Blog post: World Seniors Citizens Day

Written by Susanne Urbina, ESPC Capacity Support Assistant

A village without the elderly is like a well without water. — African proverb (Moorhouse, 2020)

Our societies have been enriched by a group of people who, since 1991, have been recognized every August 21^st on World Seniors Citizens Day. This day was originally founded in 1988 by then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who proclaimed “senior citizens’ have achieved a lot throughout their lives, and we owe our gratitude” (International Days, 2023, para. 1, 2).

While in most societies, our seniors are appreciated for their achievements and contributions, there are some cultures where elders are most revered. In Japan, China, Korea and Vietnam, wisdom and experience are highly valued. Asian countries believe that the aging population have a great deal to offer and deserve respect (Moorhouse, 2020). An elderly rights law in China, mandates that they visit their aging parents often, otherwise they face potential punishment that ranges from fines to jail time (Martinez-Carter, 2015). Values influenced by Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, puts a principle upon the eldest son to be the caretaker for his aging parents, often by living with them. “Research conducted in 2001 across mainland Japan shows that more than half the population of Japanese people over the age of 60 lived with their children — a figure three to 10 times greater than what was found in Western countries” (Moorhouse, 2020).

France adopted an order in 2004, like the Elderly Rights Law, that young people need to visit their aging parents (Martinez-Carter, 2015).

Dan Buettner is the author of the Blue Zones Solution which explores the lifestyles of the world’s longest-living populations, and in a 2009 TED Talk called “How to Live to 100+”, he said “…the older you get, the more [social] equity you have. The more wisdom you’re celebrated for,”. He also shares “The Grandmother Effect” which promotes ageing parents, children and grandchildren to live under one roof, maintaining that they have lower rates of mortality and rates of disease. This model is seen across many Mediterranean and Latin countries and is mutually beneficial for these multiple generations living together. This is because in this scenario, adult children can go to work knowing that the care of their children is provided by the grandparents. There is so much value in the continued sense of connection and purposefulness a senior citizen would feel with this responsibility (Moorhouse, 2020).

In African countries, Australia and other Indigenous cultures around the world, Elders hold a great deal of power. They may be served first at mealtimes, or act as judges in the community, but are always considered the knowledge-keepers, who have the distinction to pass culture down to the younger generations (Moorhouse, 2020).

“Elders are a very special group in society,” says the scientist, David Suzuki. “We’ve got something no other group in society has. We have lived an entire life. We have made mistakes. We have celebrated successes. Suffered under failures. We’ve learned a hell of a lot in a lifetime. Now we’ve got something to troll through and look for those nuggets of information to pass on to the coming generation” (Moorhouse, 2020).

In the non-traditional cultures of the West, young adults are more valued than older adults. The long-established Protestant work ethic compares youth with their ability to work to the elderly’s ability which diminishes in old age (Weintrob 2022). Our geriatric population is therefore separated from the acquaintances cultivated through their work-life creating a void for connection. As one’s health deteriorates, they are often placed into retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, to be cared for by strangers. This situation further separates them from family and lifelong friends, severing even more integral relationships (Martinez-Carter, 2015).

The global trend in our aging population predicts a huge increase in the older adult population with a projection of people aged 65 years or older worldwide to be 1.6 billion in 2050, up from the 761 million in 2021, driven mainly by people taking better care of their health and living longer (United Nations, n.d., para. 1, 3).

When an aging society is judged by its abilities instead of the contributions they’ve made and their vast knowledge, we risk isolating them, robbing them of the respect they deserve. “We should embrace an older generation, build on their strengths, and continue to develop our world to be more understanding and inclusive” (Weintrob, 2022).

References

International Days. (2023). World Senior Citizens Day. https://www.internationaldays.co/event?recordId=rec7sSffl92o3b7Hw

Pam Moorhouse. (February 23, 2020). “The Cultures where Elders are Revered”. Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cultures-where-elders-revered-pam-moorhouse/

Karina Martinez-Carter. (2015). “How the elderly are treated around the world”. The Week.   https://theweek.com/articles/462230/how-elderly-are-treated-around-world

United Nations. (n.d.). “World Social Report 2023: Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World”. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/WSR_2023_Chapter_Key_Messages.pdf

Grace Weintrob. (January 28, 2022). “Aging around the world”. Colorado State University. https://www.research.colostate.edu/healthyagingcenter/2022/01/28/aging-around-the-world/#:~:text=Western%20cultures%20have%20traditionally%20been,pedestal%20of%20wisdom%20and%20respect