The Challenges and Priorities of an Ageing Society

We live in an ageing society where people are living longer and the balance of life is changing. For the first time there are more people aged over sixty than children under sixteen in many European countries. Most aged people can now look forward to many more years of healthy life after retirement than ever before. Our society is becoming more diverse. It expects more from public services. There are three areas related to the so-called “Third age” that the government should focus: medical care, financial security and social support.

Concerning medical care for elderly people we mean the fulfillment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens. This broad term encompasses such services as assisted living, adult day care, long term care, nursing houses and house care.

Regarding economic security, pensions should be consistent with the contributions paid by people all the time they were active workers (employee). But even elderlies who have not paid to get a pension because they did not work (like housewives) or for any other reason they should have a financial support from the government in the form of a monthly income, in order to live with dignity, if they have no other income.

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On social assistance, government should focus on the fact that the elderlies want to feel useful and participate actively in society. Through education system and of course through family, children have to learn to respect elderly people and see old age as normal and integral part of life.

Researches have shown that elderlies who live in high social support conditions have low score on depression and diseases related with the old age like Alzheimer and senile dementia. Concluding we have to mention that the “Third age” is not a disease but is the physical continuation of life and so must be treated both by the State and by each of us. Furthermore should not forget that everyone once we would be at this stage of life.

References

• Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home | National Institute on Aging
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Aging
• Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Americans: Risks and Financing Research Brief | ASPE