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1999 International Year of Older Persons

by Charmaine Spencer

1999 celebrates the United Nations' International Year of Older Persons, "in recognition of humanity's demographic coming of age". World demographics have been changing significantly and will continue to do so into the 21st century. In Canada, for example, the number of people aged 65 and over will increase from about 3.7 million in 1996 to nearly 10 million in 2041. The proportion of the total Canadian population over 65, will increase from around 12% to more than 20% in the same period. Our oldest-old (those 85 and over) today account for less than 10% of seniors today, but they will constitute over 16%of this population in 2041.

These numbers and percentages are important for our society to consider when imagining how we will treat each other in the future. In the past few years, there has been considerable media attention given to these demographic changes. In particular, some people have voiced concern that in the near future, there will be "too many seniors" for Canadian society to support, that they will be consuming "too much health care" and that we will be paying out "too much in pensions". These kinds of statements and conclusions, better known as "apocalyptic demographics" are not only simplistic and fundamentally false, they set the stage for ageism and abuse, pitting one generation against another. They deny that seniors are entitled to health, security and respect. They create a myth that we cannot afford to pay for our older society. They reinforce the erroneous belief that by helping seniors, we are jeopardizing our children. They also assume that we cannot aim for a world where all people are entitled to social justice.

The International Year of the Older Person gives us an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the numerous and diverse ways that today's seniors have contributed to the world.

In the present, we see their considerable contribution to families, sharing knowledge and insights from one generation to another. Seniors pay billions of dollars in taxes and give millions of hours of volunteer work each year. While some seniors (because of poor health or situation) need help and assistance, their need contributes to our society through the jobs that are created to provide the services for them.
IYOP also gives us an opportunity to reflect on seniors' past efforts. Today's seniors were yesterday's young men and women, who built countries and economies. Unfortunately, we tend to forget that, and in much of the world, seniors are treated as burdens and disposable people.

Nationally and internationally, Canada has lagged behind other countries in acknowledging seniors' special contribution and their importance to our world. It was only eight years ago that the first international statement on seniors developed in United Nations' Principles for Older Persons (Resolution 46/91). Its principles emphasize:

• our social and political responsibility to help older adults' maintain their independence and autonomy
• that we should strive for the highest possible level of physical, mental and spiritual well-being for older adults
• the need to assure the integration of older adults and to assure their active participation "in a society for all ages", and
• very importantly, the recognition that "human rights and dignity for all" includes older adults.

In establishing 1999 as the International Year of the Older Person, the United Nations has begun to recognize the complexity and rapidity of the ageing of the world's population. This important year will hopefully become a starting point for the protection and promotion of the rights of older people, including the contribution that they can and should make to society.