On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons, UN Chief stated that the world reckoned with the disproportionate and severe impact that the COVID-19 pandemic that wrought on older persons on their health as well as their rights and well-being.
According to the UN, "This year has also seen an emergence of COVID-19, that has caused an upheaval across the world. Considering the higher risks confronted by older persons during the outbreak of pandemics such as COVID-19, policy and programmatic interventions must be targeted towards raising awareness of their special needs. Recognizing older persons contributions to their own health and the multiple roles they play in the preparedness and response phases of current and future pandemics is also important."
The UN website adds that as stated 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 observance for 2020 aims at the following aspects:
Informing participants about the strategic objectives for the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
Raising 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.
Increasing 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
Increasing understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on older persons and its impact on health care policy, planning, and attitudes.
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