ABOUT US: AN AGEING WORLD

HelpAge International, June 21, 2005

We live in an era of unprecedented, rapid and inexorable global ageing. Never before have so many people lived for so long. Growing old, once the sole prerogative of the ‘developed’ countries, is now a shared benefit of development worldwide.

Ageing has become one of the defining global issues that will shape the future of the world’s societies.

Greater life expectancy is celebrated as the outcome of sustained advances in medicine, and, in the developed world at least, of improved health and sanitation in conditions of rising affluence.

Population ageing is one of the great triumphs of development, meaning that ‘for the first time in human history the majority of people can expect to survive into old age’.

While increased life expectancy should be counted as a major success, the fact is that most older people live on or below the poverty line and face a future of deprivation.

Both the needs of older people and their contributions to society deserve a much higher place on the policy agenda.

We need to see a changed mindset that welcomes the participation of older people in decision making and takes a fresh view of the relationship between the generations.

Developing world is also ageing

Populations are ageing in almost every country in the world.

In 1950, there were 200 million older people. In the year 2000, that had tripled to 600 million. By 2050, one in five will be over 60. The speed of change is without precedent.

Nearly 80% of this increase took place in the developing world.

Read more facts and figures about our ageing world:
http://www.helpage.org/about/facts/facts.html

Myths and misconceptions

All of us have opinions about older people, and expectations - possibly fears - of our own ageing process. These may be formed from our own experiences and our relationships with older people, but are probably also affected by the many stereotypes which surround this issue.

Here are some examples of the kind of myths and misconceptions which exist about ageing and older people, and some facts which challenge some of our most commonly held beliefs and views.

Myth: Older people are unproductive and a burden on communities and societies - especially on a working younger population

Fact: Most people - particularly in countries where there is not a comprehensive pension system - continue to work well into old age, supporting themselves and others.

As well as the millions of older people who work for a wage, there are millions more who are unpaid workers - family and community leaders, carers of children and people who are ill, advisors, teachers, guardians of culture, volunteers... In both paid and unpaid work their contribution to the development process is vital.

Some older people do need support. Older people can join together with policy makers and others in their communities to work out the best way to meet the challenges of ageing.

Myth: Old age starts at 60

Fact: Sixty is generally the age at which governments and agencies start defining 'old age' but life expectancies are different in different places and there are many things which affect a person's ageing process. Some people may be perceived as 'old' at the age of 35, others are living full and productive lives after the age of 100. In many places people do not define their age in terms of how many years they have lived, but in terms of what they can do.

Myth: Older people do not fall in love or have sexual relationships

Fact: Everybody's feelings and emotions change throughout their lives, but feelings don't just stop because you grow older.

Read more myths and misconceptions about ageing:
http://www.helpage.org/about/ageingworld/ageingworld.html

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