Ageing population can alter eco and health policies

Statistics of Ageing population in India 71 million in 2001 100 million in 2011(approx) 126 million approx projected estimate for the elderly population in 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- India takes up old challenge Oct 2, 2011, 06.36AM IST TNN[ Malathy Iyer ] MUMBAI: On October 13, government officials in Delhi will discuss funding for an old-age issue: an ambitious project spanning 25 years to study how various socio-economic issues affect the country's senior citizens. The study will follow 30,000 people over 45 for 25 years to chronicle how factors such as nuclear families, migration of children, lack of pension, inadequate health system, etc impact their lives. India's 60-plus brigade-often neglected in discussions about our young population-has been growing steadily. The group accounted for less than 5% of the population in 2001, but will make up 14% by 2050. In sheer numbers, projections from the latest 2011 Census pegged the 60-plus population at 100 million. "In 2026, they will account for over 174 million," said Dr Fauzdar Ram, director of the International Institute of Population Sciences. The burgeoning population of senior citizens has the potential to dramatically alter existing economic policies. More greybeards, for instance, means that insurance and pension schemes have to be reworked. The rise in nuclear families, especially in urban India, underlines the need for better social infrastructure. These are just a few of the reasons propelling Indian experts to embark on a Longitudinal Ageing Study. One aspect that will be analyzed in all its socio-economic details will be the "feminization" of the aged or the fact that there are more 70-plus women than men who are financially dependent. "Most women don't have any financial independence. In rural areas, land is almost never in the woman's name. When they outlive their husbands, they have to depend on their children or relatives," said Dr Fauzdar Ram, director of the International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS). The study, which will begin next year, will be undertaken by the IIPS, which is based in Deonar. The US National Institutes of Health will be the main funding organization, and Harvard University will be a partner. Next month, IIPS will announce the findings of a pilot study in Punjab, Rajasthan, Kerala and Karnataka. "The pilot study helped us fix a module for the larger study," said Ram. For instance, people underwent diagnostic tests to establish health indicators such cholesterol, BP, etc. Many European countries as well as China, Japan, Indonesia and Korea are carrying out such studies. But India's issues are unique. "Families are becoming smaller, especially in urban India, but affluence is rising. Children are migrating, getting well-paying jobs and providing economic succour to parents. But what about the physical support that a 75-yearplus needs?" said an IIPS researcher. Healthcare here is not oriented for the aged. "Infant and maternal mortality still dominate. Even our doctors aren't oriented to think for the aged. It's going to be one of the biggest challenges for India," said Ram. One solution, say experts, would be to levy taxes on people with aged parents in such a manner that the state can build infrastructure for the aged in terms of homes, hospitals, etc. STUDY HIGHLIGHTS The International Institute for Population Sciences says that by 2050, the silverhaired group will account for over 14% of the population-up from 5% in 2001 The oldest old-the population aged 80 and over-will also increase from 1% to 3% Health insurance, work and retirement, income and changing family characteristics are some of the problems identified vis-a-vis senior citizens Now, the Indian government along with US National Institutes of Health will undertake a 25-year-long study to assess ageing and it socio-economic impact on the nation's population. The study will follow 30,000 people in the 45-60 age group. Population Aging and Social Policy Annual Review of Sociology Vol. 18: 449-474 (Volume publication date August 1992) DOI: 10.1146/annurev.so.18.080192.002313 Peter Uhlenberg Department of Sociology and Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 FULL-TEXT| PDFPDF (808 KB)| Permissions Citation: Web of Science ® Download| Email notification| Web of Science ®: Related Records ®| Times Cited: 11 ABSTRACT As the life course currently is structured, old age is socially defined as a stage of life beginning in the early sixties, in which retirement from work and many other social responsibilities is expected. Few incentives exist for older persons to make productive contributions to the society, and obstacles to their engagement in productive activities exist. Consequently, large transfers from the working population to the retired are required, and potential contributions of the elderly to societal well-being are lost. Further, adult children often face a long period of being responsible for their aging dependent parents. Changes occurring in the older population challenge this existing arrangement. Not only is the ratio of the older to younger adults increasing, but also an increasing proportion of adults entering old age have the ability to make significant contributions (i.e. they are well educated, healthy, economically secure, and politically astute). Concern over this growing mismatch between older people's abilities and the roles they are expected to fill leads to a discussion of social policy. How might social policy increase the productivity of the elderly and/or reduce the burden of supporting a growing dependent older population. Three major categories of policies responsive to this question are considered. The outcome of these policy debates will significantly shape the future of aging in the United States. Go to full-text...