The 30th anniversary of the International Day of the Older Person was recognized on 1 October 2020 and to mark the occasion, an online course was launched in the Virtual Campus of Public Health.
PAHO launched the ACAPEM course (International Accreditation of Competencies in the Care of Older People). The course provides training for health professionals, aimed at developing competencies for caring for older persons.
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Yitades Gebre, reflected on the 30th anniversary celebration.
“COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the health and rights of older persons in society. While the virus spreads among persons of all ages, older persons and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19.”
The PWR advised: “Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate Older Persons and commit to strengthen collective action to ensure the rights of older persons and respond to their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
“Dominica is implementing a full month of activities that include recognition of centenarians, a nation-wide celebration of grandparents, religious activities, radio programs, panels discussions etc. Barbados will be hosting on October 9th a National Conversation on Ageing and Elderly Affairs.”
Additionally, there will be a series of webinars targeting health professionals, hosted on October 6th, 15th and 22nd, at 2:30 pm EDT. The webinars, each 1h 30min in duration, will offer specific guidance and data on care for older persons, followed by a panel discussion between experts. Simultaneous translation will be available.
The links to the webinars can be sourced as follows:
- October 6th, 2020 webinar: https://www.paho.org/en/events/care-older-persons-during-and-after-covid-19-what-should-health-care-workers-primary-level
- October 15th, 2020 webinar: https://www.paho.org/en/events/care-older-persons-during-and-after-covid-19-what-should-health-care-workers-primary-level-0
- October 22nd, 2020 webinar: https://www.paho.org/en/events/care-older-persons-during-and-after-covid-19-what-should-health-care-workers-primary-level-1
Several other activities took place on the International Day of Older Persons. UN agencies, Member States, and civil society organizations attended three virtual events: Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hosted a conversation with Captain Tom Moore, a British Second World War veteran who raised almost £40 million for health workers earlier this year; a High-level Virtual Interagency Event and Human Rights Council side event in Geneva; and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the UN International Day of Older Persons in New York.
