1999 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS PHONE CARD

"Long Life" was the greatest gain of the 20th century. In this century the rapid increase in the number of the older people all around the world indicates a social phenomenon which had no pattern in the past.

The United Nations declared the year of 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. Its aim is to draw attention to the rapid aging of the world's population. The purpose of the year is to make the societies more sensitive towards the older people and to encourage the governments to improve policies for solving the problems on aging.

Aging concerns every individual as it is a process beginning with birth. For a long and healthy life it enforces all individuals to think of the old members of the society and also themselves. In other words, formulation and implementation of policies and services require collaboration and cooperation between sectors. These impose responsibility to public agencies and institutions, non-governmental organizations and all members of the society.

In our country the General Directorate of Social Services and Child Protection Agency plans, carries out, follows and coordinates the social services concerning the older persons.