Is successful ageing possible?

There is no surprise that in complementing national development efforts, promoting an enhanced international cooperation is described as being essential to support developing countries in implementing the Madrid Plan of Action.

In this regard, the UN resolutions remind on a regular basis that the world community of nations is expected to support national efforts to forge stronger partnerships with civil society, including organizations of older persons, academia, research foundations, community-based organizations, including caregivers, as well as the private sector, in an effort to help build a stronger capacity on ageing issues.

In more specific terms, governments are invited to support the UN Trust Fund for Ageing meant to provide expanded assistance to developing countries upon their request.

Legitimate expectations

Due consideration has to be given to the situation of older persons in the post-2015 development agenda and to the expectations related to it.

In this respect, while not dealing concretely with the problems of ageing, the document entitled Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the UN Summit on September 25, 2015, advocates for creating an enabling environment at all levels for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity and requests Member States to take all necessary measures for promoting social protection and equal access to quality essential public services for all. This transformational agenda offers a historic opportunity to advance the rights and role of older persons in society as an integral part of the ambitious commitment to "leave no one behind."

At the same time, it should be reminded that the validity and topicality of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (1991) for future action must not be ignored or underestimated. The last two principles proclaimed in this document stipulate that older persons should be able to live in dignity and security and be free of exploitation and physical or mental abuse. They should be treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status, and be valued independently of their economic contribution.

It is often said that old age combines happiness and sadness, with less time wasted on anger and worry. Is it a real success?

While there is no generally accepted definition of successful ageing, it can be assumed that a person is deemed to have successfully aged if he or she lived free of disability or disease, had high cognitive and physical abilities, and was interacting with other people in meaningful ways..

In practical terms "successful ageing" can be interpreted as a prolongation of middle age. Chinese wisdom advises: "Do not be afraid of being old; only be afraid when your spirit becomes old."

In an optimistic way, Martin Buxbaum (1912-1991), an American poet and editor, asserted: "Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts."

In an even more optimistic manner Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), a great American poet, wrote: "We turn not older with years, but newer every day."