The theme calls on individuals to recognise the important role that older people play and challenges people to work towards a society that caters for all age-groups.
It is particularly crucial for southern Africa to commemorate this day because of the growing trend where older people, who should by now, be resting and being looked after , are playing an increasingly critical role - by taking care of their sick children, grandchildren and relatives.

Through volunteer work, transmitting their experience and knowledge to young people and helping their families with caring responsibilities, older people, especially women, are playing a critical role.  

Many old people are directly and indirectly affected by HIV although they are not directly targeted by most prevention and awareness programmes and some of them are also living with HIV.

Story Ideas for the media:

• Older people, like most other care-givers, rarely get any recognition for the role they play. They are often referred to as “unsung heroes.” This should be an opportunity to correct the silence and showcase the immense contribution they are making in the response to HIV, by allowing their voices to be heard. The media can speak to some grandparents and share their stories with the audience. This way they will not only get due recognition, but may also get some assistance, while policymakers may be forced to sit up and take notice.

• Some older people lack sufficient knowledge about protecting themselves when caring for loved ones who are living with HIV. As a result some of them touch open sores when they have cuts, among other things, thereby exposing themselves to HIV infection. HelpAge International has noted that most data on HIV prevalence is only given for adults aged 15 to 49. Journalists have the opportunity to raise awareness of such issues  and reinforce the need for educational programmes while promoting respect and validation for older people.

• There is a misconception that older people are safe from HIV infection. However it is known that older women are being infected by their spouses and partners who have indulged in unprotected sex with younger women, especially in the cities where they work, while their wives look after the homes in the rural areas. There is need to raise awareness of communities on the need to go for testing and advocate for safer sex when one is unsure about their partner’s activities even at older ages.

 Older people are important in any society. It should be remembered that during the food shortages of the last few years in Zimbabwe, many communities were able to survive because of the knowledge on how to prepare food from edible trees and plants, that older people who had lived through previous famine, were able to share. They guide younger people and with the amount of care work that they are doing, the importance of ensuring that they enjoy adequate levels of health, can never be over emphasised. Through media coverage, there is need to advocate for appropriate policies to be put in place.

• The International Day of Older Persons is not a very well known day on the calendar of events that the world commemorates. This is an opportune time for media to create publicity around it so that it can be better commemorated over the coming years 

                                                                                                                  
Sources:
www.aidsinfonet.org/fact-sheets/view/616
www.thebody.com
www.helpage.org
www.who.int/ageing/events/idop-rationale/en/index.html