Older people's voices

Our collection of older people's life stories capture the strength and resilience behind a lifetime of experience. 

Through these stories, older people are speaking out and we're listening. Read what they have to say and discover their hopes, challenges and contributions.

HIV and AIDS

Van Quang and Thi Tu care for their son who is HIV positive.

Read life stories about older people coping with HIV and AIDS.

Gogo Thokozile, 67, South Africa

Nguyen Van Quang, 70, and Vu Thi Thu, 68, Vietnam

Emergencies

Mahbud, 69 and his son Hisham, 52 now live in Zaatari camp in Jordan. Mahbud is partially paralysed and cannot chew the food provided in the camp. (c) Amandine Allaire/HelpAge International

Read more life stories about older people in emergencies.

Mahbud, 69, and Hisham, 52, Jordan

Dilmaya, 70, Nepal

Vladimir, 70, Ukraine

Typhoon Haiyan case studies

Rights

Meher, 95, from Bangladesh had no idea she was entitled to a pension.

Read more life stories about older people accessing their rights.

Meher, 95, Bangladesh

Hadija, early 60s, Tanzania

Nyamizi, 73, Tanzania

Work and pensions

Tubakwera, 58, from Uganda has seven grandchildren to support.

Read life stories about older people getting decent work and pensions.

Krishna, 75, Nepal

Safarbek, 98, Kyrgyzstan

Alejandro, 71, The Philippines

Health

Lipi, 62, received free healthcare from a HelpAge clinic (c) Mayur Paul/HelpAge International

Read life stories about older people's health.

Lipi Begum, 62, Bangladesh

Kakule, 68, Democratic Republic of Congo

Read the HelpAge blog