The International Day of Older People 2026

Every year on 1st October, International Day of Older People (established by the United Nations), asks us to think differently about ageing. The day recognises both the opportunities and challenges of ageing populations, while promoting the development of a society that works for people of all ages.

This year's theme for the UK focuses on local community: "What's on your doorstep?"

It's a good question, because, for many older people, the answer to it decides whether they can stay active, connected, and independent or whether they end up staying home and alone, more often than they'd like.

A chair, a sticker, and a welcome

In Nottingham, a scheme called Take a Seat has taken that question seriously. The idea is simple: local businesses put out a sturdy chair, display a sticker showing older people that they're welcome to sit and rest. 

Led by Nottingham City Council's Public Health team, the scheme now has over 60 cafes, charity shops, libraries, and theatres taking part. Inspired by a similar campaign in Manchester, it was designed to be low-cost and easy for any local business to join.

The impact goes further than a place to rest. People who use these seats talk about getting to know shop staff and other regulars, familiar faces they wouldn't otherwise have met. For someone managing a long-term health condition or reduced mobility, a five-minute break can be the difference between going out or staying in for the day.

It's a reminder that keeping older people connected to their communities doesn't always need a big budget or a new building – a simple gesture of providing a place to rest can create an inclusive environment. 

The bigger picture

Nottingham's scheme is a local answer to a national trend. The UK's population is ageing quickly – projections suggest that by 2065, over-65s will make up 26% of the population. People are living longer, often with more complex health needs, and the overwhelming majority want to manage those needs from their own home, rather than move into residential care.

• 19% (11 million) people in England are aged 65 and over
• 26% of the population will be aged 65 and over by 2065
• In 2023, 4.2 million people aged 65 and over lived alone in England

NHS policy reflects this. Care is increasingly being pushed closer to home, with community services expected to support people who would once have relied on hospital beds or long-term residential settings. That shift only works if the right support and equipment is in place to make staying at home safe and comfortable.

Pressure ulcers are one of the clearest examples of what's at stake. They're one of the NHS's most expensive preventable problems. In 2004, pressure ulcers were estimated to cost the NHS £1.4 billion–£2.4 billion per year, which was 4% of the total NHS expenditure (Wood, 2019).  With the right equipment and clinical protocols in place early, most of this is preventable. 

At Apollo Healthcare Technologies, we think about "doorsteps" too – just from a different angle. We design pressure area care equipment and support surfaces in partnership with clinicians, built to help people stay safe, comfortable, and cared for at home for longer.

That means working closely with Tissue Viability Nurses and community care teams to provide person-centred equipment solutions and being there with training and support.

Communities like Nottingham's are doing their part by making sure a seat is available when someone needs one. We see it as our job to make sure the right equipment is there too – so that staying at home doesn't come at the cost of comfort, dignity, or safety.

References

https://ageing-better.org.uk/our-ageing-population-state-ageing-2025

https://ageing-better.org.uk/take-seat-case-study-nottingham