Ageing in Developing Societies: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Ageing has emerged as a major challenge in several developing societies. With falling fertility rates and increasing longevity as its main drivers, it is expected that by 2050, one in five people of the developing countries will be over 60 years of age. It is argued that on account of this, such societies would further encounter an increased demand for medical treatment, long-term care, financial and emotional support. They also are likely to face an enormous psychological burden. In the context of ageing, the article highlights some of the key issues and challenges encountered by the developing societies. Urbanisation, changing family structure and drifting intergenerational relationships are seen as factors that have led to a multitude of psychological problems like social isolation, loneliness, abuse and discrimination and depression in older adults. The article argues in support of health and other social protective measures and calls for the need to recognise the strengths of older adults with a view to integrate them into the mainstream.

Urban Ageing Welfare Leaking and Remedy Strategies in Macau

“…Remedy strategies for ageing welfare leaking have been proposed: (1) social security system: [7] found that retirement is a major problem for vulnerable families in Macau. Thus, improving the social security system to society's future retirement security needs is important.…”

“…The goal is to create community-based non-formal lifelong learning opportunities for developing inclusive, equitable, and caring active ageing societies. (7) Legal system: the law provides a benchmark to protect and promote an age-friendly environment [33]. (8) Population policy: China has announced a new population policy for encouraging reproduction and having multiple children in the family to solve the foreseeable economic development and ageing welfare issues [34].…”

“…Pensions are the most reliable source of income for older adults in Macau [6]. With the intensification of the ageing of Macau's population over recent years, it is now of great significance to study the impact on pension benefits and other policy remedies to support the ageing society [7]. This localized ageing case could offer global reference when dealing with ageing rectification.…”

Health Risks Related to Climate Changes among Older Adults

“…The process of aging is perceived in multiple ways including chronological age and biological markers such as impairment in vision and hearing, wrinkling skin, and fatigue, who represent the fastest-growing segment of populations throughout the world. However, families and communities often use other sociocultural referents to define age, including family status (grandparents), physical appearance, or age-related health conditions (Kohli et al, 2020).…”

Getting Extreme Poverty Narrated: Methodological Challenges of Interviewing Older Persons

“…Demographic projections have confirmed that more older persons are expected to live in developing countries (Kohli et al, 2020;Lloyd-Sherlock, 2000;Shetty, 2012). This exposes them to life in conditions of extreme poverty, marginalization, and vulnerability in absence or lack of proper policy response and erosion in the traditional forms of support structure.…”