Elderly
Content
Traditional Societies – non western countries i.e. China + India V Industrialized / Modern Society More respect - wise Less respect-a nuisance – non productive, dependent, out of step with the times. Authority – increased with age Less authority – less power / decision making Maintained assets -rich Retired – possibly poor Status –pinnacle of the status one could achieve Reduced status Good family support network Unrewarding life maybe – not living with children Now have a society where many are physically healthy in old age, an outward looking view will become more prevalent. But can have positive roles, doting grandparent etc. See article – The age of reason, T.I.I. 13-03-2008. Those in retirement might find renewal in what has been called the ‘third age’, in which a new phase of education begins. People, especially in richer countries, are leading longer, healthier and more productive lives than ever before.
Today, increasingly age normally brings with it something of the reverse…the accumulated knowledge of older people often seems to the young no longer a valuable store of wisdom, but simply behind the times’ (Giddens 2001) While characterised as more moral, friendly and trustworthy, crucially older people are also viewed as less competent than younger people. Physical ageing is inevitable, but for most people proper nutrition, diet and exercise can preserve a high level of health well into old age. Loss of role (resulting from retirement) Materially disadvantaged –lower standard of living Lower status – loss of power Loss of health, independence Loss of relatives and friends Separation from children who live elsewhere – social isolation - withdrawal Poverty as a result of unemployment Fear of crime – loss of a sense of safety Elder abuse Elder abuse or ‘granny battering’ has recently been identified as a problem by researchers. Many victims are reluctant to talk about it. Abuse can take the form of passive neglect to active torment which includes verbal, emotional, financial and physical harm.
Gains: Time Actively retired report increased life satisfaction Contribution to caring for others Leisure choices Social contact Creativity opportunities Dr. Mary Davies – 1994 Attitudes to ageing in Ireland Attitudes improved 2003-2008 Believe older people are treated worse than others (increased awareness?) Discrimination – at work – up slightly - in healthcare – down slightly Volunteerism significant contribution If higher participation is combined with later payment of pensions, reductions in pensions can be achieved. Increased participation is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for tackling the long-run costs associated with population ageing and this policy objective is reflected in the National Pensions Framework. The absolute income levels of older people are understandably lower than the population in general because, for most people, retirement brings a significant reduction in income, with older people becoming dependent on some form of pension for the bulk of their income. For electricity/natural gas, telephone rental and for a free TV licence. medical card prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances free travel pass for use on public transport Participation in leisure activities is associated with a lower risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes and mortality. Many studies have shown that engaging in voluntary work in later life predicts better self-rated health, functioning, physical activity, and life satisfaction, and also decreases depression, hypertension, and mortality among older people. Conversely, loneliness has been shown to predict a wide variety of negative mental and physical health outcomes, such as depression, nursing home admission, and mortality. People also engage with their communities through religion, and participation in religious activities has been associated with better quality of life and health outcomes in older persons. . For a number of years ageing has been high on the policy agenda in Ireland, but also internationally at the European Union (EU) and the United Nations. In 2002 the United Nation’s Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing was adopted. It is the first international agreement that specifically recognises the potential of older people to contribute to the development of their societies, and commits governments to include ageing in all social and economic development policies, and to halve old-age poverty by 2015, Essentially, the plan recommends that governments include older people in national development and socialpolicy processes (such as poverty-reduction strategies and national development plans). It covers growing
areas of concern for older people and their families, including poverty, violence and abuse, access to health services and social protection. In 2002 the National Plan for Social Inclusion (Government of Ireland, 2002) set out a vision of older people living active and full lives in their own homes for as long as possible and having sufficient income to support an acceptable standard of living. Also in 2002, the Equality Authority published its report ‘Implementing Equality for Older Persons’ which contained 72 recommendations relating to policy making, work, income, age limits and health and social care. The government has recently consulted on what should be in the new National Positive Ageing Strategy (consultation period ended September 2009). Overall, these findings on issues relating to respect and recognition suggest that attitudes are becoming more positive towards older people but there is a growing sense among the public that things are not really that great for older people. According to Census 2002, 6 per cent of those aged 65 and over participate in the labour force. Older people were also asked about how they felt they were treated by others: 33 per cent reported perceiving that they were treated better than the general population, while 27.5 per cent reported the opposite. A society for all ages is the foundation of an age friendly society. In such a society the interdependence of generations and of individuals is emphasised; diversity is recognised; the identity, values and beliefs of the individual are protected; and social cohesion is fostered through the adoption of socially inclusive policies and priorities. In a society for all ages, the generations are valued equally and intergenerational solidarity is part of the social contract. In keeping with the WHO’s policy framework on active ageing, an age friendly society will seek to enhance the quality of life of its citizens as they age by optimising their opportunities for health, participation and security. An age friendly society will take account of all of the determinants of active ageing in its national, regional and local policies and strategies. A positive view of ageing is an integral aspect of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. Recognition of the authority, wisdom, dignity and restraint that comes with a lifetime of experience has been a normal feature of the respect accorded to the old throughout history. These values are often neglected in some societies and older persons are disproportionately Although healthy ageing is naturally an increasingly important issue for older persons, public focus on the scale and cost of healthcare, pensions and other services have sometimes fostered a negative image of ageing. Images of older persons as attractive, diverse and creative individuals making vital contributions should compete for the public’s attention. Older women are particularly affected by misleading and negative stereotypes: instead of being portrayed in ways that reflect their contributions, strengths, resourcefulness and humanity, they are often depicted as weak and dependent. This reinforces exclusionary practices at the local and national levels. The NCAOP has identified a number of barriers to the development of an age friendly society in Ireland. In the first instance these relate to our attitudes to and understanding of ageing and older people; in the second, to policy, planning and standard setting deficiencies leading to inadequate provision for the ageing of the population and for our oldest citizens. The attitudinal and conceptual barriers relate to: • endemic ageism in Irish society;
• equating old age with dependence; • confusion regarding the meaning of dependency; • inappropriate models of old age; • negative perspectives on the ageing of the population. The policy, planning and standard setting limitations relate to: • current national policy on ageing and older people; • inadequacies in information for planning purposes; • lack of quality standards development; • lack of agreement on the respective roles and responsibilities of all sectors in building and maintaining an age friendly society. Barriers to the Development of an Age Friendly Society in Ireland A critical barometer of how age friendly a society is relates to prevailing thinking, attitudes and behaviour towards its older citizens individually and its older population in general. When these are negative, we call it ageism. Equating old age with dependence has become self-fulfilling as society denies its older citizens the opportunity to continue to participate in economic and other activities on the grounds of their age, and provides inadequate financial, health, social and physical supports to those whose independence may be compromised for want of them. Understandably under these circumstances, many older people have succumbed to the prevailing negative circumstances and have internalised a view of themselves as dependent on others for all their needs.
Today, increasingly age normally brings with it something of the reverse…the accumulated knowledge of older people often seems to the young no longer a valuable store of wisdom, but simply behind the times’ (Giddens 2001) While characterised as more moral, friendly and trustworthy, crucially older people are also viewed as less competent than younger people. Physical ageing is inevitable, but for most people proper nutrition, diet and exercise can preserve a high level of health well into old age. Loss of role (resulting from retirement) Materially disadvantaged –lower standard of living Lower status – loss of power Loss of health, independence Loss of relatives and friends Separation from children who live elsewhere – social isolation - withdrawal Poverty as a result of unemployment Fear of crime – loss of a sense of safety Elder abuse Elder abuse or ‘granny battering’ has recently been identified as a problem by researchers. Many victims are reluctant to talk about it. Abuse can take the form of passive neglect to active torment which includes verbal, emotional, financial and physical harm.
Gains: Time Actively retired report increased life satisfaction Contribution to caring for others Leisure choices Social contact Creativity opportunities Dr. Mary Davies – 1994 Attitudes to ageing in Ireland Attitudes improved 2003-2008 Believe older people are treated worse than others (increased awareness?) Discrimination – at work – up slightly - in healthcare – down slightly Volunteerism significant contribution If higher participation is combined with later payment of pensions, reductions in pensions can be achieved. Increased participation is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for tackling the long-run costs associated with population ageing and this policy objective is reflected in the National Pensions Framework. The absolute income levels of older people are understandably lower than the population in general because, for most people, retirement brings a significant reduction in income, with older people becoming dependent on some form of pension for the bulk of their income. For electricity/natural gas, telephone rental and for a free TV licence. medical card prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances free travel pass for use on public transport Participation in leisure activities is associated with a lower risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes and mortality. Many studies have shown that engaging in voluntary work in later life predicts better self-rated health, functioning, physical activity, and life satisfaction, and also decreases depression, hypertension, and mortality among older people. Conversely, loneliness has been shown to predict a wide variety of negative mental and physical health outcomes, such as depression, nursing home admission, and mortality. People also engage with their communities through religion, and participation in religious activities has been associated with better quality of life and health outcomes in older persons. . For a number of years ageing has been high on the policy agenda in Ireland, but also internationally at the European Union (EU) and the United Nations. In 2002 the United Nation’s Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing was adopted. It is the first international agreement that specifically recognises the potential of older people to contribute to the development of their societies, and commits governments to include ageing in all social and economic development policies, and to halve old-age poverty by 2015, Essentially, the plan recommends that governments include older people in national development and socialpolicy processes (such as poverty-reduction strategies and national development plans). It covers growing
areas of concern for older people and their families, including poverty, violence and abuse, access to health services and social protection. In 2002 the National Plan for Social Inclusion (Government of Ireland, 2002) set out a vision of older people living active and full lives in their own homes for as long as possible and having sufficient income to support an acceptable standard of living. Also in 2002, the Equality Authority published its report ‘Implementing Equality for Older Persons’ which contained 72 recommendations relating to policy making, work, income, age limits and health and social care. The government has recently consulted on what should be in the new National Positive Ageing Strategy (consultation period ended September 2009). Overall, these findings on issues relating to respect and recognition suggest that attitudes are becoming more positive towards older people but there is a growing sense among the public that things are not really that great for older people. According to Census 2002, 6 per cent of those aged 65 and over participate in the labour force. Older people were also asked about how they felt they were treated by others: 33 per cent reported perceiving that they were treated better than the general population, while 27.5 per cent reported the opposite. A society for all ages is the foundation of an age friendly society. In such a society the interdependence of generations and of individuals is emphasised; diversity is recognised; the identity, values and beliefs of the individual are protected; and social cohesion is fostered through the adoption of socially inclusive policies and priorities. In a society for all ages, the generations are valued equally and intergenerational solidarity is part of the social contract. In keeping with the WHO’s policy framework on active ageing, an age friendly society will seek to enhance the quality of life of its citizens as they age by optimising their opportunities for health, participation and security. An age friendly society will take account of all of the determinants of active ageing in its national, regional and local policies and strategies. A positive view of ageing is an integral aspect of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. Recognition of the authority, wisdom, dignity and restraint that comes with a lifetime of experience has been a normal feature of the respect accorded to the old throughout history. These values are often neglected in some societies and older persons are disproportionately Although healthy ageing is naturally an increasingly important issue for older persons, public focus on the scale and cost of healthcare, pensions and other services have sometimes fostered a negative image of ageing. Images of older persons as attractive, diverse and creative individuals making vital contributions should compete for the public’s attention. Older women are particularly affected by misleading and negative stereotypes: instead of being portrayed in ways that reflect their contributions, strengths, resourcefulness and humanity, they are often depicted as weak and dependent. This reinforces exclusionary practices at the local and national levels. The NCAOP has identified a number of barriers to the development of an age friendly society in Ireland. In the first instance these relate to our attitudes to and understanding of ageing and older people; in the second, to policy, planning and standard setting deficiencies leading to inadequate provision for the ageing of the population and for our oldest citizens. The attitudinal and conceptual barriers relate to: • endemic ageism in Irish society;
• equating old age with dependence; • confusion regarding the meaning of dependency; • inappropriate models of old age; • negative perspectives on the ageing of the population. The policy, planning and standard setting limitations relate to: • current national policy on ageing and older people; • inadequacies in information for planning purposes; • lack of quality standards development; • lack of agreement on the respective roles and responsibilities of all sectors in building and maintaining an age friendly society. Barriers to the Development of an Age Friendly Society in Ireland A critical barometer of how age friendly a society is relates to prevailing thinking, attitudes and behaviour towards its older citizens individually and its older population in general. When these are negative, we call it ageism. Equating old age with dependence has become self-fulfilling as society denies its older citizens the opportunity to continue to participate in economic and other activities on the grounds of their age, and provides inadequate financial, health, social and physical supports to those whose independence may be compromised for want of them. Understandably under these circumstances, many older people have succumbed to the prevailing negative circumstances and have internalised a view of themselves as dependent on others for all their needs.
