as volunteers
On the International Day of Older Persons on Friday (Oct 1), The Straits Times looks at volunteers who are senior citizens and how they contribute to society.
Goh Yan Han and Theresa Tan
.
The United Nations adopted October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. About 10 months later, the world observed the first-ever International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 19.
SINGAPORE – More seniors are stepping up to help others, including other seniors.
Three organisations The Straits Times spoke to said they have been seeing an increasing number of senior volunteers over the years.
International Day of Older Persons
| International Day of Older Persons | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
Plaque in Madrid, Spain, celebrating the International Day of Older Persons
|
|
| Observed by | All UN Member States |
| Date | October 1 |
| Next time | 1 October 2022 |
| Frequency | annual |
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.
On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106.[1] The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.[2]
The holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
This holiday is similar to National Grandparents Day in the United States and Canada as well as Double Ninth Festival in China and Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. The observance is a focus of ageing organizations and the United Nations Programme on Ageing.
.
How People Celebrate International Day of Older Persons
The celebration of International Day of Older Persons is done to create awareness and empathy regarding the well being of the elderly. People usually celebrate the day by spending time with their grandparents, visiting old age homes and N.G.O’s and cooking or baking for them. Some children give greeting cards to their elderly on this day.
Perception
There is an initiative to celebrate October 1 as the International Longevity Day in order to draw attention to aging as a medical challenge that requires, first of all, biomedical solution
