Introduction – World Senior Citizens Day also known as National Senior Citizens Day in the United States, is celebrated every year on August 21 to honor the contributions of older individuals or senior citizens in society across the world. This international day provides an opportunity to show gratitude towards senior citizens for their accomplishments, services, and dedication across the world. It is also observed to bring attention to several issues which affect the elder people, including health issues and also abuse by youths, whether family or outsiders in the society.

History – United States President Ronald Reagan signed an announcement that Senior Citizens Day will be observed on August 19, 1988. After that, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) announced that World Citizen Day is celebrated every year on August 21 worldwide. The main purpose of this day is to highlight the achievements of older people in their country.

Significance – As per the United Nations, the population of elderly people is projected to reach over 1.5 to 2 billion worldwide in the year 2050. Youngsters may also respect their elders, whether family members, neighbors, or anyone else. Nowadays, several old people face several challenges, including health issues, avoidance by their family members, abuses by their sons and daughter-in-law, and many more in society across the world. Presently, there is a rapid increase in the cases of murder of elderly people who are living alone in their homes. Sometimes, elderly people were harassed by young individuals in any public place or on public transport.

Elderly people may be abused physically, psychologically, and through cruel behavior in society, but the main issue of elder abuse cases, especially by their relatives, is not reported. Family members, especially children and youngsters, may abuse their parents and grandparents physically and mentally at their homes, which was not reported. Many younger individuals may abuse their parents or older individuals in their homes for property, and it is the main cause of elder abuse in our society. Presently, young individuals consider their parents or elderly people a burden and send them to old-age homes. Thus, presently, old age homes are full of old people who may be sent by their children, and the main issue of elder abuse in our society.

Governments should take action against those young individuals who harass their elders across the world to reduce the harassment of old people. Thus, the main purpose of this global day is to raise awareness about the difficulties that are faced by senior citizens across the world. Police should also take care of old people by protecting and taking action against those young individuals who abuse their parents or older individuals in our society.