site.btaAging with Dignity and Strengthening Care Systems Mark International Day of Older Persons

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1. It has been celebrated since 1991 following the adoption of resolution A/RES/45/106 by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990, BTA’s Reference Directorate said here on Tuesday.

The celebration aims to raise awareness within the international community about the challenges faced by older adults and to recognize their contributions and involvement in society.

This year, the theme for the day is Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide. It highlights the urgent need for improved training and education in elderly care, addressing the global shortage of caregivers, and ensuring the protection of the rights of older individuals.

National Statistical Institute (NSI) data shows Bulgaria had 1,515,383 older people in 2022. Additionally, NSI data from September shows the number of retirees was 2,047,043.

In honour of the occasion, various events will be held across the country. Kardzhali nursing home has initiated a campaign under the slogan Spend Time with Grandma and Grandpa, marking both its 25th anniversary and the International Day of Older Persons, said the institution's director, Milena Kairiyakova.

Meanwhile, the Association Retina Bulgaria is organizing a roundtable in Sofia titled Your Action for People with Macular Degeneration. The event aims to bring attention to and discuss the collective steps stakeholders should take to prioritize age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in Europe and Bulgaria, as a public health concern, the organisers said in a press release.