World Senior Citizen Day 2023, History, Significance, Theme

World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated on August 21 every year to raise awareness of the contributions of older adults to society. Check World Senior Citizen Day 2023 History, Significance & Theme.

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World Senior Citizens Day 2023

World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated every year on August 21st for honoring the priceless contribution made by the senior citizens. Senior citizens are those individuals who have attended the age of 60 years. They are significant because they impart happiness, knowledge, and experiences to us. Senior citizens make significant contributions to society and show us the value of living kind and compassionate lives. Without our parents and grandparents, our lives would be lacking.

World Senior Citizen Day being an opportunity in order to create an opportunity for spreading awareness on elderly abuse and age deterioration of senior citizen in entire world.

History of World Senior Citizens Day 2023

The initiative of Ronald Reagan, a previous American president, is credited with starting World Senior Citizen Day. August 21st was proclaimed National Senior Citizens Day in the United States by President Reagan in 1988. The goal of the day was to recognize the nation’s older citizens for their accomplishments and efforts while also emphasizing the significance of policies and programs that promote their wellbeing.

World Senior Citizen Day began to be observed outside of the US and eventually became a worldwide event. The significant contribution that elderly individuals provide to society, including the preservation of cultural legacy and mentoring of younger generations, is acknowledged by people all around the world. As a result of this acknowledgment, World Senior Citizen Day was declared a global holiday.

Significance of World Senior Citizens’ Day 2023

World Senior Citizen Day is significant on two levels. It is a day set aside to recognize the accomplishments elderly adults have made to society. In every aspect of life, from having families and starting businesses to serving in the military and running governments, senior individuals have made major contributions. Additionally, they have educated newer generations with their experience and expertise, which has influenced the world we live in today.

Second, the purpose of World elderly Citizen Day is to increase public awareness of the problems that elderly citizens confront. Senior citizens are becoming more prevalent as society ages. Resources including housing and healthcare are under pressure as a result of this. Seniors are more prone to experience crime and abuse than younger people. On World older Citizen Day, we have the chance to lobby for legislation that will enhance the lives of older persons and spread awareness of these problems.

World Senior Citizens’ Day 2023 Theme

World Senior Citizens’ Day 2023 theme for this year’s is – “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World”. Digitalization has revolutionized our living criteria. Older persons are far behind in the usage of these modern digital technologies.

Challenges faced by Senior Citizens

Healthcare: Chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke are increasingly prevalent among older people. They are also more likely to require long-term care, like that provided in a nursing home.

Financial stability: The financial resources of many seniors are constrained. They might have retired with a fixed salary that is insufficient to support them.

Isolation and loneliness: As people age, they could lose friends and relatives. They might also grow more cut off from society.

Ageism: It is the treatment of individuals differently based on their age. Ageism may be a problem for senior citizens in work, housing, and healthcare.

Senior Citizen Day 2023 in India

Anyone who has reached the age of sixty or older is considered a senior citizen in India. Senior citizens are simply people above the age of 65, especially the retired. Citizen Day is a time for celebration, introspection, and engagement.

It highlights the important impact older people have on us and emphasizes the need of identifying and meeting their needs. In addition to upholding their obligations, we work to create a society that values the information and experiences that people have gained during their lives.

Government Schemes for Senior Citizens

Government of India has launched several schemes for benefiting the senior citizens of the country in order to honour protect them and to honour them for their contribution to this country. Some of the schemes are mentioned below:

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

A social sector program that is a component of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which went into force on August 15, 1995, is the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), formerly known as the “National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)”. This program offers social help to the elderly. For purpose of claiming central assistance, the following criteria shall apply:

The age of the applicant (male or female) shall be 60 years or higher
The applicant must belong to a household below poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.

Vayoshreshtha Sammans – A Scheme of National Award for Senior Citizens.

Senior citizens are the focus of the National Award for Senior Citizens Scheme (Vayoshreshtha Sammans), which was introduced in 2005. The Central government provides funding for the Scheme. Eminent senior citizens and organizations who provide outstanding services for the benefit of the elderly are eligible for this program. Contacting the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will enable institutions and senior citizens to take advantage of this program.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Its goal is to create a society where seniors have fulfilling lives that are supported by strong social networks and cross-generational relationships.Implementing Sections 19 and 20 of the 2007 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act is the purpose of the plan. The State Government may establish and maintain as many old age homes at accessible locations as it may deem necessary, in a phased manner, starting with at least one in each district, to accommodate in such homes a minimum of 150 senior citizens who are indigent. This is stated, among other things, in Section 19 of the Act.

World Senior Citizen Day 2023 FAQs

What is World Senior Citizen Day?

The achievements and contributions of the mature people of our country are recognized on World Senior Citizens Day.

What is the age of senior citizens?

An individual resident is considered a senior citizen if he/she is between the ages of 60 to 80 years.

What are the advantages of turning 60?

There are perks to turning 60. Many benefits are applicable only to senior citizens. Extra coverage is granted to senior citizens for healthcare expenses.