He believes that family relationships have a particularly powerful influence on an older person’s wellbeing.
“The immediate circle of society that influences an elderly person the most is their family. In reality, older people do not go out frequently, they spend most of their time within the four walls of their home, making the daily interaction with their children and grandchildren profoundly impactful.”
Even a simple question can make an older person feel valued and included.
“For instance, a simple word of encouragement from our children or grandchildren, like ‘Grandpa, how are you feeling today?’, can instantly lift our spirits.”
Chương believes greater awareness across society can help strengthen these relationships.
“Therefore, if society exerts a positive influence on the younger generation, those younger generations will undoubtedly treat the elderly with greater care and respect.”
Why rights matter in older age
Chương believes that legal protections must be accompanied by measures that help people understand older people’s rights and put them into practice.
“We must guide people toward a legal framework, as only rule of law can guide the collective mindset.”
He points to existing laws that recognise principles such as respecting older people, while emphasising the need to make those protections easier for everyone to understand.
“However, we now need supplementary measures to make these laws easier to understand, recognise, and grasp. This ensures proper conduct toward senior citizens, while also reminding the elderly of their own responsibilities.”
For Chương, rights and participation go hand in hand. He wants older people to receive care and respect, while continuing to contribute to society.
“Beyond our rights to live and to receive care from others, we must also continually improve ourselves and continue serving society.”
His words reflect several of the rights older people are seeking to see protected through a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, including the rights to dignity, participation, care and respect.
Hope for a more harmonious future
Chương looks towards the future with optimism, but he believes positive change depends on people taking action now.
“We must maintain our hope. We need to believe that tomorrow will undoubtedly be better than today, and that everyone – including ourselves, must take action starting today.”
He hopes future generations will experience greater understanding between older and younger people. Rather than expecting one generation to conform completely to the ways of another, he calls for mutual respect and accommodation.
“Older generations cannot force the youth to live exactly as they did in the past – that is simply impossible. At the same time, the youth cannot expect the elderly to follow modern ways blindly either.”
“There must be a mutual understanding that fosters harmony within the family, where both the old and the young accommodate each other. That, ultimately, is the greatest source of happiness.”
As discussions continue on a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, Chương’s story is a reminder that older people’s perspectives must be at the centre of the conversation. Older people are not only calling for their rights to be recognised. They continue to support others, strengthen their families and serve society.
And for Chương, that future begins with hope and action:
“We need to believe that tomorrow will undoubtedly be better than today.”
