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Decade of Healthy Aging in the Americas
Highlights
Older persons highlighted in various International Health Days in October
During the month of October, PAHO commemorated three international health days which placed older persons at the center. October 1st marked the International Day of Older Persons; October 29th marked the International Day of Care and Support and October 31st marked World Cities Day. More information below.
News
The United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2024 theme was: Aging with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support for Older Persons Worldwide'
This year's theme brought together experts to discuss policies, legislation, and practices that strengthen care and support for older persons. Through various events, it highlighted the urgent need to expand training and educational opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology, address the global shortage of care workers, and recognize the diverse contributions of caregivers. The commemoration also emphasized the importance of protecting the human rights of both caregivers and care recipients, promoting person-centered approaches to care that respect the dignity, beliefs, needs, and privacy of older persons, and for the right to make decisions about their care and quality of their lives.
PAHO observes International Day of Care and Support, calling for support for dependent people and their caregivers
On the inaugural International Day of Care and Support, PAHO called on governments and all stakeholders to implement policies that not only support dependent people but also strengthen the care workforce.
PAHO launches the Age-friendly environments virtual course on World Cities Day
PAHO recently launched a new virtual course on Age-friendly environments on the PAHO Virtual Campus for Public Health. This course, designed to promote age-friendly environments, has been met with enthusiasm from the public, attracting more than 1500 participants so far. The course has garnered positive feedback, with high satisfaction rates reflecting the relevance and impact of the curriculum. The course is available in Spanish and in the upcoming weeks will be available in English and Portuguese as well, and offers the necessary tools to strengthen national, provincial and/or local programs that seek to transform the communities in which older persons live and develop.
PAHO/WHO joins Alzheimer's Memory Walk
Staff of the PAHO/WHO Country Office for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands joined scores of people during the Alzheimer's Memory Walk on October 30th. Hosted by The Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association, the Memory Walk was a part of a series of activities geared towards bringing greater awareness to Alzheimer’s and dispelling myths about Dementia.
Publications
What is the Diabfrail-Latam project?
Diabfrail-Latam is an evidence-based program and an effective strategy to optimize the management of diabetes in older people. Watch the new video below to learn more about the program.
Upcoming events
Diabfrail Latam: Increasing Wellbeing in Older Adults living with Diabetes
- 12-13 November 2024
- via Zoom
- Simultaneous interpretation available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
During this two-day meeting, consortium participants and other stakeholders are invited with the objective of organizing the completion of the Diabfrail Latam project and reporting its results. A technical meeting will be held from the 12-13 to generate greater awareness and understanding of the importance of well-being and functional ability in the management of diabetes and other chronic diseases in older people, based on the learnings of the Diabfrail program implementation. The meeting will discuss best practices and innovative approaches to improve the care of older people with diabetes and multimorbidities and will promote the strengthening of collaborations between interested parties.
Other information
Age-friendly cities and communities in the Americas
As of October 31st, there are a total of 970 cities and communities committed to be age-friendly in the Region of the Americas.
Our newest members include Sarchí, Costa Rica and Toledo, Brazil. Welcome!
To learn more about age-friendly initiatives in the Region and worldwide, please visit the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities webpage.
