FIJI is the first country in the region to have an Ageing Policy which portrays her consideration towards the elderly.
President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said he was proud because it was only under this government that Fiji now had a national policy on ageing, which he understands covered four key thematic areas.
These include the ready recognition of the tremendous contribution of older persons to the country's social, cultural, economic and political sectors, the strengthening of the social assistance for older persons, healthy living and creating a supportive environment for the elderly.
Ratu Epeli said promoting their health, welfare and productivity would endorse a stable and secure livelihood and reduce the possibility of facing tiring challenges in their well deserved retirement.
According to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, the percentage of people over the age of 60 is about 7.5 per cent.
Ratu Epeli said if those over 55 years old were added to these percentage then the total percentage would be as much as 11.2 percent.
"That is quite substantial having over 10 percent requires a serious concern on our part.
"We need to know what we are all doing, what have been done for us and what should be done." However, Ratu Epeli said people may not have the same status of well-being but even that could be looked into.