WHO alarm over unmet care needs for elderly across globe

PEOPLE aged 60 years and above continue to experience unmet health care needs, whether they live in low-, middle-, or high-income countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT

On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the WHO said around two in three people who reach older age are likely to require longer-term support and care from others to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, moving around, or bathing.

The world health body called for action to not only strengthen but transform the way countries provide care and support for older people, especially as the halfway point of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is approaching.

By 2030, it is projected that one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over.

Furthermore, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries by 2050, making healthy ageing a truly global priority.