Contents
Ageing population and its burden
The
world is having a demographic change and therefore it is an interesting aspect
to understand that the elders (people aged 65 or above) are going to outnumber
the children after about five years. The estimated grow of the people aged 65
or older is projected to grow from 524 million in 2010 to about 1,5 billion in
2050 which is most likely to affect developed countries. The causes to this
change is due to the falling fertility rate and the incredible increase in the
life expectancy. (WHO, 2011).
In
Finland the population is ageing faster than most of the countries in the
world. In 2012, the population of Finland above 65 years of age was 18,5% and
population above age of 80 was 5%. By 2050, the Finnish population above 65 are
expected to be 27% and 11% will be above age of 80 (OECD, 2013). In Finland,
the projected increase in population aged 60 years or more is expected to
increase by 20 percent between 2015 and 2030 (United nations,2015).
According
to the report of Statistics Finland, the number of the population of working
age (aged 15 to 64) was highest in 2009, when there were 3.55 million. In the
period of 2010 - 2014, the number of working-age people has fallen by 69,000
persons. The population projection of 2015 states that the number of working-age
people would decrease from the current 3.48 million to 3.41 million, or by
75,000 persons, by 2030. Also, Statistics Finland's latest population
projection assumes that the birth rate would remain constant in future which is
assumed to be at 1.70. (Statistics Finland, 2015).
With
constant increase of ageing population over years has raised the interest among
the policy concerns in quality of life and ageing. The policy makers are
alarmed to maintain the independent lifestyle among the older people and reduce
the public expenditure on pensions, health and social provisions and ultimately
maintaining ‘a good life’. The future
density of morbidity and disability is conjectured to be healthy or
disability-free life expectancy, leading perception of ageing as normal (Péron
1992; Manton et al. 1993, 1995; Grundy 1997; Dunnell and Dix 2000; Kelly and
Baker 2000). The public policy however is more likely to be concerned with making
older people maintain their mobility, individuality, their active contribution
or influence to the society, and to respond efficiently to the challenges of
ageing (Bowling, Ann. 2007).
Aspects of Ageing
The
ageing people often seek for assistance in everyday activities with the
increase in their age and these problems related to their inefficiency are
linked to the various aspects of ageing like physical, social, psychological
and environmental. Ageing population goes through enormous physical changes.
The hearing impairment among the aging population is often moderate and mild.
These kinds of difficulties are experienced by 48 percent of men and 37 percent
of women above the age of 75 in America. Also, older adults face the visual
changes which connect them with the problem in reading, seeing in dim light
etc. These adults take longer time to respond to the features in the
environment. It is reported that, even with the decline in the physical health
2/3rd of the older adults who are living around their closed ones
have better health. Even when the physical limitations are seen with aging
population after the age of 65, they are able to learn to live happy and
productive life.
The
older adults or aging population has various psychological problems associated.
Some of the psychological problems are associated with dementia, behavioral
disorder and Alzheimer’s diseases. The people often suffer from depression,
anxiety and paranoia. The older adults who live alone has higher suicide rate
and alcohol abuse. Some people even get lost even in their own homes. (American
Psychological Association).
The
aging people have more tendencies to get affected by the environmental
exposures. In order to avoid the burden of disease in older population, it is
important to identify and avoid the potential risks of cancer, diabetes
mellitus and cardiovascular disorders. The environmental pollutants and
chemicals unpleasantly affect the homeostatic status of ageing (Hong, 2013).
Norms
and values related to ageing are important aspect to understand. These aspects
differ from culture to culture and region to region. For example, in Asia,
responsibility to take care of elderly member lies fully to the family members
but in other western countries, elderly is considered independent and are
expected to take care of themselves. Also the perception of ageing differs in
each individual. For some, old age may be the time to explore hobbies and
activities that they couldn’t do during their young age but for some others,
old age is not the phase looked forward to. Some people fear old age and are
ready to do anything to avoid it by medical and cosmetic fixings. These
differing views on the life course are the results of cultural values and norms
in which people socialize everyday (Little et. al, 2013).
If
we compare Finland in terms of norms, values and social life, Finns above 60
years of age have positive perception of ageing. Aged population in Finland
generally lives an active life are interested in family, relatives, home,
entertainment, art and travelling. In addition to this, elderly Finnish
citizens also get attractive social and healthcare benefits from the
government. However, loneliness and feeling of isolation has become burning societal
issues among elderly population.
Challenges of Ageing
Increase
in the population of ageing will have direct impact in the dependency ratio. As
life expectancy rate is increasing each year and if the retirement age remains
fixed, there will be large number of people claiming benefits of pension and
less people working and paying income taxes. Further, the ageing population
shifts the high responsibility towards the government. The government needs to
increase spending in the healthcare and pensions which is higher concern
especially in the government of western countries.
Ageing
population has various affect in the availability of the workforce. As country lacks the young population, it
will create the shortage of working population which might push up wages
causing wages inflation. For encouraging the workforce, the company may need to
offer flexible working practices and higher salary. Additionally, the working
population might also need to pay higher taxes which indirectly might affect in
productivity and growth of the company.
With
the increase in the aged population, various products and services for the
retired people increases. There will be a bigger market for the goods related
to the older people like nursing or retirement homes, health products etc.
Also, the society needs to start higher savings for the pension funds which
reduces the capital investment. In long run, the lack of productive investment
leads to decline in the economic growth of the country (Pettinger,J. 2016).
Ageing
population also adds the burden of diseases. it is estimated that 23% of the
total global burden of diseases falls to older people above 60 years of age.
These populations are more at risk of cardiovascular diseases and sensory,
respiratory and infectious disorder. These obstacles are due to the unsuitable
global health priorities, ageism, the poor preparation of health systems to
supply age appropriate care for chronic diseases (Prince et. al. 2015)
Positive Ageing: The Solution to the burden
Active
or healthy ageing is a fresh and hot topic. ‘Active ageing means helping people
stay in charge of their own lives as long as possible as they age and they
contribute to the economy and society’ (MOPACT,2013). Active ageing optimizes
the opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance
quality of life of people of ageing people. If the ageing population is active,
they are able to apprehend their potential for physical, social and mental
wellbeing and involvement in the society. For this, ageing population needs
adequate protection, security and care (WHO).
There
are various determinants of active ageing like Health and social services,
behavioral, personal, social, economic, physical environment etc. as mentioned
above in the diagram. These determinants define if the population is aged
healthy or not which will give clear picture if they are burden to the economy
or they are contributing to the better economy. To be able to achieve the
positive or active ageing, the action is necessary from both the individual and
government level.
An
individual in their older age should continuously take part in the physical
activities that will reduce the start of chronic diseases. The regular physical
activity reduces the risk of cardiac death by 20 to 25 percentage among the
people with established heart disease (Merz and Forrester, 1997). Further
active living also improves the mental health of the person and promotes the
social contacts. The active behavior of older people has important economic
benefits as this will lower their medical costs (WHO, 1998). Apart from physical activity, older people
also needs healthy habits like eating healthy and maintaining the oral hygiene.
These activities directly affect the health status of older people. Older
people have often the risk of malnutrition which is caused by the limited
access to the food and lack of information about the health and nutrition.
Government
can play major role in active ageing of the population. Physical environment is
one of the most important aspect for ageing population. They need safe,
adequate housing and neighborhoods. Also accessible and affordable public
transportation services both in rural and urban areas will lead them to keep
participating in the social affairs. The physical barriers for older people may
lead to inactive behavior in the society and therefore there is more chances of
the isolation, depression, reduced fitness and increased mobility problems.
The
ageing population always seek for the social support. The government needs to
provide them with the adequate social support which will affect their health
and wellbeing. The older people are more likely to be excluded from the family
or society due to their inability. Especially in the developing countries, the
older people are supported by the families however this trend is slowly
becoming less. Getting the rejection from the family and society will affect
their mental and physical health. The government needs to plan for the long
term care and health services to the aging population (WHO, 2002).
Government
should implement the following plans to make ensure better life for ageing
population:
1. Make
favorable environment for people above 65 to keep working and increase their
participation rate.
2. The
life expectancy and retirement age are directly proportional and therefore
government needs to raise the retirement age.
3. Encouraging
the private sectors in providing the pensions and health care. This private
services might cause inequality and general public might not be able to afford.
4. By
increasing the tax to pay for pension cost.
5. Encouraging
the immigration which will provide the country with the young population
contributing to the economy of the country. (Pettinger, T. 2016)
Ageing: An
Opportunity?
Ageing
is always considered as burden because of its negative effects bearing in mind
the economics but it also offers some opportunities. The companies need to
understand and research this group of population to make special marketing
strategies of business. Ageing population has many possibilities to actively
participate in various events and activities. The Association of British Travel
Agents reported that the age group of 51-69 have increased their holiday trips
and are more keen to experience other countries and cultures. AllClear Travel
Insurance also admits that older traveler is becoming more adventurous and they
are interested in activities like trekking, cycling, skiing etc.
About
the opportunities with ageing population, films can be an area of opportunity.
The movie makers should fulfill the demand of movies based on retired
population. Further, Ageing population can also be seen as a big player in the
market because this population may own incredible wealth and they can be a big
player in the market and businesses. Additionally, other fields such as
fitness, online dating etc. can also be important areas where opportunities can
be created for ageing population (Jones,H. 2015).
Conclusion
It
is very essential to understand the clash of generations to overcome the
mismatch between the demand and supply of labor. Also it is important to make
investments in the human capital and creation of jobs for low skilled workers
as well as aged population. This will prevent the possibility of labor shortage
and ensure higher employment rates. The reduction in the VAT on labor intensive
services needs consideration which could lead to additional services for elders
in shopping support, home help etc. In case of Finland, the deductibility of
tax in household related services is a good approach. Also policies should be
made to ensure right attitude towards the elders and support active ageing.
Activities that involves lifelong learning, networking and activities of
pensioners, possibility of volunteering etc. (Kunz, 2007)
Ageing
population needs understanding from society and government. It is important to
maintain the healthy society realizing the fact that ageing population
contribute to the large portion of the population. New technologies and business ideas should be
introduced keeping in mind the demand of elderly population. Health can be both
humane and a productive goal for society and all of its actors (Koponen,J
2015).
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-Umesh Timilsina'
University of Eastern Finland
2016
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