Millions of older people across the world face chronic poverty, untreated illness, homelessness or inadequate shelter, violence and abuse, lack of education, little or no access to the law, fear and isolation. Older people face strenuous and abusive circumstances that deserve attention.

Almost all societies all over the world discriminate against people on grounds of age. In developing countries and in eastern and central Europe, most older people live in chronic poverty. Abuse of older people can range from physical violence to psychological pressure, and is a major unacknowledged problem, especially within families.

We live in an era of unprecedented, rapid and inexorable population growth. Growing old, once the sole prerogative of 'developed' countries, is now a shared benefit of development worldwide.

By 2050, one in five people worldwide will be over 60. We must learn to care for our elderly well.

One day, it will be us.

• 04/12/2007 09:52
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