World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – this is the broad name of the annual event celebrated by the world community on June 15, since 2011.
Although the representatives of our society who have reached an old age are discriminated on the basis of age, it is to them that we owe our existence, well-being and carefree life. Yes, they no longer have the mental and physical abilities that people have in their prime. However, unlike the latter, they have accumulated enormous life and professional experience, without which it is difficult to imagine successful development in any field of human activity. The short name of the holiday, designed to draw attention to the importance of the elderly in our society, is as follows: “Day of Protection of the Elderly”. In 2022, the 11th anniversary of the holiday will take place, which we will celebrate on Tuesday, June 15.
How did the idea to celebrate the Day of Protection of the Elderly come about?
The Day of Protection of the Elderly was introduced on 12/19/2011 at the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly. For this purpose, a special Resolution was created, which states that by the middle of the 21st century, the number of elderly people on our planet will approach 20%. According to experts’ calculations, these indicators will be the highest in developing countries.
The purpose of this holiday is to fight against discrimination and injustice towards the elderly, as well as to draw attention to the fact that the elderly are not only a necessary, but an extremely important part of our society.
Statistics
The World Health Organization offers a specially developed classification of elderly people. Thus, representatives of society aged 60-74 are called elderly, 75-89 are called old, and people whose age has exceeded the mark of 90 years are considered long-lived.
In society, those who have retired are classified as elderly. However, this is a very general feature, as men retire later than women. In addition, the limits of the retirement age differ greatly in different countries.
In recent years, the share of citizens of retirement age in Ukraine has increased significantly, the same applies to most developed and developing countries. In our country, for example, there are more than 11,000,000 people of retirement age.
Statistics also show that every sixth elderly person is mistreated by relatives, relatives, neighbors or strangers. Modern limitations: isolation, reduction of medical services significantly increase these negative situations.
Protection of the rights of the elderly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Today, there is not a single person who has not been affected in one way or another by disagreements related to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the category of elderly people suffered the most. First, they belong to the highest risk group. The situation is worst for people whose age has already crossed the mark of 80 years. Mortality among representatives of this group is 6 times higher than the average.
As you know, in connection with the coronavirus, the amount of treatment for diseases not related to the coronavirus infection has decreased, and planned operations are also being postponed, which inflicts the greatest blow on the most vulnerable segments of the population of our planet.
The accompanying difficulties associated with the pandemic also mostly affect the elderly. In addition to the threat to their life and safety, they are subjected to social humiliation, deprived of necessary medical care, the possibility of free movement, decent work and subsidy payments.
Seniors are just as valuable to each of us, as well as to the overall development of our planet, as young people. In this regard, the authorities and active representatives of the public should develop more comfortable living conditions for the elderly. Therefore, when implementing effective measures in the fight against the coronavirus disease, the health, needs and dignity of the elderly should be taken into account, without violating human rights.
Greetings on the Day of Protection of the Elderly
“The team of our community addresses the most educated representatives of our society with the most sincere congratulations on the Day of Protection of the Elderly. Today we have an opportunity to show our love and respect to those who have made great efforts so that we and our children live in harmony and prosperity today. We wish that, along with their deep wisdom and gray temples, they will continue to feel young at heart.”
“Dear fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, we are infinitely grateful to you for your self-sacrificing work for the good of our Motherland and our city (village). Your life will always be an example of moral values and justice for us. You have always preserved and continue to preserve our national traditions, moral values and deep knowledge for the benefit of your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
“Today is your day, the Day of Protection of the Elderly! However, you are young at heart and can pass on your knowledge and unlimited experience to the younger generation. Your example inculcates patience, courage, cheerfulness of spirit, love of work, and devotion to the Motherland in your successors. Our greatest duty is to surround you with sincere love, kindness and care. We will do everything to ensure that you never feel abandoned.”
When will we celebrate the Day of Protection of the Elderly?
