ABSTRACT
Programme managers believe that older people are unable to participate and have no productive role. 'The affects both the human rights of older people and the possibilities for eradicating poverty because it ignores the actual and potential contributions of older people to the well being and survival of their families and communities'. Throughout the developing world, cultural norms consistently identify diminishing ability to work as the key criterion in defining old age for both older women and men. Poverty of the community and in the family remains the greatest threat to the security of older people. In maintaining their livelihoods older people contribute to the well being and livelihood of the household and family. Factors that reduce the assets and limit the capacity of older people to provide for themselves include diminished physical strength, poor health, low status, landlessness, absence of or limited family or community support, lack of capital, and lack of education or training opportunities.
