Global Ageing, Local Commitment: Why Shared Solutions Matter
At Libertana, we understand that while ageing is a shared human experience, the way older adults are supported varies dramatically from place to place. From Los Angeles to Lagos, the realities of ageing are shaped by access, equity, and community investment.
Ageing challenges are not confined by borders—and neither are the solutions. That’s why we’re lifting up the insights of Dr. Leon Geffen, director of the Samson Institute for Ageing Research, whose global work underscores the urgency of rethinking how we deliver care for older populations—especially in resource-limited settings.
A Growing Global Reality
By 2050, more than 2 billion people worldwide will be over the age of 60, with 80% living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite this rapid growth, healthcare systems in many of these regions remain under-resourced and underprepared to meet the needs of older adults.
Dr. Geffen points out a key challenge: some areas in sub-Saharan Africa have just one doctor per 5,000 people. While the scale is different, the issue feels familiar. Right here in Los Angeles, many communities face their own version of this inequity—where access to geriatric care is uneven, and critical services are out of reach for low-income or marginalized populations.
Community-Driven Solutions That Work
Dr. Geffen’s approach aligns closely with our values at Libertana: empower communities, adapt care models, and focus on what matters most to individuals and families.
- Smarter Assessments, Broader Access
In parts of Africa, his team developed a tool that allows older adults—or their families and community health workers—to conduct basic health assessments themselves. This makes care more accessible in places where medical professionals are scarce. It’s a scalable, person-centered model—one that echoes our belief in meeting people where they are with tools and support that work in real life, not just on paper. - Peer Support and Human Connection
The AgeWell program in Cape Town trains older adults to support one another, reducing loneliness and building confidence. At Libertana, we see similar magic happen when older adults in our communities engage in peer programs or support groups—it strengthens the social fabric and improves emotional and mental well-being. - A Roadmap for All
Dr. Geffen also contributes to the World Health Organization’s UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, helping shape global strategies to ensure that older people everywhere—regardless of income or location—can age with dignity, purpose, and support. It’s a mission we share deeply.
Throughout California: A Shared Responsibility
At Libertana, we’re proud to serve diverse communities throughout the state of California, many of whom face ageing with resilience but also with limited resources. What Dr. Geffen’s work reminds us is that we’re not alone in this challenge. We believe in a future where ageing well isn’t a privilege, but a right. Where community, culture, and care come together to support people as they age—wherever they live.
Because the most powerful solutions are the ones we build together.
