International Day of Older Persons

Who are the older people that you know well? Perhaps your grandmother, grandfather, a neighbour or a family friend? The International Day of Older Persons, on 1 October, is a day to celebrate and show respect for the older people in our lives.

Why do we have a special day for older people?

The United Nations decided to create a special day for older people in 1990. They realised that many elderly people have difficulties, like being ill or feeling lonely. Having a special day helps us understand the problems that older people have and reminds us to support and care for them. 

How many older people are there in the world?

In 2019 there were one billion people aged 60 years and older, and by 2050 there will be 2.1 billion! People are living longer because, in many places, they have better healthcare and living conditions than in the past. This means that more and more people can enjoy their older years.

What can we learn from older people?

Older people have a lot of experience of life, so they know a lot of things! They can share stories from the past that help us understand the world better. They can also help us learn how to do interesting things, like cooking, gardening and crafts or how to play fun card games or board games.

How can we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons?

One way to celebrate this special day is by spending time with your grandparents or an elderly neighbour. You could play a game with them, or talk to them about life when they were young. You could even prepare some interesting questions to ask them and interview them! If you live far from your grandparents, you could have a phone call or a video call with them. Another idea is to make a card, draw a picture or write a letter or poem to give to people in your local old people's home. It's sure to make them smile!