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| Sunday, 25 September 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
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Int'l Day of Older Persons : Treat your elders with love and care How do you treat the elders around you? Do you treat them with kindness and compassion or do you get impatient with them and try to brush them off? If it's the latter, remember that you are being very cruel and unkind. These elders that you are treating with such disdain could be the same ones that looked after you, cared for and nurtured you when you were much younger. These are points to ponder as we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. The special day recognises and honours the elders in our society for the services they have rendered to their families, communities and the society. The objective is for governments, non-governmental organisations and the society to work together to give older persons their rightful place in society without having them marginalised. You may know that the ageing population has been on the increase for some time. The number of senior citizens in the world is increasing and will hit the 1.2 billion mark in about 25 years. In Sri Lanka the situation is no different. Ten per cent of our local population is above 60 years of age and is expected to surpass 25 per cent by 2020. Estimates are that 50 per cent of the population will be over 50 by 2050. The increasing ageing population is expected to have a spiralling effect on all sections of society. It is also said that 40 per cent of the world's over 60 population is living below the poverty line, without care, dignity, self-fulfilment, social activities or independence. Some consider the elders around them as unproductive, useless and a burden to society. The United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons on December 14, 1990, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the General Assembly. So, as children, what can you do on this day to make older people feel better? * First of all, look after your elders. Treat them with love and kindness. If you don't have any older persons in your family, look after such people who may be living in your neighbourhood. * Treat them with dignity. Don't treat them like useless or insane people who cannot do anything right. Allow them to perform simple tasks they may be capable of handling, and help them where necessary. This way, they will feel that they are still useful to society. * Organise recreational activities for them, like parties, picnics, short trips or get-togethers at each others' homes. * Talk to them. They have a lifetime of experiences and useful advice which will help you. Take time to listen and appreciate their wisdom. * Listen to their problems and try to find solutions if possible. * Offer your seat in a bus, help an elder cross the street, read the papers to them or help in whatever way possible. They will appreciate your kindness. |
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