Age helps sums up HelpAge International’s core position – that older people are a benefit to society and a positive force for change.

This position is described more fully in our manifesto:

Age makes a difference

The experience. The expertise. With age comes a deep understanding of the way things were, the way they are, and the way they could be. The contribution older people make to society is invaluable.

Of course, growing older is not without its problems, which can prevent people from reaching their potential. We’re experts in age and the issues it can bring.

Driven by the desire to find solutions to the problems older people face worldwide, we campaign tirelessly to put these issues on the agenda of governments and the public the world over.

We work with and for older people to help them achieve good healthcare, financial security and inclusion in their communities.

We’re proud of our achievements to date, and the growing strength of our international network is helping us reach out to more people than ever before. We are helping age to make a difference to the world.  

How does “age helps” work in practice?

Age helps means putting older people at the centre of our programme, advocacy and communications work. Here are some examples:

• Create opportunities for older people to get their voices heard
• Consult older people in developing projects
• Collect evidence of older people’s contribution to society
• Challenge negative attitudes towards older people
• Make offices accessible and welcoming to older people
• Use communications channels that older people use, such as radio
• Run campaigns to generate public support for older people
• Support a convention on the rights of older people.

Age helps also means putting in place age-friendly employment policies. And it means encouraging more organisations to join the HelpAge network and adopt the age helps position.

Find out more about our age helps position by downloading Ageways 73: Age helps here.