International Day of Older Persons is celebrated each year on October 1^st.

According to the United Nations, average life expectancy rose from 46 to 68 years of age between 1950 and 2010, and by 2050 there will be more persons over 60 than children in the world. By the end of the century, average life expectancy is predicted to rise to 81 years old.

Celebrated since October 1, 1991, International Day of Older Persons was established by the United Nations General Assembly and its Program on Ageing to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the issues and challenges they face, including senescence, healthcare and elder abuse.

This year’s theme is Taking a Stand Against Ageism, and this theme is so important because ageism is the most “normalized” form of prejudice in today’s society. But, there are things all of us can do to change this.

At Amintro, the social community designed exclusively for those 50 plus, we know that age is just a number, and that number doesn’t define you or your abilities. For this International Day of Older Persons we want you to celebrate your age, accomplishments, and the contributions you make to your community by:

• Sharing them on social media
• Talking about them with friends and neighbours
• Educating younger generations on the effects of ageism
• Highlighting the value of seniors in the workplace, community and home setting
• Speaking with those that are older than yourself to understand what issues persist and how to help correct them

Together we can shape how older persons are treated and perceived by society, improve medical care, work environments, and foster the potential and positive impact seniors have on our communities. You can learn more about this day and different ways to celebrate it by visiting the United Nations or World Health Organization’s websites.

Written by Christine Tompa