Nowadays, People Live Longer Than Ever Before, What Problems Does This Present?

Nowadays, people live longer than ever before, what problems does this present? In most of the developed countries, many policies have been implemented to cope with the ageing population. In the past, most people retired at the age of fifty. Nowadays, people enjoy retirements only after three scores. The ageing population is usually more prevalent in the developed countries than in the developing countries. This may boil down to the better quality of life in the first-world countries nowadays. However, the greying population can in fact hinder the economic progress and social improvement of a country.
The longer lifespan of the population has caused some inevitable problems to the economic development of a country. Incontrovertibly, most of the silver generation lose their edge in terms of the health condition and the working ability. Whilst tax is being increased to enhance the well-being of the aged, the workforce which comprises the octogenarians is losing competitiveness and capability. In order to surmount the aforementioned challenges, new blood has to be injected into the workforce from time to time so that the engine to boost the economy can be driven continuously. Healthy population growth contributes to the talent pool and the consumer market of a nation. The government is promoting population growth by implementing many pro-family schemes such as “Have Three or More” and attracting foreign talents to support the ageing population.
Furthermore, the elderly are regarded as burdens to the government nowadays. Growing number of senior citizens means increasing need for geriatric care such as the amenities, healthcare and social services. More financial resources and manpower thus have to be channelled to the development of such infrastructure. This may in turn hamper the growth of the industrial and commercial sectors. To maintain the national development while ensuring sufficient care to the aged, the “Many Helping Hands” approach is introduced whereby the individual, family and community share the responsibility of taking care of the senior citizens. This reduces the reliance on the taxes and alleviates the government’s burden. Thus, the resources saved can be used to develop other sectors and minimize the impact of the ageing population.
Moreover, sometimes, the older people can bring troubles to their families. Admittedly, the aged require more medical attention and are prone to illness. Their family members thus have to afford the high medical cost and look after them painstakingly. Should the elderly suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the family may suffer physically, financially and mentally. Hence, it is integral for everyone to maintain physical and mental health so as to ensure an enjoyable and self-reliant retirement. The individual plays a major role in leading healthy lifestyle by adopting balanced diet, exercising regularly and abstaining from smoking and booze. It is a personal responsibility to plan early and be financially prepared for one’s old age.
All in all, the ageing population is a challenge to the economy, the government and the society. Albeit the silver population may be less able to contribute to the national development, their well-being must still be well taken care of. The high level of development enjoyed nowadays is attributed to the effort of the older generation in the past. In the case of the crows, they feed their parents once they have grown up. Are we, the most intelligent beings, no better than the crows?