Leadership Coalition on Aging
Join LCA to Celebrate International Older Persons Day October 1, 2019
Naples, FL – 9/25/19 – Join the Leadership Coalition on Aging (LCA) – an interagency coalition of more than 90 advocates committed to enriching the lives of Collier County seniors – in celebrating International Older Persons Day, Tuesday, October 1, 2019, as a means of promoting equality for society’s most vulnerable seniors.
“LCA was launched in 2012 to enrich the lives of area seniors and those who care for them through resource sharing, education, advocacy and community outreach,” explains Heather Baker, LCA chair, and founder of Connections for a Cause. “We give voice to seniors and, as such, we are proud to stand with other advocates around the globe in a show of solidarity this International Older Persons Day as we work locally on advocacy initiatives promoting health equality, affordable housing and respite care options for vulnerable seniors.”
The United Nations General Assembly established International Older Persons Day on December 14, 1990 to explore and address the needs of the elderly around the world. According to the UN, the 2019 theme, “The Journey to Age Equality”, is designed to:
· Draw attention to the existence of old age inequalities and how this often results from a cumulation of disadvantages throughout life, and highlight intergenerational risk of increased old age inequalities.
· Bring awareness to the urgency of coping with existing — and preventing future — old age inequalities.
· Explore societal and structural changes in view of life course policies: life-long learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, social protection and universal health coverage.
· Reflect on best practices, lessons and progress on the journey to ending older age inequalities and changing negative narratives and stereotypes involving “old age.”
It’s estimated that more than 700 million women and men are now over the age of 60 worldwide, a number that is expected to rise to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2 billion by 2050. “By 2050, 20% of the world’s population will be 60 or older, this has far-reaching implications socially, economically and politically so it’s crucial the faces of seniors across the globe are seen, their voices heard and their needs met, no matter their background,” concludes Baker.
An affiliate of Collier Senior Resources, the LCA’s membership has grown to more than 50 organizations serving seniors from charities, corporate entities and governmental agencies. Members have expertise in a broad spectrum of fields such as health and wellness, home care, legal, financial, senior living, counseling and support, veteran affairs, emergency response, community service, social services, recreation, transportation and more.
For more information about the Leadership Coalition on Aging, please visit www.LCAcollier.org.
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