The International day of Older Persons was commemorated on the 1^st of October and this year the theme was taking a stand against ageism by drawing attention to and challenging negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his statement said “Ageism is a widely prevalent and prejudicial attitude that stems from the assumption that age discrimination,

and sometimes neglect and abuse of older persons is a social norm and therefore, acceptable”. “Such discrimination shapes how older persons are treated and perceived by their societies, including in medical settings and workplaces, creating environments that limit older persons’ potential and impact their health and well-being. The failure to tackle ageism undermines older persons’ rights and hinders their contributions to social, economic, cultural and political life”

With a global population of people aged 60 years and older more likely to double, from  841 million people in 2013 to more than 2 billion in 2050, older persons are projected to exceed the number of children for the first time in 2047.

Sri Lanka’s ageing population is one of the fastest aging countries in the world.  The elderly population (defined as people above the age of 65 years) of 1.7 million in 2001, is expected to rise to 3.6 million by 2021, and will comprise 16.7% of the total population. By 2041, one in every four Sri Lankan is expected to be elderly. According to population projections, at present, life expectancy of Sri Lankan females at birth is 77.2 years and males 69.2 years. At the same time the proportion of working age population will progressively decreasing in the coming decades, thus abuse to elders will become a significant problem due to increased life expectancy. (Source : Talking Economics’, the blog of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)

Elder abuse is a global social issue, which affects the health and human rights of older persons and deserves the attention of the international community.

In celebration of this day, Mrs Badra Udawatta, of FPA Sri Lanka’s Alokaya Counselling Centre, was invited by Senior Sunrise to conduct a Stress Management lecture at the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka. There were 25 participants, all above the age 55 years. The lecture focused on the psychological, physical, social, sexual and environmental changes as well as difficulties that one faces with aging. It also looked at the importance of accepting these changes and growing old gracefully. Some relaxation techniques, mirroring exercises and other activities were also conducted to help them to face these changes.

The Outreach Unit ( organised by the Nuwara Eliya Service Delivery Point) conducted a Mobile Clinic at the church of St.Francis Xavier in Nuwara Eliya, to honour this day, where  60 elders received much needed medical services and care.