India, Oct. 1 -- Across cultures and continents, societies have long upheld the value of respect for older persons. In many traditions, intergenerational care is seen not just as a family responsibility but a moral foundation. However, as demographic change accelerates globally, traditional cultural norms alone are proving insufficient to meet the growing and evolving needs of ageing populations.

As we head to the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, countries face a pivotal moment: Whether to address population ageing with the urgency and structure it demands, or risk falling behind as demographic shifts outpace policy responses.

By 2050, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to nearly double globally, reaching ...