Age well: attitudes matter in a greying world

Age well: attitudes matter in a greying world

News:

1. WHO and Orb Media research about the old population and its various implications.

Important Facts:

2. World Health Organization finding says that 60% of people across 57 countries had negative views of old age.

• According to population trends by 2050 nearly one out of five people in the world will be over 65.
• Older people are often viewed as less competent and less able than younger people.
• Older people are considered a burden on society and their families rather than being recognized for their valuable knowledge, wisdom and experience.

3. The Orb media found low levels of respect for the elderly. It research for older people in 101 countries.

• There is strong connection between how we view old age and how well the people age
• The countries with low levels of respect for the elderly are at risk of mental and physical health and possess higher levels of poverty compared with others country.
• Pakistan scored the highest in terms of respect for older people.
• Respect for older people is a long-standing tradition in Pakistan. This attitude towards ageing is a much healthier embrace of the ageing.

4. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations and others:

• Older people in countries with high levels of respect for the elderly report better mental and physical well-being compared with other groups in their countries

5. Japan Status:

• Japan has world’s longest lifespans and low birth rates
• Japanese people are starting to realize that elderly people need support

6. In Brazil old age has become associated with incapacity.
7. Countries everywhere outside Africa are rapidly growing older.
8. Broader Implications of Attitude change

• A shift in attitude of people could improve a lot about old age populations.
• The countries with positive attitude towards old age report lower rates of poverty.
• Individuals with a positive attitude towards old age are likely to live longer and better health than those with a negative attitude.
• Younger populations will have to care for older populations with increasingly expensive health care needs.
• Positive attitude people are less likely to be depressed or anxious, they show increased well-being
• Positive attitude people recover more quickly from disability. They also are less likely to develop dementia and the markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
• The result from Germany, Australia and Americans have shown that people with positive views on ageing lived 7.5 years longer than those with negative views.
• Some research shows that increasing meaningful contact between young and older people can break down negative stereotypes.