Transcript Document

RETHINKING OLD AGE

Tengku Aizan Hamid, PhD ([email protected]) Director Institute Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 Serdang, Selangor Malaysia

Outline of talk

Comparative demography

Definition of age

What is active ageing

What is productive ageing

Barriers to active and productive ageing

Promotion of active and productive ageing

Conclusion

Comparative demography

Human survival curves

What are the limits of human longevity and life expectancy

100 90 80 70 60 % 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40 Age 50 60 70 80 90 100 1850 1930 1940 1990 1999 Limit

Number of Older Persons (60+) in the World by Continent, 1970 - 2020

Trends of older among the old

Age 80 and over, 1950-2050 9 8 World 7 More Developed Nations 2 1 0 4 3 6 5 Less Developed Nations

Source: Elaboration on Population Division 1997 Data (Medium-variant) by A. Golini

Speed of population ageing in selected countries Number of years to shift older population from 7% to 14%

France Switzerland USA Malaysia South Korea Sweden Germany China Japan Singapore 115 85 50 45 45 27 28 24 23 18

Sources: (1) United Nations The Aging of Population and its Economic and Social Implication Population Studies No.26, New York, 1956 (Before 1940); (2) United Nations World Population Prospects 1990 Population Studies No. 120, New York, 1991 (After 1940), Tengku Aizan et al 2005

Distribution of Older Persons, 2000

Total number of Older Persons in ASEAN countries 37,314,5 thousand Ranking (N) #1 Indonesia #2 #3 Vietnam Thailand

Source: United Nations (2002) World Population Ageing 1950 – 2050 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (2004) ESCAP Population Data Sheet

Proportion of Older Persons, 2000

Percentage of Older Persons in ASEAN countries 7.1 Percent Ranking (%) #1 Singapore #2 #3 Thailand Indonesia

Source: United Nations (2002) World Population Ageing 1950 – 2050 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (2004) ESCAP Population Data Sheet

Ageing Index of ASEAN Countries, 2000

Vietnam Thailand Singapore Philippines Malaysia Laos Indonesia Timor-leste Cambodia Brunei 0 5 10 15 20

Ageing Index (65+ / <15 * 100)

25 30 35 Source: United Nations Population Database (2004 Revision)

Older Population in

180000 160000 140000 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050

ASEAN is increasing

Brunei East Timor Lao PDR Singapo re Cambodi a Malaysia Myanma r Thailand Philippi nes Vietnam Indonesi a

Proportion of Population Aged 65+, 60+, 50+ and 0 -14, Malaysia, 1970-2050

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 65+ 60+ 50+ 0-14 5 0 1970* 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050

Ye ar Tengku Aizan et al 2005

Media Seminar on Active and Productive Ageing 17-18 December, 2005 Reinassance Hotel, Kota Bharu

Malaysia’s Age Pyramid Year 2000 and 2035

70-74 60-64 50-54 40-44 30-34 20-24 Lelaki 10-14 0-4 1500 1000 500 0

Bilangan ('000)

500 Perempuan 1000 1500 70-74 60-64 50-54 40-44 30-34 20-24 10-14 0-4 1500 Lelaki 1000 Year 2000 500 0

Bilangan (Ribu)

500 Year 2035 Perempuan 1000 1500

APEC/ASEAN Population and GDP, 2001

Imagine all the OLD PEOPLE……

Song by: John Lenon (Imagine)

Media Seminar on Active and Productive Ageing 17-18 December, 2005 Reinassance Hotel, Kota Bharu

Experience of Old Age Differs

Cohort

Time

Culture - Shapes the way in which we age because it influences all of the other determinants.

Benchmarks of old age

  

Biological

  

Loss of reproductive ability Grey hair?

Physical decline?

Psychological

Awareness that body no longer moves smoothly without effort Social

   

Becoming grandparent?

Retirement?

Death of parents?

Loss of independence?

Stereotyping Old Age

Burdensome

Rigid

Slow

Ageism

…………..

Hence, the need to rethink old age

Active ageing….

…..

is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance Quality of Life as people age (WHO, 2002).

The word ACTIVE refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labor force (WHO, 2002)

Productive Ageing

Capacity of the an older person to continue to work in a paid or voluntary capacity Also refers to behaviours that are inner directed, personally meaningful, and satisfying to the older person, whether or not they can be categorised as paid or volunteer services and regardless of whether others benefit directly from them.

Kaye et al 2003

Media Seminar on Active and Productive Ageing 17-18 December, 2005 Reinassance Hotel, Kota Bharu

The Active Ageing Approach

Based on the recognition of the human rights of older people and the United Nations Principles of independence, participation, dignity, care and sell-fulfillment.

The Active Ageing Approach

It shifts strategic planning away from a ‘needs-based’ approach (which assumes that older people are passive targets) opportunity and of life).

to a right-based approach (recognizes the rights of people to equality of treatment in all aspects

Active ageing as a life long process

Barriers along the life course needs to be addressed

In our context, what really is the accepted or universal definition of active ageing

Active ageing as successful ageing?

Active ageing as healthy ageing?

A Life Course Approach to Active Aging Early Life Growth and Development Adult Life Maintaining highest possible level of function Adult Life Maintaining independence and preventing disability Disability threshold* Rehabilitation and ensuring the quality of life Age

Disabled and disability-free expectancy at age 65

Male, disability-free Female, disability-free Male, disabled Female, disabled

Australia Austria Canada France Netherlands Switzerland United Kingdom United States 0 5 10 15 20

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census (1996). Global aging into the 21st Century. Washington, DC.

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The Determinants of Active Ageing Economic determinants GENDER Health & social service Social determinants ACTIVE AGING Behavioural determinants Physical environment CULTURE Personal determinants

Principles of active ageing

Activity :-meaningful and contribute to well being of older persons

Encompass all older people

Frail, dependent included

Preventive concept

Ill-health, disability, dependency,loss of skills

Principles of active ageing

Maintenance of intergenerational solidarity

Embody both rights and obligations

Participative and empowering

Respect national and cultural diversity

(Walker, 2002)

Physical Environment

Age friendly

Accessible and affordable public transportation services

Security (Criminal & Hazard etc)

Social Environment

Social Support

Opportunities for education and lifelong learning

Empowerment

Supportive neighbourhood

Protection from violence and abuse

Economic Environment

Although life expectancy has increased dramatically, but the employment opportunity for the elderly is very limited

Income

Social protection

Country, year Malaysia, 2000 Singapore, 2000 Indonesia, 1999 Philippine, 2004 Brunei, Myanmar, 1983 Cambodia, 1998 Vietnam, 1989 Thailand, 2004 Lao People's Dem Rep 45-50 74.2

77.3

80.7

80.7

72.8

62.7

90.5

82.3

89.4

NIL 50-54 67.6

69.1

78.1

NIL 74.6

61.5

88.1

74.6

80.7

55-60 52.2

51.7

70.9

72.6

70.5

60 83.9

62 61-65 42.2

31.7

49.8

NIL 60.2

53 72.4

43.5

39 65+ NIL 17.8

NIL 41.4

38.4

38.4

62.1

18.7

NIL NIL NIL NIL

Estimates and Projections of the economically active population. International Labor Organization http://ww.ilo.org

Technological Environment

Extended life span

Assistive technology

Access to information

Physical fitness, mental health , social well being and independent economic status are necessary to lead active and contented life as age advances ” (Dhar, 2000).

Promotiing of Active and Productive Ageing

Key to active and productive ageing…………

Your health

Population Health Alberta Rose Model

Dignity Engaging With Life Autonomy Promoting Health & Preventing Disease & Injury Participation

Healthy Aging

Optimizing Mental/ Cognitive& Physical Function Security Managing Chronic Conditions Fairness

Health Determinants Population Approach

Source: Alberta’s Health Aging & Seniors Wellness Strategic Framework 2002 2012. (2002). Alberta Health and Wellness & Alberta Seniors, Edmonton, p2

ACTIVE & PRODUCTIVE AGEING

Individual/ Civil Society

Preparation

Social participation

Self help groups

Formal services

A. Temporal & Spatial Context

Temporal context of History & Biography

Gender C. Internal Resources/Disposition of Successful Ageing

Hopefulness Self-Esteem Altruism Coping Disposition Life Satisfaction

Path 4

Spatial context Of demography & community

Path 8 Path3 D. Proactive Adaptation B. Cumulative Stress Exposure Path2a

Traditional Preventive Adaptation Health Promotion Planning Ahead Helping Others Traditional Corrective Adaptation Marshalling Support Environmental Modification Role Substitution Affective States Meaning in Life Long Term Events Recent Events Chronic Illness Social Losses Person-Environment Incongruence

Path 1 Path 2b

Emergent Adaptation Preventive & Corrective Technology Use Health Care Consumerism Self Improvement

Path 7

Financial Resources

Path 6a Path 6a E. External Resources

Social Resources Emergent Resources Access to Technology Access to Healthcare

Path 5

Maintenance of Valued Activities & Relationship

Path 9 Culture

Adapted: Kahana, kahana& Kercher, 2003

Public

Regulatory role

Promotion

Incentives

Facilitate

Policy statement of the National Policy for Older Persons

To create a society of elderly people who are contented and possess a high sense of self worth and dignity , by optimizing their self potential and ensuring that they enjoy every opportunity as well as care and protection of members of their family, society and nation

.

Private Sectors

Be sensitive to changing social need

Corporate responsibility

Continual commitment

Creating conducive environment for employment and services

Types of Social Structures

Age

Age Differentiated Age Integrated LEISURE OLD MIDDLE WORK YOUNG EDUCATION

Source: Riley, 1994

Media Role In Promoting Active & Productive Ageing

Promoting positive image of ageing

Older people & the ageing process – negative interpretations – through our language, newspapers, films and television screens.

Older people – dependent, frail, senile or lonely

Reality – many older people lead active and healthy lives

Media Seminar on Active and Productive Ageing 17-18 December, 2005 Reinassance Hotel, Kota Bharu

CONCLUSION

Ageing needs REBRANDING

Remove barriers to active and productive ageing

Promote active and productive ageing

  

Change in attitudes

  

Structural lag Cultural lag Individual aged Legislation

Social protection Partnerships

Role of NGO’s

Media as vehicle for change

The future aged will be us…

What’s your vision of your aged self?

Just because I am an old rambutan tree doesn’t mean I grow old rambutans

For Your Kind Attention