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As people are living longer than ever before, society needs to make an investment in the elderly, according to a new report.
“Comprehensive public-health action on ageing is urgently needed, and there is something that can be done in every setting, no matter what the level of socio-economic development,” declared the World Health Organization’s World Report on Ageing and Health, released last week.
The world population is rapidly aging, meaning that both the young and the old need to start making changes to improve society now and in the future. As improvements are made in medical care are made, it would be a mistake to think that 70-year-olds no longer need assistance from society.
Investing in (as opposed to spending money on) the elderly will be rewarded with better health systems, better health, and greater participation in society, according to the report. Other benefits mentioned include allowing the elderly to maintain lives of dignity and allowing women to remain in the workforce.
Needed investments include providing the elderly with social support, medical care and products, and access to needed community services. (Read more about West Philadelphia “age-friendliness” here.) The report also argued in favor of investing in high-quality long-term care.
Read the complete WHO report here.