Ageing population: Community service system needed | Sunday Observer

Ageing population: Community service system needed

14 October, 2018

The International Day of Older Persons was commemorated recently. This year’s theme had 4 aims: to promote the rights of the elderly as enshrined in the 1948 Declaration; to raise the visibility of older people; to reflect on progress made and challenges faced; and to engage broad audiences and mobilize them to work for the rights of the elderly.

According to the UN, almost 700 million people in the world are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be greatest and most rapid in the developing world.

Sri Lanka, too,is experiencing the same phenomenon. In 2001, about 9% of Sri Lankans were 60 years and over. By 2011, it increased to 12.5 %. By year 2041, it is predicted that about a quarter (24.8 %) of the Sri Lankan population will be over 60 years, so that one in five is an elderly person.

With this in mind, the Government has begun to give enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by older people. Just as important, is the essential contribution the majority of them can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place.

Three processes

The size and age composition of a population are determined by three demographic processes: fertility, mortality and migration. During the past three decades, our average birth rates were 17.6 per 1,000 population and the corresponding death rates, 6.2. Our average life expectancy has increased to 75 years.

The fertility rate has stood at 2.4 birth per woman. At the same time, the immigration for labour or otherwise, particularly young adults, has been increasing since the 1980s.

All these factors have resulted in a considerable reduction of the proportion of the working age population in the country, while the elderly population has been increasing every year.

Challenges

The aging of a population is a complex issue that concerns not only the elderly citizens but also two other broader sectors.

On the one hand, the necessity of a solid Government policy to ensure better living environment and quality of life for these citizens is an urgent need. The elders’ rights to safety, access to services, and to lead dignified, active and fulfilled lives without being overly dependent on other people (or the Government)should be recognized and promoted.

On the other hand, as statistics reveal, as decades roll by, our country will be more and more burdened with elderly dependents and fewer be available for gainful economic employment.

We do have retirement benefit packages such as, Pensions, Provident and Trust Funds and gratuity packages.

Yet, they benefit only one third of the working population. The informal sector, comprising the balance 66% are totally dependent on their children and families. Such an imbalance is likely to affect the Elderly Dependent Rate (EDR).

A higher EDR ratio would pose many challenges to the country. A decrease in the labour force and an increase in the elderly population will slow down economic growth.

It could affect Sri Lanka’s international competitiveness thus making a dent in our export earnings. People over 65 are more likely to require treatment from the National Health sector, thereby greater demands placed on government spending on the health budget. Retired people pay lower (or nil) income tax, causing a serious loss in Government income. Such pressures on government finances could lead to higher tax rates on a declining working population, which could create disincentives to work. These are only a few of the implications.

Family

Sri Lanka has had a rich tradition of extended families and care givers, but this seems to be breaking down fast in the mass urbanization and migration. The changing family structure from an extended family towards a nuclear family has begun to reduce the extent to which that support is available.

The increased participation of women in the labour market has also aggravated this problem. Migration has reduced the number of family members available for help.

Social values and customs are transmitted through the family system in which respect for one another is propagated. This bond must be strengthened by the parents to ensure that the children continue to follow. However, when parents have placed their career and success above all other factors, they find little time for family interactions.

The bond eventually breaks down and naturally, respect of their children towards the elderly also would break down.

Care of the elderly by the family also corresponds with society’s norms and sanctions. When a community begins to become westernized rapidly, attitudes towards the elderly tend to change and end up being non-positive.

Community based system

What we need today is a good community services system, i.e. any service offered by members of the community with the help of the Government that enables elderly persons to remain in the community and out of institutional care.

It includes day centers, social clubs, rehabilitation centers, counselling and advice centers, transport services, home help, meals on wheels, mobile libraries, home nursing, etc.

However, the Government has a key role to play by assisting the organizations supporting our elderly population to live comfortable lives.

Above all, it is of paramount importance that the Government addresses the needs of the elderly and set a long-term strategic plan for the next 20 years within the context of our country’s available resources, both, in the public and private sectors.

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