WHO builds on the results of the World values survey, a survey of more than 83,000 volunteers from 57 countries. The aim of the study: to assess attitudes towards older people in all age groups. 60% of the participants evoke a lack of respect towards the elderly. However, most of these people are unaware of the stereotypes they unconsciously maintain with regard to seniors.
7.5 years less life for depressed seniors
Seniors believe they are a burden and increase their risk of depression and D’isolation. Another lesson from this research: the elderly who have a negative view of their aging would recover less well from a disability. Also, they would live 7.5 years less than seniors who live in a positive environment. It is in the highest income countries that the lowest levels of compliance are reported.
2 billion seniors in 2050
According to John Beard, Director of Aging and Life Course at WHO, we should stop defining people by their age. It would make our societies more healthy, more prosperous and more equitable. Social standards will have to change since by 2025, the number of people over 60 will have doubled. In 2050, seniors will represent 2 billion people in the world.
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