|
 |
|
|
|
Let’s add life to their years, let’s not add years to their lives. |
|
Agewell endeavors to bring
about a change in the perception of old age and assist older persons to
move surely but steadily from helplessness and self pity towards -
Confidence, Respect & Mutual Caring.
Family is ideally the first school of virtue, and parents are often the
first teachers of their children. The values we learn from our family
life, will also make possible a good society. That is to say, we first
learn how to deal with other people in society from watching our parents
deal with each other, with our grandparents, and with us.
Therefore, it is very hard to imagine that a person who is devoid of
caring, or unwilling to care for, his/her own family members can be a good
citizen who will care for other people in the society. |
|
|
Agewell has been set up to initiate better interaction between the
generations. It endeavours to: |
-
Bring about a change in perceptions about Old Age.
-
Initiate steps towards older persons friendly
environment.
-
Evolve a sense of moral and social responsibility
towards older persons.
-
Advocate for the needs and rights of older persons.
-
Extend a helping hand to older persons wherever
required
|
|
Come !
Let’s make them relive their life by joining hands to add life to their
years. |
|
|
Agewell-National Employment Exchange for Older Persons |
|
Old age notwithstanding there
are goals to achieve. Agewell strongly subscribes to that view and sees a
tremendous opportunity in gainful re-employment. Many elders desire it
because they would rather not idle away their old age. Some aspire to it
because they believe they are still entirely productive citizens, for
others it is a means of survival. They may have sons not yet settled,
daughter not yet married, school or college going children who still have
to be supported. Ironically there are many jobs that could well use their
skills and expertise, and of course their years of experience. Agewell
attempts to bring the opportunity seekers and providers together. |
|
|
The Facts - Worldwide |
-
A demographic restructuring of
the world populace is underway.
-
United Nations estimates put
the number of those aged 60 plus at 600 million, i.e. 10 % of the world
population.
-
The number is expected to go
up by 2 billion by 2050.
-
The Economic Survey 2004,
states that the elderly population (65 plus) is expected to “rise sharply
by 2.6 per cent per annum from 45 million in 2000 to 76 million in 2020”.
|
|
|
The Facts - India |
-
No. of Persons 60+ in India
was 57 million in 1991 which is expected to reach 100 million mark during
next decade.
-
% of 60+ persons in total
population has also seen a steady rise from 5.1% in 1901 to 6.8% in 2001
and it is expected to reach 8.9% in 2016.
-
63% of the total elderly
population is in age group of 60-69 years, 26% in age group of 70-79
years.
-
11% in age group of 80 years
and above.
-
National figures also indicate
that incidence of widowhood is much higher among females who are 60+.
-
A significant number of senior
citizens come under the age group of 60-69 years who are generally active
and healthy.
-
A major proportion of this
group belongs to middle class, who are likely to be educated and probably
retired. This is also indicative of huge reservoir of human resource with
skill, experience and time.
-
Large number of women in
elderly population along with high incidence of widowhood and economic
dependence on other earning members also makes it necessary that gender
perspective is imparted to intervention strategies regarding old age
welfare
United Nation Principles for Older People
United Nations General assembly adopted the following Principles for Older
Persons
(Resolution No.46/91) |
|
|
To add life to the years that have been
added to life |
-
Older persons should remain
integrated in society, participate actively in the formulation and
implementation of policies that directly affect their well-being and share
their knowledge and skills with younger generations.
-
Older persons should be able
to speak and develop opportunities for service to the community and serve
as volunteers in positions appropriate to their interests and capabilities
-
Older persons should be able
to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential.
|
|
 |
|
|
