Getting Older!
The International Day of Older Persons is on 1 October 2021
by Brian Radcliffe
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To encourage us to think about older people in our community and what it means to get older.
Preparation and materials
- Further information about the International Day of Older Persons is available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/older-persons-day
- Optional: you may wish to gather some background information on the challenges that older people face and the support available. The Age UK website is an excellent source and is available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Assembly
- Ask the children, ‘What do you think it’s like to get older?’
Listen to a range of responses.
Some of the children might talk about being allowed to do more things, going to high school or getting a job. Encourage them to move on to thinking about older people in their families such as grandparents. - Ask the children if they are looking forward to getting older.
Listen to a range of responses. - Ask the children to think about things that people might not like about getting old.
Listen to a range of responses.
Responses may include health issues, physical changes, loneliness, coping with change and losing friends. - Ask the children to think about the good things about growing older.
Listen to a range of responses.
Responses may include having time to relax and enjoy a less stressful life; having time to fulfil ambitions; retiring from working; having freedom from responsibility; and being able to share a lifetime of experiences. - Explain that the International Day of Older Persons is on 1 October 2021. The United Nations established it as a day when we are encouraged to consider the situation of older people, value their contribution to our lives and tackle some of the issues that affect them.
- Point out that the proportion of elderly people in the world is growing every year. This is because, in some parts of the world, people are living longer and fewer children are being born.
- Explain that older people make a massive contribution to society.
Time for reflection
Encourage the children to think about the advantages of living in a society where people of all ages make vital contributions. Ask them to think about some older people they know who are special to them in some way.
Listen to a range of responses.
Responses may include providing childcare, skills, help, company, experience, leadership and so on.
Encourage the children to consider how they might provide something that adds to the life of an elderly person.
Responses may include the following.
- Providing company. Loneliness is an issue among some older people.
- Getting in touch by visiting or calling. Some older people, especially those living alone, can go for days without a conversation.
- Respecting their wisdom. Discussing problems and world issues with older people gives you the opportunity to draw on their experience and value it.
- Letting them know that you care. We can thank them for simply being there.
Point out that none of the above take much effort, but each one could mean an enormous amount to someone today.
Song/music
‘Circle of life’ from the film The Lion King, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GibiNy4d4gc (4.06 minutes long)
