Population aging is one of humanity's greatest triumphs and also one of our greatest challenges. As we enter the 21st century, global aging will cause increased social and economic demands around the world.
However, older people are generally ignored as a resource when in fact they are an important resource for the structure of our societies. The World Health Organization argues that countries can afford aging if governments, international organizations and civil society implement “active aging” policies and programs that improve the health, participation and safety of older citizens. The time to plan and act is now. In every country, and especially in developing countries, measures to help older people stay healthy and active are a necessity, not a luxury.
The policies and programs we refer to above should be based on the rights, needs, preferences and skills of older people. They should also include a life course perspective that recognizes the important influence of life experiences on the way individuals age.
To conclude providing opportunities for the elderly to remain in the workforce longer as well as engage in volunteering, care, and artistic activities can provide both social and economic benefits and relieve some of the fiscal pressures related to aging societies. However, work activities for the elderly do not automatically translate into social welfare gains. Policies should be arranged in a way that recognizes the dignity and autonomy of older individuals as opposed to providing them with meaningless or degrading tasks merely to keep them occupied. In addition to furnishing meaningful and rewarding opportunities, activities should be adapted to the physical and mental aptness of older individuals. And while paid and unpaid work activities are beneficial to society and the elderly, allowing for choice and autonomy is key.
Population aging is one of humanity's greatest triumphs and
also
one of our greatest challenges. As we enter the 21st century, global aging will cause increased social and economic demands around the world.
However
,
older
people
are
generally
ignored
as a resource when in fact they are an
important
resource for the structure of our
societies
. The World Health Organization argues that countries can afford aging if
governments
, international organizations and civil
society
implement “active aging” policies and programs that
improve
the health, participation and safety of
older
citizens. The time to plan and act is
now
. In every country, and
especially
in
developing countries
, measures to
help
older
people
stay healthy and active are a necessity, not a luxury.
The policies and programs we refer to above should
be based
on the rights, needs, preferences and
skills
of
older
people
. They should
also
include a life course perspective that recognizes the
important
influence of life experiences on the way individuals age.
To conclude
providing opportunities for the elderly to remain in the workforce longer
as well
as engage in volunteering, care, and artistic
activities
can provide both social and economic benefits and relieve
some of the
fiscal pressures related to aging
societies
.
However
, work
activities
for the elderly do not
automatically
translate into social welfare gains. Policies should
be arranged
in a way that recognizes the dignity and autonomy of
older
individuals as opposed to providing them with meaningless or degrading tasks
merely
to
keep
them occupied.
In addition
to furnishing meaningful and rewarding opportunities,
activities
should
be adapted
to the physical and mental aptness of
older
individuals. And while paid and unpaid work
activities
are beneficial to
society
and the elderly, allowing for choice and autonomy is key.