When 85-year-old Charles goes for lunch with his daughter, he feels invisible. The waitress asks his daughter what he wants to eat. Charles feels frustrated and powerless as if his voice has been snatched from him, without permission. This is just a small example of what aging without voice and choice means for older
Is happiness a right or is it just an ideal state? If it is a goal, how do we know when we’ve reached it? If the happiness lasts only a short time and then disappears, is the goal still reached? The United States in unique among countries in that it has enshrined the right
“If you want us to live a long life, make it so that we can actually live our lives!” This was a comment borne out of frustration but reflects well the general feeling in a recent discussion about older persons and justice. More than 30 people gathered to share stories of the injustice they’ve
“Live as if you are going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you are going to live forever.” --Mahatma Gandhi When we think of learning, school is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Tests, homework and grumpy teachers don’t make for a lot of positive memories. As we get older, though, we
Since 2010, a working group has been meeting annually at United Nations (UN) to develop a convention for the rights of older persons. This is great news. The global population is ageing faster than any other time in history, so coming to consensus is vital. The less good news is that after nearly a
We talk a lot about equality when we advocate for older persons. Equal access, equal opportunity, equal treatment. We measure equality by comparing older persons in different parts of the world, social classes and economic situations. We measure equality by comparing older and younger persons. Working towards the goal of a more fair, more
We are all experts on resilience. As a toddler, we fall, get back up and take another step. Most of us get at least a few rejections before landing our first job. Parents have to manage the often-baffling demands of their new little person while completely exhausted. But what about older persons? After such
We have long known the psychological consequences of long-term loneliness. Being isolated from others often leads to depression, anger, increased stress levels and poor decision making. Intimacy is an innate human need. We need to be touched, to be able to confide in someone and to give and receive help. We need to feel
There are currently 1.8 billion people in the world aged 10-24. That’s roughly 23% of the total world population. At no time in history has there been more young people on the planet. There has also never been as many older persons on the planet. Around 14% of the world’s population is age 60
One out of every 11 people on earth is currently 65 years old or older. This is excellent news. By 2050, the United Nation predicts the figure will be nearer one in six. Even better. Why? Because, an aging population, as Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA explained in a 2017 speech, “is the
