The Most Dramatic Demographic Trends
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The Most Dramatic Demographic Trends
One of the most dramatic demographic trends…
CHAPTER 1
introduction
INTRODUCTION
One of the most dramatic demographic trends in the world today is the ageing of the population: an increase in the proportion of senior citizens relative to the youth and working age population. The reasons for this trend, “the greying of society”, are often complex. They include, or will include in the next decade or so, the tremendous impact of the “baby boomer” generation, increases in life expectancy, changes in fertility patterns and for many geographical locations, out-migration of the younger members of society. Throughout the twentieth century, the development of an ageing population is due to the convergence of two major trends:The long term downward trend in the birth rate, so that the proportion of older people is increasingly larger than the proportion of children in the population
The improvement in life expectancy throughout the world
Greater changes are likely to occur in the post –industrial society than the ageing of population. The policies and attitudes of society will need to change to accommodate such changes. People of all ages should be valued not only for the past contribution to society but also for their present and potential contribution.
Population ageing which has been over the past decades posing serious challenges remains one of the most neglected issues in developing countries. Within western cultures, ageing is not necessarily seen as a positive experience and as such, individuals of advancing years may not be attributed with high status or high value. Eastern cultures, on the other hand, generally believe old age means that a person has had valued experiences and therefore developed wisdom and knowledge that is useful to the rest of their society.
Of particular interest in recent years has been the identification of elderly abuse and neglect, that is the harming, exploitation, or the intimidation of an elderly person which festers among a small segment of the elderly population( Eastman, 1984; Glendening, 1993, Penhale, 1993).
Elder abuse can also be defined as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person”. Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect. Elderly abuse and neglect, however may take different forms ranging from passive neglect, active neglect, physical abuse, psychological abuse, abandonment, inattention to their needs among others. In many parts of the world elder abuse occurs with little recognition or response. Until recently, this serious social problem was hidden from the public view and considered mostly a private matter. Even today, elder abuse continues to be a taboo, mostly underestimated and ignored by societies across the world. Evidence is accumulating, however, to indicate that elder abuse is an important public health and societal problem.
As Mauritius has not been spared from the phenomenon of ageing and as it undergoing rapid social changes, there are growing speculations about the elderly population being marginalized and mistreated in rural and urban areas. This concept of elderly abuse has become so popular and a raising concern among the elderly cohorts that the year 1999 was declared a special for the old people and the 1st October 2009 was declared the International Day for the Elderly. To protect the senior citizens against abuse, the “Protection of the Elderly Persons Act” came into force in 2006. The Act makes provision for the protection of the elderly who is subjected to negligence, ill treatment, mental, physical and emotional harassment or who has suffered material or financial loss.
Rationale for carrying out the study
The Welfare and Elderly Person’s Protection Unit (WEPPU) unit in our Ministry has been set up in October 2006 following the proclamation of the Act and its function is to explore the causes and consequences of elderly abuse. While carrying a piece of research on residents, it is also important to know the reaction of the elderly to such abuses and their feelings of being rejected and discarded by their own people. A critical appraisal of the quality of lives of our elderly who stay with caregivers and also those who lives in homes will also be made, followed by analysis, comments and possible solutions and recommendations which advocate for a meaningful and qualitative life for the elderly in Mauritius.
The study was carried out at Foolbaseea Babooram’s Ashram at Chemin Grenier.
Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically underreported globally. Prevalence rates or estimates exist only in selected developed countries – ranging from 1% to 10%. Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious. As such, it demands a global multifaceted response, one which focuses on protecting the rights of older persons as it is an inevitable fact that we will all become old and the elderly of tomorrow.
Objectives of the ResearchTo identify the causes and consequences of elderly abuse and neglect
To know the reaction of the elderly people who are abused and their feelings of being rejected and discarded by their own people
To identify their needs and difficulties
To identify their social networks and support systems
To appraise the intervention mechanisms in particular the roles and actions taken by the WEPPU of the Ministry of Social Security, N.S & R.I in preventing acts of abuse on elderly persons and taking necessary measures.
Organization of the chapters
Chapter one: Provides an introduction of the study and also includes the objectives of the research.
Chapter 2: Provides a literature review on the world ageing population and the ageing population trend for Mauritius. It also provides an overview of the elderly population who are abused and neglected.
Chapter 3: Contains the approaches and methodology.
Chapter 4: Includes the result and findings of the field work which have been carried and an analysis of the findings.
Chapter 5: Actions and recommendations.
CHAPTER 2
Literature
review
CONCEPT OF ELDERLY
Most developed world countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of ‘elderly’ or older person, but like many westernized concepts, this does not adapt well to the situation. While this definition is somewhat arbitrary, it is many times associated with the age at which one can begin to receive pension benefits. At the moment, there is no United Nations standard numerical criterion, but the UN agreed cutoff is 60+ years to refer to the older population. Although there are commonly used definitions of old age, there is no general agreement on the age at which a person becomes old. The common use of a calendar age to mark the threshold of old age assumes equivalence with biological age, yet at the same time, it is generally accepted that these two are not necessarily synonymous.
As far back as 1875, in Britain, the Friendly Societies Act, enacted the definition of old age as, “any age after 50″, yet pension schemes mostly used age 60 or 65 years for eligibility. (Roebuck, 1979). The UN has not adopted a standard criterion, but generally use 60+ years to refer to the older population (personal correspondence, 2001). In Mauritius, the retirement was 60 years old but since last year, it has been amended to 65 years.
The ageing process is of course a biological reality which has its own dynamic, largely beyond human control. However, it is also subject to the constructions by which each society makes sense of old age. In the developed world, chronological time plays a paramount role. The age of 60 or 65, roughly equivalent to retirement ages in most developed countries is said to be the beginning of old age. In many parts of the developing world, chronological time has little or no importance in the meaning of old age. Other socially constructed meanings of age are more significant such as the roles assigned to older people; in some cases it is the loss of roles accompanying physical decline which is significant in defining old age. Thus, in contrast to the chronological milestones which mark life stages in the developed world, old age in many developing countries is seen to begin at the point when active contribution is no longer possible.” (Gorman, 2000)
Age classification varied between countries and over time, reflecting in many instances the social class differences or functional ability related to the workforce, but more often than not was a reflection of the current political and economic situation. Many times the definition is linked to the retirement age, which in some instances, was lower for women than men. This transition in livelihood became the basis for the definition of old age which occurred between the ages of 45 and 55 years for women and between the ages of 55 and 75 years for men. (Thane, 1978).
Social gerontologists have identified different perspectives from which the ageing phenomenon may be understood. These are:Chronological ageing – ageing based on the age of the individual
Biological ageing – refers to the physical changes that “slow us down” as we get into our middle and older years. For example, our arteries might clog up, or problems with our lungs might make it more difficult for us to breathe, physical ageing such as grey hair, wrinkles, etc
Psychological ageing – changes in the sensory and perceptual functioning of the individual. It refers to the psychological changes, including those involving mental functioning and personality that occur as we age. Gerontologists emphasize that chronological age is not always the same thing as biological or psychological age. Some people who are 65, for example, can look and act much younger than some who are 50.
Social ageing – changing roles and relationships that accompany ageing. Social ageing can be explained by two theories – disengagement theory and activity theory. Disengagement theory contends that as individuals experience physical decline due to ageing, they have less need and desire for social interaction and therefore, progressively withdraw from social roles. Activity theory states that social activity is essential for all individuals at all ages and that the elderly need to remain active in later life by pursuing their activities and lifestyles of their middle age. ( Ebersole & Hess, 2001 ; Eliopoulos, 2001).
Functional Ageing- is referred to when an individual is unable to perform certain physical functions through lack of strength or mobility.
(Sources: Ageing and Society- Manual August 2008)
Global ageing trends
Since the dawn of history, young children have outnumbered older people. It is predicted that this trend will be reversed very soon. For the first time in history, people aged 65 and over will outnumber children under age 5. This inexorable trend is emerging around the globe. The number of people aged 65 and over around the world stands at almost 500 million, representing a share of 8% of the world’s population. It is expected that by 2030, the world is likely to have 1 billion older persons, that is, 13% of the total population.
(Source: National Policy on Ageing October2008 by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare & Reform Institutions)
This phenomenon of ageing population is fast becoming a world- wide problem. These factors, combined with elevated fertility in many countries during the decades after World War II (i.e., the “Baby Boom”), will result in increased numbers of persons aged>65 years during 2010–2030. Worldwide, the average life span is expected to extend another 10 years by 2050. In 1950, there were about 200 million people above 60 years old in the world. The figure has risen some 616 million in the year 2000 and is expected to rise to 1.2 billion in 2025. A majority of them, about 72% of the total will be living in developing countries. The disquieting fact is that the most rapid increase in older population is occurring in the less developed economies. It is projected that between 2006 and 2030, in less developed economies, the number of older persons will increase by 140%, compared to an increase of 51% in more developed economies.
The demographic shift is attributed mainly to the general decline in fertility rates and to improved health, which have lengthened life expectancy. Rapid reduction in infant mortality rates coupled with a dramatic fall in the death rate has resulted in a sharp rise in the proportion of older people in the population. The pace of fertility decline in many less developed countries over the past 20 years has been the most surprising demographic development. For example, in 2006, the total fertility rate was at or below the replacement rate in 44 less developed countries.
The growing number of older adults increases demands on the public health system and on medical and social services. Chronic diseases, which affect older adults disproportionately, contribute to disability, diminish quality of life, and increased health- and long-term–care costs. Increased life expectancy reflects, in part, the success of public health interventions, but public health programs must now respond to the challenges created by this achievement, including the growing burden of chronic illnesses, injuries, and disabilities and increasing concerns about future caregiving and health-care costs.
( Source: Discussion paper on Ageing Issues- by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare & Reform Institutions -March 2001)
Demographic Transition
The world has experienced a gradual demographic transition from patterns of high fertility and high mortality rates to low fertility and delayed mortality. The transition begins with declining infant and childhood mortality, in part because of effective public health measures. Lower childhood mortality contributes initially to a longer life expectancy and a younger population. Declines in fertility rates generally follow, and improvements in adult health lead to an older population. As a result of demographic transitions, the shape of the global age distribution is changing. By 1990, the age distribution in developed countries represented similar proportions of younger and older persons. For developing countries, age distribution is projected to have similar proportions by 2030.
National Ageing Trends
Mauritius is not an exception to the global phenomenon as it is already facing problems associated with an ageing population. The index of ageing, namely the number of persons aged 60+ per 100 children aged 0-14 year, which was 11.9 in 1962 and 32.6 in 1997, is expected to rise to 60.7 in 2017 and 100.6 in 2037. The oldest of the old, defined as those aged 75 years or above are the mostly rapidly growing group among the elderly. This group constituted 16% of the elderly in1962, 22% in 1997 and could reach 30% by the year 2037. In 2000, the elderly population accounted for 9% of the total population compared to 6% in 1972. The estimated mid-year population of the Republic of Mauritius stood at 1,210,196 in 2002 rose to 1,260,403 in 2007, representing an average annual increase of about 0.8%. During that period, the child population aged below 15 years decreased from 307,826 to 294,211. As a percentage of the total population, it decreased from 25.4% to 23.3%.However, the elderly population aged 60 years and over grew from 110,814 (9.2% of total population) to 126,080 (10% of total population). It is expected that by 2037, the percentage of elderly population will 20% of the population.
Year Persons Aged 60 and over % of Elderly Population 2000 107,503 9% 2007 126,080 10% 2008 131,143 10.3% 2009(June) 140,601 10.6% ( around) Estimates 2037 330,782 20% (Source: Central Statistics Office And Database Of The Ministry Of Social Security, National Solidarity And Senior Citizens Welfare & Reform Institutions)
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