Celebrating International Day of Older People 2026

Today, 1 October, is the International Day of Older People (IDOP). Established by the United Nations, the day recognises both the opportunities and the challenges of ageing populations, and promotes a society that works for people of all ages.

In the UK, the Centre for Ageing Better supports members of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities to mark the day. The network is a growing movement of over 110 places, home to more than 30 million people, that are committed to making their communities better places to grow older. This year's UK theme is "What's on your doorstep?", and organisations of all kinds are encouraged to celebrate local age-friendly work, raise awareness and look ahead to what more can be done.

A universal offer: HAPPI Hour

The Housing LIN is marking the day with a special HAPPI Hour webinar, A universal offer: International Day of Older People, which takes place this afternoon, 1 October, from 4pm to 5:15pm.

Co-chaired by Siobhan Casey, Older People's Commissioner for Northern Ireland, and Housing LIN CEO Jeremy Porteus, the session looks at how the four corners of the UK are approaching housing for older people. Speakers include Angela Currie (Hanover Scotland), Joanne Kirrane (Hedyn Wales), Kris Peach (Housing 21) and Elaine Unegbu, Chair of the Age Friendly Manchester Older People's Board. They will share the latest housing policy and practice developments that challenge ageism, followed by an audience Q&A and panel debate.

Register for your place now.

Resources on older people and housing

Today is also a good moment to highlight the Housing LIN's dedicated Older People and Housing pages, sponsored by MHA. They bring together resources to help you develop housing for older people strategies, forecast future demand, find examples of age-friendly good practice, and involve older people in service design, development and evaluation.

The pages are organised around key subjects including design, user involvement, diversity matters, strategy, provision, health and wellbeing, personalisation, and planning. Key resources include the government's Older People's Housing Taskforce report and the Housing LIN/Ipsos research on Older People's Housing Preferences, commissioned by Innovate UK. The latest additions cover topics such as the National Planning Policy Framework 2026, extra care housing, cohousing and rightsizing - all conveniently on your doorstep!

Whether you're a housing provider, commissioner, planner or older person, we hope you'll find something useful.