Today (Wednesday 1st October 2014) is International Older People’s Day

Today (Wednesday 1st October 2014) is International Older People’s Day.

As you may be aware there are nine protected characteristics including: age (older), age (younger), disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including gypsy travellers), religion and belief, and sexual orientation.

International Older People’s Day provides an opportunity to focus on the protected characteristic of age (older). There is lots of exciting work ongoing within Aberdeenshire in relation to this protected characteristic, an example of which is the “Going for Gold Dance With Me” Challenge.

The event involves participants from care homes, sheltered housing, very sheltered housing, community groups and day care services competing against each other in a dance off. Teams can be made up of up to 5 people – its seated dance so anyone can take part.

Every year Aberdeenshire Council celebrates International Older People’s Day by highlighting the contribution older people make to communities across Aberdeenshire.

Older people make up the majority of carers in Scotland with many caring for those younger than themselves. It’s not just caring for a family member where older people themselves make a difference.

Older people quite often are at the heart of the community they live in, providing vital services. Within the shire we have befriending services, men’s sheds and shopping services and other services that help older people. Many of the people who run the services are retired people.

Think about the community you live in. Many of the local groups, societies, and clubs are run by older people.

This year Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian, voluntary organisations and older people across Aberdeenshire signed a charter which contains a series of aspirations around the health and well being of older people.

The charter states that:

“Old age should be celebrated.

“Older people must be respected for their experience, wisdom and values.

“Older people should expect to be treated with dignity as individuals within the health and social care systems.”

The charter deals with issues around, health, safer communities, housing, transport, information and advice as well as older people having a voice. You can view a copy of the charter here

The idea of a charter came from the network of older people’s forums Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network were commissioned to set up by Aberdeenshire Council.

The purpose of these forums is to provide a route for older people to contribute to, and be consulted on, planning and developments in health and social care services that affect them.

Older people’s day is celebrated around the world. If you want to learn more about Older People’s Day please visit the official website