International Day of Older Persons is a special day for older persons or senior citizens all over the world. We are fortunate to live in a time when so many of our elderly are living lives of unexpected health and financial security, but such was not always the case. Throughout history, old age was not something an individual expected to reach, and so we lost the wisdom and experience of these individuals at an early age. Senior Citizen Day celebrates the fact that these keepers of wisdom are staying with us longer each year, and in better health.
Let’s discuss life expectancy throughout the ages, starting in the Late Middle Ages. During this time period, those who were at the top of the social strata had a life expectancy of 30 years old, 30 years! Could you imagine graduating High School only to have less time remaining on this Earth than you spent in school? That’s how far things have come since those days of old. Even in the 1900’s, the age had only increased to 31, but that’s when things really started getting incredible.
You see, as medical technology advanced, which it has been doing exponentially in the last 100 years, so did life expectancy advance with it. In the 1950’s we saw an average life expectancy of 48 the world over, and then in 2014, it had expanded to 71.5 years, more than double the life expectancy of our medieval counterparts! In fact, in Monaco, you find the longest life expectancy of the world, 89.52 years!
This means that we have more and more people living to a ripe old age and able to share their wisdom, stories, and experience with several generations.
The rights of older persons are the entitlements and independence claimed for senior citizens (i.e. above 60 years of age). Elderly rights are one of the fundamental rights of India.
A census of India demonstrated that aged people in India have crossed over 100 million. Many older people in India are not alert about the human rights of older persons, due to the high occurrence of illiteracy and lack of alertness. Elder illiteracy directly contributes to a lack of knowledge regarding the human rights for older people in India, and contributes to the infringement of those rights.
Surveys have found that one out of every six older persons living in urban areas in India aren't obtaining proper nutrition, one out of every three older persons does not obtain sufficient health care or medicine, and one out of every two older persons don't receive due respect or good conduct from family members or people in general.
In today's state of urbanization in which women are increasingly joining the workforce, the roots of joint family systems are eroding. Higher numbers of older people who have spent most of their life with their joint/extended families may face loneliness and marginalization in their old age. In rural areas, the older members of families, (i.e.: people who are above 60 years of age), are respected more and are considered a strong part of the family as the joint family system remains part of their roots. In villages, 46.91% of the older men and 50.1% of older women are from joint families. In rural areas, 13,560 out of 29,000 rural elderly have joint families.
Governmental concessions and facilities
The government of India provides various concessions and facilities to its senior citizens. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, is aimed at enusirng that the elderly live in self-respect and peace. The Bill includes provisions to guard India's senior citizens besides specifically prescribing the State’s role in taking care of them. The Bill also places a legal responsibility on children and relatives to maintain the senior citizen or parent in order to facilitate seniors with a normal life. This obligation applies to all Indian citizens, including those who live abroad. The offspring and relatives of seniors are required to provide sufficient support for senior citizens, while the state governments will create old age homes in every district.
Health
Many government and private hospitals provide concessions to the older persons in the treatment of the diseases like cardiac problems, diabetes, kidney problems, blood pressure, joint problems and eye problems. There is also a condition for separate queuing of reservations for hospital beds.
Travel
Indian Railways gives 30% concessions in the ticket prices to all the persons aged 60 years and above. It is 50% for women aged over 60 years. Proof of age is required. There are also conditions of lower berth for older persons and also separate counters for booking and cancelling tickets to avoid rushes at the counters. Some airlines provide concessions in its economy class, (with particular terms and conditions applied). Air India provides 45% concessions to older persons in wheel chairs and are allowed to board the plane first.
Housing
The Indian government provides housing facilities such as retirement homes and recreational or educational centers. These centers provide older persons with opportunities to spend their free time doing various activities. Most recreational centers have fitness clubs, yoga centers, parks, spiritual sessions, picnics, food fests for the health and entertainment of senior citizens. Some old age homes also have libraries other activities such as music classes, arts and crafts, quizzes and indoor games. These activities help to spiritually uplift seniors and can contribute to overall health improvements and mental stability.
Difficulties faced by older persons
Health and care: Physical and mental health care availability and community and social care aspects of life for the elderly are key concerns. Nutritional problems are also a concern.
Income and housing: Access to employment opportunities, transportation, housing and income are key concerns. Inhumane living conditions are also a concern.
Social networks and customs: Poor social interaction with family and friends, poor social networks, and those without families are some difficulties faced by some senior citizens. Social customs based upon elder neglect, which the elderly may internalize as beliefs are topics of concern. Losing the will to live from a lack of social support is another issue.
Additional concerns: Educational access and opportunities, the potential for leisure pursuits, consumer protections and having access to information are also key concerns.
Successful aging (American English) or successful ageing (British English) refers to physical, mental and social well-being in older age. The concept of successful aging can be traced back to the 1950s, and was popularized in the 1980s. It reflects a changing view on aging in Western countries, where a stigma associated with old age (see ageism) has led to considering older people as a burden on society. Consequently, in the past, most of the scientists have been focusing on the negative aspects of aging or preventing the decline of youth
Research on successful aging, however, acknowledges the fact that there is a growing number of older adults functioning at a high level and contributing to the society. Scientists working in this area seek to define what differentiates successful from usual aging in order to design effective strategies and medical interventions to protect health and well-being from aging. Some researchers in aging studies are critical of the very term "successful aging" as it implies failure on the part of those who do not meet arbitrary criteria derived from neoliberal and/or biomedical definitions.
Successful aging has a very broad definition that looks different to each person and on each person. All people vary in genetics, life style choices, and socioeconomic status which are three influential factors in determining your life course trajectory. These factors also come together to determine our physical and mental health. Research shows that even late in life, the potential exists for physical, mental, and social growth and development
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