Kenya is set to hold its first national celebration of the International Day of Older Persons from September 30 to October 3. The event will bring together government officials, health practitioners, researchers, older persons, private sector organisations, communities, and other stakeholders for a four-day programme in Nairobi and across the 47 counties. The national activities will be centred at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).
The programme, themed “Advancing Healthy Aging and Older Persons' Rights in Kenya: A Coordinated Health, Social Protection, and Community Action,” will begin on September 30 with a session at KISE focusing on research on geriatric medicine, long-term care, and healthy ageing. 131 abstracts have been submitted for the research session, which will bring together evidence on issues affecting older persons.
On October 1 and 2, the national programme will feature the Silver Dignity Walk, a scientific and national conference, and an intergenerational village. The scientific conference will examine evidence on older persons, including case studies and issues around health, social protection, and rights. The intergenerational village will provide a platform for younger and older people to engage in discussions on issues affecting different generations.
The intergenerational village discussions will challenge stereotypes about ageing and allow younger and older people to discuss issues including retirement, caregiving, leadership, and the responsibilities of different generations. Topics will include whether retirement should be mandatory, whether adult children should care for their older parents, and whether older people should leave leadership positions to younger generations.
On October 3, activities will move to the counties, with celebrations and outreach programmes planned across the 47 counties. State department for Medical services Division of Healthy Ageing, Palliative care and older persons Peninah Ndonye said the county activities will seek to raise awareness of the rights and welfare of older persons, increase their participation in county activities, and improve access to integrated services.
More than 30 counties have confirmed plans to hold medical camps specifically targeting older persons and their caregivers. The activities will include medical camps, cancer screening, surgical operations, provision of assistive devices, and social protection awareness. Counties will also organise wellness activities, including sports and traditional dances involving older persons.
The national programme will also bring attention to issues such as health insurance, sanitation, age-friendly infrastructure, social protection, and ageism. Private sector organisations, including the Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation, Safaricom, and Sukun, will participate in activities supporting older persons. The discussions will focus on the three Cs for older persons: “cash, care, and compassion.”
Key points
- The event aims to build a sustainable national movement around health and inclusive aging.
- The programme will include discussions on elder abuse and the needs of caregivers.
- The organisers are calling on the media to cover both the Nairobi programme and county activities.
