World Day of Older Persons

Older people's dayWorld Older Persons Day is celebrated annually in Latvia on 1 October. This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1990 to raise awareness of the problems of older people.

Old people are treated differently. In the words, “old people everywhere we have honor.” In reality, when a certain age limit is reached, human morality literally pushes the elderly out of public life, without taking into account their creative and labor potential. The establishment of such a day and its celebration in Latvia is a centuries-old tribute to the traditions of respect and reverence for old age, it is a sign of recognition of the great merits of older people, their multifaceted contribution to the development of the state.

In accordance with the classification of the World Health Organization, the elderly includes the population aged 60 to 74 years, the old - from 75 to 89 years, to centenarians - 90 years and older. The new social status of a person in old age, caused primarily by the termination or restriction of work activity, changes in the very way of life and communication, difficulties in adapting to new conditions of life, requires special support, both social services of the state and just a number of living people.

Older people’s Day is celebrated in October, probably because the autumn of the year is identified with the autumn of life. Both these autumns – years and lives – popular film director Eldar Ryazanov advises to take gratefully. This advice is true and wise, because weeping and lamenting about the hardships of life are of little use. And sores - acquired, age and others - are unlikely to pass as a result of complaints, they can be cured only with good medicines, a good attitude and a kind word.

May the autumn of your life be warm and sunny!