It has been projected that by 2050 there will be 28,500 people aged over 80 years living in Fiji.
Speaking at the opening of the National Council for Older Persons meeting, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar says in other words there will be older persons in Fiji compared to children under the age of 14 years.
Akbar says the challenge for the National Council for Older Persons is to raise awareness on the family values.
She says it is her humble plea to the families and communities to provide a safe, healthy, caring and supportive environment for senior citizens.
She adds it is sad to see that number of senior citizens in residential care homes continue to increase.
She says everybody needs to be involved to ensure that senior citizens are given the respect and dignity that they need at this stage of life.
Akbar reiterated that senior citizens must be kept within the vicinity of their homes with their families and with their loved ones.
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