The Ageing Population as a Social Problem - Term Paper Example

Population ageing refers to the rising average age of a population. It is a process by which the older people make up a large share of the population. Since the last century the lifespan has increased and the birth rates declined. In 1950, the average life expectancy world-wide was 44, but by 2050 it is expected to rise to 77 (BBC, 2002). This signifies that the number of old people have increased in comparison to the younger working population. This also implies that larger ageing population is now becoming dependent on a smaller younger working population. Ageing population can be a social problem if they are a burden to the society in terns of health and economic reasons. This paper will discuss whether ageing population is a social problem or in view of the declining birth rates, the ageing population should be welcomed. Meaningful activities As long as the population that is ageing and can involve itself in something meaningful in the society they are not considered a problem. The older people in UK today have a desire to be independent and do something meaningful in life (Reed, Cook, Childs & Hall, 2003). Even if they live with the family, they prefer to maintain their independence in all respects. This requires physical well being. Apart from this, the willingness to do something, the right attitude towards working and finally the resources which provide the ability to do something are equally important. Self-efficacy is also essential as it is the confidence in one’s ability to be able to do what one wants. If the older people have all of these, they are supposed to have quality of life which gives them dignity and respect in society and they are not considered a social problem. Health As far as health is concerned, it is expected that by 2025 the number of people in UK over 85 years of age will have increased by two-thirds (Philip, 2007). NHS understands that how the services provided need to be changed because the needs and nature of people constantly keep changing. While older people are more likely to be admitted for treatment and also more likely to stay longer in the hospitals, it is also expected that with the advancement in medical science and technology would enable better and smoother services. This would result in reduced hospital care and increased investment in preventive care services. Early intervention, long-term conditions management, early supported discharge, and acute hospital care whenever needed would ensure that the ageing population does not suffer for want of attention and treatment. Age is no more a barrier to NHS treatment. Anticipating and coordinating care needs leads to better management of the older people. Community nurses should have quick access to specialist services which would also enhance the services for the older people. Better partnership between nurses and NHS itself would improve the services. If the older people are provided care and assistance in maintaining their conditions independently, it would result in fewer emergency admissions, shorter stays in hospitals, and quicker rehabilitation in the community. Importance of money The older people have a desire for social inclusion in the society which implies that they want to make a valuable contribution to the society. They do make a significant contribution to the society in many ways but their contribution is not recognized. Those entering retirement have private and occupational pensions, financial assets and savings (Cook, Reed, Childs & Hall, 2004). They have the potential both in terms of time and money to take advantage of the leisure and educational opportunities. Some of course prefer to hold on to their financial resources as it might be needed in their later part of life while others are concerned about the devaluation of money. Review of literature suggests that older people have been disproportionately represented in the lower income bracket. This implies that older people do have the financial resources and are not really dependent on the society for their daily needs. Transition Older people are more in control of their lives than they used to be. They are seen to be exercising their choice and are an active and vibrant group. Volunteering plays a very important role in helping the older people transit from paid work to retirement (Smith & Gay, 2005). Retirement today is seen as a multifaceted stage in life cycle with opportunities to use the time and productively. The older people are often seen offering their services as volunteers. Volunteering can be tailored to suit individual preferences, aptitudes and expertise. Organizations too benefit from the experience, commitment and capacity of the older people. Studies suggest that the older people expressed happiness as volunteering gave them an opportunity to be involved in something meaningful and enjoyable while being less strenuous than paid work. It provided them an opportunity of keeping a toehold in the mainstream and allowed productive ageing. It provides them satisfaction and fulfillment, which is the basics of a healthy life. Society has been having a stereotype attitude towards the older people which has been a barrier from their real needs being heard or acted upon. Old age is not ‘an illness for which there is no cure’ says a report by Joseph Rowntree Foundation (Embargo, 2004). The report suggests that older people must be involved in planning the policies and services that affect them. This would contribute towards improving the quality of life in old age. Older people are not a burden or a problem to be solved. In fact successful ageing is a continued ability to compete with the younger people in activities that demand physical stamina and wellbeing. The older generation is well aware of the limitations of the body and mental faculties as age enhances but this does not deter them from quality life. They acknowledge gains and they have their lifetime experiences to bank upon. At their age they need recognition and not indifference from the society. This is the time when people get to do things they really want without restraint. They want to enjoy life and indulge in all these leisure activities which their strict work life did not allow. They want support and services to negotiate ordinary things in life like relationships, learning, transport, and housing, feeling comfortable and secure. The older people wish to give and receive support and studies suggest that they can make a difference to each other’s quality of life. Improving the quality of life of the ageing population Communities, community organization, family and friends provide support to the older people. The older people should have voice in the services required by them and services need to be more holistic as suggested by the JRF. People need to be conscious of the implication of living in the ‘ageing’ society as very soon those past the retirement age will soon outnumber the younger generation who are below the school leaving age. Can the society afford to remain indifferent to the needs of the ageing population? Age discrimination has to end and reforms have to be introduced. An adequate retirement income including a basic state pension would prevent older people from falling below the poverty line. Then various other reforms including the attitude towards the elderly has to change. When the older people are healthier and more capable, an active and vibrant group social policy changes and governmental support can go a long way in having a healthy ageing population. Pickering (2004) of Tomorrow’s Company Research Group suggests when a person stops working should be left to individual choice. As lifespan and health has improved, people would prefer to and would be in a position to work longer. Hence there should be flexibility in the approach to retirement. At the same time changes should be introduced like part-time employment or flexible working schedules for the elderly. An ageing working population results in rising prosperity and increase in wealth. Rising productivity outweighs any negative impact which may arise due to the increase in the proportion of ageing non-workers. The government should raise the profile of its Life Long Learning initiative and develop it as a top social priority (Foresight, 2000). This is essential so that the older workforce can maintain and extend its skills and expertise. Policies should also ensure that all older people have the technological support systems that are linked into electronic networks. These should be high on the agenda of the policy makers to provide for the widest possible access to the ageing population of UK. McDougall (2002) states that as life expectancy has gone up, higher people of working age has joined the labor force. This is expected to continue which will ease the problem of longevity. There is an exaggerated fear that ageing population demands higher costs for support. This fear has focused on the pension costs. Efforts have to be made to offer the economically inactive groups more opportunity to work, to improve the skills and productivity, and to encourage savings for old age. Social policies are taking shape but at a very slow pace. Secondly, just as fund pension schemes operate through the purchase of financial assets, mainly equities and bonds, purchasing of housing assets should serve the same purpose. Ownership of houses can provide retirement income but more than a quarter of the adult population does not own a house. A good quality of life implies good social networks and sense of support (HM Government 2005 cited by HopDev, 2005). Older people value interdependence – giving and receiving support. They also require good housing in safe and friendly neighborhoods. The government should introduce measures to ensure that maximum people invest in a house during their active work life. Retirement housing refers to accommodation built or converted exclusively for sale or rent to the elderly with a package of estate management services (RHG, 2006). They comprise of self-contained accommodation with an emergency alarm system with communal facilities and a warden. These would help to meet the diverse housing needs of the ageing population. It is usually built at higher densities thereby saving land and has fewer car movements compared to mainstream housing. This would give the ageing population independence while also relieving the pressure on the public services but not everyone wants retirement housing, they prefer to continue living in their own area. Rise in the Council Tax Bills are causing concern among the pensioners. Due consideration needs to be given to make Council Tax affordable for the ageing population (Age Concern, 2007). Since October 2006 age discrimination at workplace has been against the law but this has not been banned in goods and services. For instance, travel insurance is no more allowed to those over 65 even if they have been long standing customers (Age Concern). These too should be banned, which would give the ageing population as being part of the mainstream community. They need more support at this age rather than withdrawing what they have been enjoying. The ageing population is not a social problem; on the contrary the society needs to shift in their approach towards the ageing. Effective public policies will help meet the challenges of an ageing society. As far as businesses are concerned, the ageing population provides a new customer segment. The companies should seize this opportunity. There is a market for new products and services to provide for the elderly. Age should not become a social dividing line. There is a clear demarcation in all facilities and services, which bars the elderly from certain facilities (Foresight). These exclusions due to age broaden the social exclusion. The needs, rights and duties of the older generation have to be balanced against the younger generation. The ageing society can be bound together economically, socially and culturally if reforms are introduced. The ageing population can make valuable contribution to the society with the years of experience they have accumulated, with their commitment and the zeal that they nurture towards life. All they need is a social support system with certain reforms thrown in by the government. References: Age Concern (2007), Council Tax, 20 Feb 2007 BBC (2002), Ageing is an international problem, 20 Feb 2007 Cook, G., Reed, J., Childs, S., & Hall, A., (2004), Does Money matter? Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Feb 2007 Embargo (2004), Press Room, 20 Feb 2007 Foresight (2000), The Age-Shift- priorities for action, 20 Feb 2007 HopDev (2005), Delivering housing for an ageing population, 20 Feb 2007 McDougall, R., (2002), Ageing populations and hidden unemployment, Optimum Population Trust, 20 Feb 2007 Philip, I., (2007), Recipe for care - not a single ingredient, 20 Feb 2007 Pickering, A., (2004), The Ageing Population, Pensions, and Wealth Creation, Tomorrows Company, 20 Feb 2007 RHG (2006), Housing Choice for an ageing population in the Eastern Region, 20 Feb 2007 Reed, J., Cook. G., Childs, S., & Hall, A., (2003), Getting old is not for cowards, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Feb 2007 Smith, J. D., & Gay, P., (2005), Active ageing in active communities, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Feb 2007 Read More