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Celebrating Our Elders: National Seniors Day and International Day of Older Persons
Every October 1st, Canadians join people around the world in honouring a group that deserves our gratitude every day—older adults. On this date, we mark both National Seniors Day in Canada and the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons, creating a shared moment of appreciation that is as local as it is global.
This day is not only about recognition; it’s about reflecting on the aspirations, contributions, and rights of seniors in Canada and around the world. It’s about saying: we see you, we value you, and we will continue to create spaces where you can thrive.
At Just Like Family Home Care, we’ve been walking alongside Canadian seniors and their families since 2010. Over the years, we’ve seen how much seniors continue to shape our communities. Their resilience, humour, and wisdom ripple through families and neighbourhoods, reminding us that aging is not about slowing down—it’s about continuing to make an impact.
Why October 1st Matters for Seniors and Communities
National Seniors Day in Canada
National Seniors Day was officially established by the Government of Canada to give people a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the older persons in their lives. For many, that means thanking parents or grandparents. For others, it means honouring mentors, neighbours, or colleagues who have left a lasting mark.
The day encourages Canadians to show appreciation in their own way. Some communities hold public events; schools may organize intergenerational activities; families might gather around a table and share stories of the elders who came before them.
For a country like Canada—where seniors represent a growing proportion of the population—this day also underscores the importance of creating systems and communities where healthy aging is possible for all.
International Day of Older Persons: A Global Perspective
On the same date, the International Day of Older Persons broadens this celebration. Declared by the United Nations in 1990, it reflects a universal truth: the contributions of older persons cross borders and cultures.
The UN’s observance highlights that this is not just a Canadian value, but a global one. Whether in Toronto, Lagos, or Tokyo, October 1st calls on societies to recognize older adults as vital, active members of their communities.
Understanding the 2025 Theme: Older Persons Driving Change
This year’s 2025 International Day of Older Persons theme—“Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights”—captures a shift in perspective.
Instead of viewing older adults as passive, the theme celebrates them as agents of change. Seniors are not on the sidelines; they are at the centre of conversations about policy, advocacy, and community development.
Why This Theme Matters Now
The statistics are compelling:
- The global population aged 65+ has more than tripled in just over four decades, growing from 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021.
- By 2030, older persons will outnumber youth worldwide for the first time.
- Roughly 70% of informal care worldwide is provided by women—an often invisible contribution that carries personal and financial costs.
- In April 2025, 81 UN Member States backed the creation of a working group to draft a binding treaty protecting the human rights of older persons.
Behind each statistic is a story: a grandmother who mentors her granddaughter, an elder who leads a community garden, a retired worker advocating for affordable housing. This year’s theme recognizes these lived realities and places them in a global context.
The Real Impact: How Seniors Shape Our World
It’s easy to focus on the challenges of aging—mobility, health, or financial pressures. But the truth is that older adults continue to shape our world in profound ways.
Living Libraries of Knowledge
From Indigenous elders sharing oral traditions to retirees mentoring young professionals, seniors carry knowledge that enriches our understanding of history, culture, and community.
Economic and Social Contributions
Many seniors still work, whether full-time, part-time, or as entrepreneurs. Others volunteer or provide unpaid care for grandchildren, making family life possible for working parents. Their presence supports both households and the broader economy.
Building Bridges Across Generations
Intergenerational connections are powerful. A child reading with a grandparent, a teen learning skills from an older neighbour, or a young worker guided by an experienced mentor—these moments create empathy and understanding that ripple outward.
Advocates for Change
Seniors also step into the role of advocates. From climate activism to human rights campaigns, older persons bring both perspective and urgency. They remind us that the fight for justice is lifelong.
Confronting Ageism: Changing How We Think About Aging
One of the greatest obstacles facing seniors in Canada isn’t physical—it’s ageism.
What Ageism Looks Like
Ageism can be subtle: jokes about “senior moments,” assumptions that someone isn’t tech-savvy, or portraying older persons as dependent and fragile. It can also be systemic: employers overlooking qualified candidates because they’re “too old,” or health systems underestimating seniors’ ability to recover and thrive.
Why It Matters
Ageism is more than disrespectful—it limits opportunities and erodes dignity. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, dismantling ageism is essential to supporting healthy aging.
How to Counter Ageism
- Check personal biases. Ask yourself what assumptions you hold about age and ability.
- Celebrate achievements. Highlight stories of seniors thriving in all areas of life.
- Create inclusive spaces. From workplaces to community groups, make participation possible for people of all ages.
- Recognize rights. Seniors are rights-holders—not burdens. Their voices belong in every conversation about the future.
Simple Ways to Honour Seniors on October 1st (and Every Day)
You don’t need a parade or a gala to show appreciation. Sometimes, the most meaningful gestures are the simplest.
- Pick up the phone. A quick call can mean the world.
- Offer practical support. Help with errands, digital tools, or small household tasks. For larger needs, home care services for seniors can provide consistent, compassionate assistance.
- Spend quality time. A walk in the park, a shared meal, or even quiet companionship shows seniors they’re not alone.
- Say thank you. Acknowledge their role in your family or community.
- Ask about their goals. Seniors have aspirations, whether that’s travel, learning, or community engagement. Supporting them matters.
- Advocate for change. Push for programmes for Canadian seniors that reduce isolation, expand healthcare access, and ensure dignity.
These small steps add up to a culture that values seniors—not just on October 1st, but year-round.
Supporting Healthy Aging in Your Community
Healthcare and Wellness
As populations age, demand for specialised care in areas like dementia, mobility, and chronic disease rises. At Just Like Family Home Care, we prioritize training caregivers to deliver person-centred support that balances medical needs with emotional care.
Social Connection
Loneliness is one of the greatest risks facing older adults. Intergenerational programmes, community volunteering, and companionship services provide ways to keep seniors connected and engaged.
Financial Security
Many older adults—particularly women who have spent years as family caregivers—face financial vulnerability. Protecting pensions and promoting elder financial literacy are essential for independence.
Accessible Environments
Neighbourhoods with ramps, benches, and reliable public transit allow older persons to remain mobile and engaged in community life.
Human Rights Protection
The 2025 theme emphasizes that seniors have rights: to autonomy, to dignity, and to freedom from discrimination. Communities thrive when these rights are respected and upheld.
Programs Making a Difference for Canadian Seniors
Canada has several important initiatives that directly support older adults:
- New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP): Provides funding for projects that keep seniors active, engaged, and connected. From fitness classes to community gardens, NHSP makes local impact possible.
- Connecting Families Initiative: Expands affordable Internet for eligible Canadians, helping seniors stay digitally connected to loved ones.
- National Seniors Council: Advises the federal government on policies that affect seniors’ health, well-being, and quality of life.
The NHSP alone has transformed communities across Canada, funding projects that range from cultural exchanges to skill-building workshops for seniors.
What Does “Driving Local and Global Action” Really Mean?
The 2025 International Day of Older Persons theme highlights how seniors drive change at every level.
- Local: From leading neighbourhood clean-ups to providing childcare for grandchildren, seniors are pillars of community life.
- Global: Older activists contribute to peace initiatives, climate advocacy, and human rights campaigns, offering decades of experience.
- Personal: Pursuing passions, setting new goals, and redefining well-being on their own terms.
Recognizing this means amplifying senior voices, supporting their aspirations, and creating space for leadership at every stage of life.
The Caregiving Reality: Supporting Those Who Support Others
Behind many seniors aging with dignity are caregivers—often family members balancing jobs, children, and their own health.
The Importance of Support for Family Caregivers
Caregivers need recognition and resources too. If you’re a caregiver, remember:
- You are not alone. Millions share this journey.
- Self-care is necessary, not selfish.
- Resources—from respite care to counselling—exist to help.
- Your work is vital. It preserves dignity and quality of life.
At Just Like Family, our respite care services provide family caregivers with the time and space to recharge, knowing their loved one is in capable, compassionate hands.
Looking Toward the Future: The UN Decade of Healthy Aging
We’re halfway through the UN Decade of Healthy Aging (2020–2030), an initiative designed to transform how societies think about and support older adults.
The goals are ambitious:
- Combat ageism.
- Develop age-friendly communities.
- Deliver person-centred healthcare.
- Provide long-term care access.
The momentum is growing. With 81 nations now backing a binding treaty to protect the rights of seniors, the global community is taking concrete steps toward a more inclusive future.
How Just Like Family Home Care Supports Active Aging
For more than a decade, we’ve been helping seniors in Canada live fully and independently in the homes they love. Our approach is rooted in compassion and respect.
We provide:
- Personal care that prioritizes dignity.
- Companionship to fight loneliness.
- Specialised care for dementia, Parkinson’s, ALS, and more.
- Post-hospital recovery to smooth the transition home.
- Respite support for caregivers.
- Light housekeeping and meals to support daily living.
But we are more than a home care provider. As a Certified Social Enterprise, we reinvest in our communities, advocate for systemic change, and champion the rights and aspirations of older persons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Seniors Day?
Every year on October 1st.
What’s the difference between National Seniors Day and the International Day of Older Persons?
The first is a Canadian observance; the second is a UN global observance. Both fall on October 1st.
How to celebrate National Seniors Day?
From family meals to volunteering, from community events to advocating for policy—there are countless ways to get involved.
What’s the 2025 International Day of Older Persons theme?
“Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights.”
What services are available for seniors in Canada?
Supports include OAS, CPP, GIS, provincial healthcare, and programs for Canadian seniors like NHSP.
How can home care help seniors maintain independence?
By offering daily support, companionship, and health monitoring, home care services for seniors enable aging at home with dignity.
How can we combat ageism in Canada?
Challenge stereotypes, advocate for inclusive policies, create intergenerational programmes, and celebrate seniors’ achievements.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
This October 1st, don’t just celebrate—act.
- Learn about challenges seniors face.
- Volunteer with organizations supporting older adults.
- Advocate for inclusive policies.
- Connect with the seniors in your life.
- Challenge ageist attitudes wherever you see them.
- Explore professional care options if needed.
- Support seniors’ goals and aspirations.
Building a Society for All Ages
Ultimately, the way we treat older persons reflects who we are as a society. By creating spaces where seniors can thrive—where their rights are respected, their aspirations supported, and their contributions honoured—we build a Canada that is stronger, kinder, and more inclusive.
This October 1st, 2025, whether you call it National Seniors Day or the International Day of Older Persons, let’s celebrate with more than words. Let’s celebrate with action—supporting seniors in Canada and around the world as they continue to drive change.
At Just Like Family Home Care, we’re honoured to be part of this mission. Together, we can create a society where aging is not something to fear, but something to embrace—with dignity, independence, and purpose.
How will you celebrate National Seniors Day and International Day of Older Persons? If you or someone you love could benefit from compassionate support, reach out to Just Like Family Home Care for a free consultation.