Issues discussed in the material:
- When is Elderly Person's Day celebrated?
- What is the history and traditions of Older Person's Day?
- How to plan a program and organize events for the Day of Older Persons
From childhood we were taught that elders need to be respected and helped. And how great it is that there is another reason to remember this: the official holiday is the Day of the Elderly, which has been celebrated internationally since 1991. You can get acquainted with its history and traditions, as well as how to organize such an event to make the program for the Day of the Elderly interesting in our article.
The history of the Day of the Elderly
To celebrate the Day of the Elderly, the date of the beginning of the middle month of autumn was chosen - October 1, and now this holiday has become international. Why did you choose this particular number? Probably because the years of maturity have long been considered golden time, and autumn is also called golden time, so they decided to honor older people at this moment. The main purpose for which the holiday was created can be defined as the desire to understand what problems and difficulties older citizens most often face. And, of course, it is no coincidence that the image of an open palm, which is associated with kindness and help, was chosen as the logo.
They began to think about highlighting a special Day of the Elderly in the calendar in the seventies of the twentieth century. This idea was expressed by scientists whose subject of research was the aging of the planet’s inhabitants and how representatives of older generations influence the economic situation in the world.
The Scandinavian countries were the first to celebrate this day. A few years later, the United States also supported the initiative and set a special date for the celebration. And then the movement was given the green light around the world. The holiday was officially recognized in December 1990. This month, at a meeting of the UN General Assembly, resolution 45/106 was adopted, in the text of which the date of the International Day of Older Persons was set as October 1.
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The following year, the organization, in its resolution 46/91, adopted a number of principles for building attitudes towards older people, and in resolution 47/5, issued a year later, a declaration on the problems of aging was introduced. At the same time, the tenth anniversary of the International Plan of Action on Aging, adopted in Vienna, was celebrated. This document talks about providing elderly citizens with economic and social guarantees.
Finally, in 1992, the holiday came to Russia. By the resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation “On the problems of older people”, the first day of the second month of autumn was given the official status of the Day of the Elderly.
Why was the International Day of Older Persons invented?
First of all, this holiday was established as a tribute to older people, respect for their age, and also to once again draw public attention to the general problem of demographic aging and the opportunity to find ways to improve the quality of life of old people.
The category of older people includes all men and women who have reached retirement age. For men, this period begins at the age of sixty, for women at fifty-five. In Russia this figure is 21% of the total population.
For many people who have reached retirement age, going into retirement is a stressful factor, because it is from this moment that their life should change dramatically. With the end of his working life, he is deprived of personal development and a place for self-realization. Cash flows are significantly reduced and the range of opportunities is reduced, because in our country the level of pension payments is very low, and many things are simply unaffordable.
For a healthy and energetic person of post-retirement age , old age is a conventional concept . He can actively participate in social life and play sports.
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And it is very important for older people not to listen to advice and avoid various stereotypes that everything is behind and it’s too late to start anything. Even in adulthood, you can enjoy a full life and feel young and full of energy.
Traditions of celebrating the Day of the Elderly
It has become a good tradition everywhere to call your parents, grandparents, thank them from the bottom of your heart, confess your sincere love and talk about what worries them today.
On this day, television social advertising reminds young citizens, always busy with business, that their duty is not to forget about those who are the most important people in their lives, and at least sometimes call their moms and dads, who are really looking forward to this.
Of course, on this date, the heroes of the occasion receive attention not only from their children. All over the world, holiday programs are organized for the Day of the Elderly with concerts, festivals, charity exhibitions, performances, sports competitions, film shows and competitions. Pensioners are invited to events where they are shown entertaining films and have tea parties.
At congresses and conferences held on this day, politicians and scientists discuss issues affecting the older generation. One of the main topics is protecting the rights of older people on a global scale.
For the authorities, this date also serves as an occasion to demonstrate attention and announce another increase in pensions and the provision of various payments and benefits.
An important event is the speech of the UN Secretary General on October 1, the main idea of which is the need to ensure respect for the rights of the elderly population.
Events for Pensioner's Day 2021
Public organizations post a plan of events in advance, and a program is provided for each region. To view the list, you can go to the official websites of social government services in the region or call the administration of the district, city, village or any leisure center.
For example, in 2021, more than 1,350 events will be held in Moscow. Among the main ones are:
- holding a festive concert on October 2 in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior;
- a program honoring spouses who have been married for more than 50 years;
- festival of veteran groups and soloists “Songs of Past Years”.
The holiday is not only scheduled for October 1, all events cannot be held in one day, so unofficially the International Day of Older Persons will last from 3 to 5 days.
Poems for the Day of the Elderly
- Poems for grandma
- Poems for grandfather
- Poems for the Day of the Elderly from Children
How to organize an entertainment program for the Day of the Elderly
A program script is being prepared for the Day of the Elderly. The organization is taken over by local authorities and public institutions. It is very important to make the event memorable for everyone involved. The holiday is not carried out according to a single plan. This is where local traditions come into play. Some people like gatherings with tea, while in another city or town they traditionally organize street parties in the central square. Elderly people who are in poor health are congratulated right at home.
Old people should feel that society needs them: this is the main message of the holiday. Indeed, sometimes even from elderly citizens themselves you can hear that they are a burden for children and the whole world. But it shouldn't be like that! Programs for the Day of Older Persons solve the problem of attracting attention to these topics. Older people have a lot to learn, they have a lot of experience that they can pass on to younger people.
Recommendations for event organizers:
- Scenario.
People who have taken on the burden of responsibility for holding the holiday must understand that the main thing is sincerity and honesty towards older people. After all, they don’t need fireworks and lush tinsel. An elderly person is very sensitive to false notes in eulogies, and if the organizers are working just to tick the annual plan, then their event will fail. The assembled heroes of the occasion will find such an attitude offensive. More suitable occasions can be found for lavish celebrations. For example, if someone from the local community received a high rank or a well-deserved award. The best form would be to hold a warm, soulful evening, during which guests chat, share memories, and relax in their circle. For them, what is most important is sincere care and attentive attitude.
- Form of conduct.
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October 1st does not always fall on a weekend, so holiday events can be planned for a date that is convenient for everyone. There are no strict rules here, and you can gather older people any day soon. The specific time is coordinated with the rental of premises, the organization of transportation with accompanying medical personnel and volunteers, because sometimes the elderly need help, as well as the schedule of the artists. It’s good when students and schoolchildren participate in the event. Children's groups can be invited to perform. Old people should not feel isolated. This is a universal holiday!
The Day of the Elderly is a state event, so the participation of city or local settlement leaders must be included in the script. For the older generation, it is important to receive recognition of their merits and feel attention to their problems. But the speeches of the authorities should not occupy the main part of the holiday.
- Ideas.
It would be great if your event was attended by journalists from the local press. Representatives of the older generation will be very pleased with this attention, because they will then be able to see their photographs in newspapers or on the Internet on the city website. Celebrating the International Day of Older Persons serves the purpose of addressing the public with a kind of advertising of their heroic achievements, and it must be presented with tact and talent. A children's group can perform a theatrical production with scenes from the history of the country. It should be remembered that most of the lives of older people consisted of difficulties and overcoming them.
Of course, each person is fully connected with his country, but in this case it would be better to talk about the achievements and exploits of heroes from your city, village or village. When compiling a program, do not forget to allocate time for the interaction of invited guests - they should not remain only spectators. Give them the opportunity to talk about themselves and what they experienced. Let them share their views on the current situation. They will be especially grateful for this.
Undeniable facts about older people
When does old age, that is, old age, set in? Judging by generally accepted standards, this category includes people over 60 years of age. Officially, a person who is over 75 years old is already considered an old man.
But is it possible to judge age from passport data? Some people, even at the age of 70, remain a mischievous boyish grandfather or an enthusiastic and entertaining grandmother, while for others, “spiritual” old age comes already at 35.
In many ways, of course, the condition of older people depends on social status and material security, and this fact is undeniable. Healthy nutrition and expensive treatment, timely examinations and preventive health care, varied leisure and activities of interest are not available to every person after retirement.
But you must admit that in order to make airplanes with your grandson, plant strawberries in the garden beds and even write scientific papers, it is not necessary to focus on the lack of resources. How many happy grandparents run in the park in the morning, push strollers with their beloved great-grandchildren, or devote their free time to their favorite hobby.
After all, this is a wonderful age when children have already grown up, a career has been made, and a house has been built. And finally, the time has come when you can devote your life to yourself and your forgotten dreams.
And many older people do just that, surprising their acquaintances, and indeed all the inhabitants of the planet, with their achievements. It turns out that age is not at all a barrier to fame. And dreams are conquered by those who are confident and persistent.
Thus, the dream of the American nurse and later housewife Katherine Josten came true only at the age of 60. After the divorce, the lady plunged headlong into acting, achieving world fame and receiving 2 Emmy awards.
Old Colonel Sanders breathed life into the famous KFC restaurant chain when he was no longer 60. Having failed with his diner, the man did not give up, but created a unique recipe for baking chicken, thanks to which he gained popularity.
The first exhibition of Anna Maria Moses' paintings took place when the American grandmother turned 80 years old. The lady remembered her hobby after the death of her husband and continued to write until she was 101 years old.
Old lady Nola Ochs received her first higher education at the age of 95, returning to her interrupted studies after 73 years.
And history knows quite a few such facts. Historians and scientists, millionaires and athletes, artists and writers became famous and rich after the age of 60.
But not all people, having reached retirement age, rush headlong to conquer new heights. For most, such life changes become a huge stress. To remain is not destiny, to become a burden, to lose the opportunity for self-realization, to feel unnecessary or, in general, superfluous - this prospect frightens many.
Caring children and grandchildren can support and make it clear that life goes on. Therefore, it is so important to involve your elderly relatives in any field of activity.
Do not refuse help, trust your elders - their irreplaceable experience will be a good help in life, and for them such activity will be akin to a second wind.
For some retirees, on the contrary, there is time for playing sports, participating in public and social life. And according to survey results, the dream of many old people is travel and, of course, health, and single people are not averse to getting into romantic relationships.
