In recognition of the world’s rapidly ageing population and the growing importance of older people in society, the United Nations has designated 1 October as the annual International Day of Older Persons.

Help the Aged celebrates this day and remembers the global importance of older people and their place and accomplishments in society.

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Help the Aged around the world

Help the Aged began life as an international organisation. Since its creation, the Charity has continued to work with its partner HelpAge International to create unique projects that meet the key needs of vulnerable older people.

Today, our work tackles poverty, isolation and neglect among older people in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia.

Age Demands Action

To mark International Day of Older People 2007, HelpAge International coordinated a global day of activism called Age Demands Action.

Delegations of older people from over 20 countries met their governments to call for better ageing policies in their own country and worldwide. Leading international campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu endorsed the campaign.

Help the Aged delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street calling on the UK government to help fund social pensions in developing countries through its overseas aid budget.

This year, the Age Demands Action campaign is calling for over-50s to be included in the UN's monitoring of HIV and AIDS. Support the campaign

Age Friendly Cities

Also on last year's International Day of Older Persons, Help the Aged was involved in the launch of the Age Friendly Cities Report.

This included a study of the urban environment for older people in cities around the world and a list of recommendations so that urban planning can be more age-friendly in the future.

With one million people turning 60 every month, and 80 per cent of these living in developing countries, the environments in which older people live need to adapt. 

Help the Aged funded the London element of the report.