Older Persons & CoVID-19
The world marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons as we reckon with the disproportionate and severe impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on older persons around the world – not only on their health, but on their rights and well-being.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
The year 2020 imprints the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons. This year has additionally observed a rise of Coronavirus disease (CoVID-19), that has caused a change over the world. Considering the higher dangers went up against by older people during the global pandemics, Coronavirus, strategy and automatic mediations must be focused towards bringing issues to light of their essential needs.
Recognizing older people commitments to their own health and multiple roles they play in the preparedness and reaction periods of momentum and future pandemics is significant.
The 2020 observance will also promote the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) and help bring together UN experts, civil society, government and the health professions to discuss the five strategic objectives of the Global Strategy and Action plan on Ageing and Health while noting the progress and challenges in their realization.
The global strategy is very much incorporated into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while maturing issues cut across the 17 objectives, particularly Objective 3 which plans to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being of all at all ages”. As expressed by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Director-General, WHO) “acting on the strategy, is a means for countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensure that every human being regardless of age will have an opportunity to fulfill their potential in dignity and equality”
The 2020 theme aims to:
- Inform participants about the strategic objectives for the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
- Raise awareness of the special health needs of older persons and of their contributions to their own health and to the functioning of the societies in which they live.
- Increase awareness and appreciation of the role of the health care workforce in maintaining and improving the health of older persons, with special attention to the nursing profession
- Present proposals for reducing the health disparities between older persons in the developed and developing countries, so as to “Leave no one behind”.
- Increase understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on older persons and its impact on health care policy, planning, and attitudes.