Help the Aged

The population in the world is aging because of an increase in the fertility rate and decrease in the mortality rate. Globally, the number of older persons who are aged 60 years or more is expected to grow to more than 2 billion in 2050. Older persons are projected to exceed the number of children for the first time in 2047. The poverty level among the aged is quite high, and many live below the poverty line. Because of physical, mental, and socioeconomic conditions, they are susceptible to dependence on others. The medical bills for the aged continue to increase. Many aged people are exploited, oppressed, and discriminated against in society. In India, there have been several crimes against the aged population because they have become a vulnerable group.

Because of the breakdown of extended families, the condition of the aged has become worse. The productivity of the aged population decreases, and this pushes them toward more dependence on others. They suffer from homelessness. Many aged people do not have anyone to share their feelings with; they mainly depend on television for companionship. The number of women among the aged population is higher than men. Many of them are prone to poverty because their life expectancy is higher than the male population. Many countries are failing to provide the necessary support to the aged in the form of pensions and health insurance, and adequate social protections are lacking.

In order to focus on the needs of the aged, the United Nations (UN) declared October 1 the International Day of Elderly Persons. In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the UN Principles for Older Persons. In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population aging in the 21st century. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization (WHO) at the UN. June 1 was declared the Global Day of Parents by the UN General Assembly in 2012. The resolution was adopted on September 17, 2012, to honor parents throughout the world.

[Page 738]The Global AgeWatch Index was created by elder advocacy group HelpAge International and the UN Population Fund, in part to address a lack of international data on the extent and impact of global aging. The index, released on the UN’s International Day of Elderly Persons, compiles data from the UN, WHO, World Bank, and other agencies. It analyzes income, health, education, employment, and the age-friendly environment in each country. This index reveals the data that would help governments take steps to improve the lives of the aged.

Usually, wealthy countries are better prepared for dealing with the issue of aging than poorer countries. Sweden has a very good record of caring for the aged because of its social support mechanisms. Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada are also quite good in treating the aged population. Governments of other countries are also trying their best to help the aged.

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