The United Nations uses the benchmark of 60 years
of age or above to refer to older people (UNFPA,
2012). However, in many high-income countries,
the age of 65 is used as a reference point for older
persons as this is often the age at which persons
become eligible for old-age social security benefits
(1, 2). This higher age category is less appropriate
to the situation in developing countries including
Africa where life expectancy is often lower than that
in high-income countries