This title is a tilt of the hat to October 14th’s upcoming World Sight Day, which is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of October. Originally, the day was initiated in 2000 by the Lions Club International Foundation’s SightFirstCampaign. More on that to come on October 14th.
As we enter into October, we remind ourselves that we are fortunate to have our community here in support of us. We are fortunate to be in a more rural area as the pandemic continues along. We are fortunate to be here. October brings with it fall weather, Halloween festivities, and a host of awareness initiatives. October is the awareness month dedicated to a number of important things: National ADHD, Breast Cancer, Bullying Prevention, Domestic Violence, Down Syndrome, Liver, Healthy Lung, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Rett Syndrome, SIDS, Spina Bifida, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness. These are just a few and the list is not all encompassing and the list is only including what Awareness Month October is. As you can imagine, there are countless health and healing related topics that need more attention brought to them. Through the month of October, we will explore a number of important topics together that includes awareness month topics as well as special dates and weeks.
Let’s first dive into what October 1st is the International Day of Older Persons as well as the International Day of Coffee. Although the latter isn’t technically related to health, it plays an important role in my own personal mental health, so I felt it appropriate to add in here for a little light-heartedness before we jump into the Day of Older Persons.
Each year on October 1st, we celebrate and bring information to one another about Older persons and issues that may be negatively impacting them. This year’s theme is Digital Equity for All Ages, bringing the need for access to the digital world for older persons. Digital inclusion should encompass meaningful participation of older persons in the online world. Although they grew up in a world without Internet and without the many gadgets that many of us seem to have, the ability to connect with others at the touch of a button can do wonders for mental health, particularly in those who are consumed with fear of leaving their home.
On the other hand, those with access to the digital world also may need increased protection from evil people who may take advantage of them. Scammers have been around as long as the Internet has and with elderly being online, we have a duty to try and protect them from scammers who take advantage of some people’s innate trust in others.
I won’t dive further into the topic of digital inclusion as I feel I won’t do it justice and am not totally understanding of it. As such, I feel it is best to leave you with this link to the United Nation’s Webpage dedicated to Older Persons Day #UNIDOP2021.
