According to the Population Division of United Nations, it is estimated that one out of every 10 persons is now 60 years or above; by 2050, one out of five will be 60 years or older; and by 2150, one out of three persons will be 60 years or older.
In this context, ageing population has also remarkably increased in Asia. In the last 40 years, life expectancy in China has risen by 31 years, in the Philippines by 21 years and in Bangladesh by 20 years. Just over half of the world’s older people currently live in Asia. By 2050, Asia will be home to almost two-thirds of the world’s elderly population.
In Nepal, the senior citizens make up about 6.5 per cent of the total population. This demographic transformation will have a profound impact on the individuals, families and communities. The twin processes of mortality and fertility reduction contribute to significant increase in the proportion of senior citizens in the country.
In our case, it is traditionally assumed that younger family members will care for older ones. However, due to migration and increasing urbanization, there are problems and challenges to meet the support and care needs of old persons. This has increased the vulnerability of senior citizens in terms of protecting and securing their rights in families and communities.
A society for all ages, which was the theme for the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, contained four dimensions: Individual lifelong development; multigenerational relationships; the interrelationship between population ageing and development; and the situation of older persons. More importantly, this significantly helped to advance awareness, research and policy action worldwide, including efforts to integrate the issue of ageing in all sectors and foster opportunities integral to all phases of life.
As a matter of fact, it is experienced that the needs of senior citizens are considered as low priority in developing policies and programs. They are more likely to face effects of natural disasters, epidemics, conflicts and migration. It is unfortunate that contributions of senior citizens are still undervalued in the society. They are perceived to be at risk of being deprived and marginalized in the context of modernization and urbanization.
There are emerging needs for concrete strategies and plans for policy sensitization and advocacy at all levels to create a supportive environment for implementation of national polices and programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of senior citizens across the country.
The International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 calls for changes in attitudes, policies and practices at all levels in all sectors so that the enormous potential of ageing in the twenty-first century may be fulfilled. The aim of the action plan is to ensure that persons everywhere are able to age with security and dignity and to continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full rights. It also recognizes that there are emerging needs to ensure participation of senior citizens in local development policies and plans.
The social context of our family structure is ever changing. In some of the communities, the older persons have been differently viewed and discriminated in families. However, in some settings, as they are actively living with healthy life and social support from families, they are also engaged in social and economic activities. This largely proves that senior citizens are valuable resources for socio-economic development.
Both government and non-government sectors should consider the vulnerability of senior citizens and hence provide special services to those who are very poor, destitute, displaced, disabled and need long-term medical care. Although there are provisions of free health care polices for senior citizens, this is not sufficient to meet the health care needs of senior citizens at large.
As the health needs of senior citizens are multi-dimensional, there should be a provision of health care facilities for them through the establishment of separate geriatric wards. However, it is equally important to focus on psychological and mental health of senior citizens to ensure their sense of well-being.
There are emerging needs for concrete strategies and plans for policy sensitization and advocacy at all levels to create a supportive environment for implementation of national polices and programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of senior citizens across the country. The new constitution should also address the issues of older people more tangibly to ensure their participation in development activities as well as protect their rights and wellbeing in families and communities.
Undoubtedly, the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, is essential for the creation of an inclusive society for all ages in which senior citizens participate fully and without discrimination and on the basis of equality.
Writer is pursuing his PhD at Tribhuvan University
jhabindra10@yahoo.com