BASW Celebrates International Day of Older Persons
Wednesday, 1 October is United Nations global day of Older Persons. A celebration of later life, ageing and the contribution older people make to our world. And a day to take action against ageism.
This year's theme is "Older People Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, our Wellbeing, and our Rights."
Janet Walker, Chair of BASW International Committee, writes:
“As social workers we recognise the critical role that older adults play in current and future societies and economies. However, global and ‘local’ political, social and economic issues impacting countries around the world are challenging and dismantling the systems and programmes in place to support people as they age.
"As a global community we must strengthen opportunities for older people, improve their rights, have their voices heard and contribution recognised, value and empower older people.
"Read our BASW blog below to mark UN Day of Older Persons written with the Special Interest Group on Social Work and Ageing."
Let's celebrate all the ways that people in later life contribute to our world
It is a changing world. We celebrate that by 2050 over 2 billion people will be aged 60 and over. Eighty per cent of older people will be living in low and middle-income countries.
With population ageing comes the need for services, support, affordable and adequate housing, a trained workforce, social protection, and a commitment to respecting the rights of older adults. Changing age structures, access to support, family structure and socioeconomic situations are opportunities for innovative practices. Globally there are ongoing efforts to create a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People to strengthen protections for Older People.
The theme for older people is reflected in the theme for World Social Work Day 2025 – Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformational Change – emphasising the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community led approaches grounded in indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with nature – and the vital role of older people through community based wisdom, collective well-being and a focus on reciprocity, solidarity and reflection.
Graham, an Expert by Experience and member of the Special Interest Group on Social Work and Ageing writes:
What’s new
In your community, in older age,
How do you fit in and what’s the measure?
As a giver, a taker, possibly the local sage,
Perhaps a mixture of all three, whatever, you’re a treasure.
In more youthful days, some 60 plus years ago,
Jagger thrilled many with his rock-n-roll,
And like many, he’s showing no signs of going slow,
Sharing his intergenerational appeal with those enrolled.
Wake up, it’s time to collect the grand kids,
The future generation nurtured by the past,
In The helter-skelter of life we’re adding to its contingency,
Long may this exciting purpose last.
In our country, older people provide care, volunteer and promote a sense of community. This is something we all benefit from.
Social workers uphold dignity, rights and wellbeing at every age. We work in partnership to enable everyone to thrive. And a thriving society includes older people.
Social workers often work with the most marginalised older people. We can make a commitment to empower them to flourish.
And we can celebrate all the ways that people in later life contribute to our world.
Find out more about BASW's Special Interest Group on Social Work and Ageing here.