You might not know it, but tomorrow is International Day of Elderly! But what does that mean, and why do we celebrate it?
International Day of the Elderly
Back in the ’90s, the United Nations designated October 1 as the International Day of the Elderly. This day was set aside to respond to the concerns, opportunities, and challenges faced by this growing population. As health care has gotten better around the world, people are living longer, meaning the population considered ‘elderly’ is growing at increasingly fast rates.
Almost 700 million people are over the age of 60, and it’s predicted that by 2050 a full 20% of the world’s population will be over 60. This day is a reminder to pay attention to the particular needs faced by this rapidly growing population and put a focus on creating a functioning society for all ages and stages of life.
Just as important is recognizing the contributions that most men and women over 60 continue to make during this stage in our lives.
The UN web page about International Day of the Elderly says the following:
“Living up to the Secretary-General’s guiding principle of “Leaving No-One Behind” necessitates the understanding that demography matters for sustainable development and that population dynamics will shape the key developmental challenges that the world in confronting in the 21st century. If our ambition is to “Build the Future We Want”, we must address the population over 60 which is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.”
Plant Therapy Celebrates People of All Ages
Here at plant therapy, we care about health and natural living for all ages. Which is exactly why we’re calling out this special day, and reminding you to call your mother, visit your dad, and say thank you to your grandparents tomorrow! Take the time to appreciate the people in your life over 60!
For more reading, you can check out these great blog posts:
