The writer is a development consultant and a PhD student at the University of Melbourne
syed.ali@tribune.com.pk
While ranking countries according to standardised indices is not without contention, this new index is the first of its kind which tries to attempt measuring the quality of life and well-being of older people around different countries in the world. The ranking is based on 13 different indicators concerning issues related to income security, health status, education and employment, and the availability of an enabling policy environment needed to ensure quality of life and well-being of older people.
The UN is rightly getting concerned about the problem of aging since the 21st century is seeing an unprecedented global demographic transition whereby the number of people over the age of 60 is set to increase from some 809 million today to more than two billion by 2050.
Besides richer countries, which predictably ranked highly on the newly created index, a number of lower-income countries are ranked fairly high on the Global Age Watch Index. Bolivia is one such country, which offers free health care to its older citizens despite being one of the poorest surveyed countries. Sri Lanka, with its long-term investments in health and education, was also found to be looking after its elderly population very well. Conversely, Pakistan has been ranked 89 out of the 91 countries, which is a worse ranking amongst neighbouring countries including India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
A majority of elderly people in Pakistan have scarce savings and they lack social security or health insurance coverage, especially those who have spent their lives toiling in the informal sector. In this scenario, the entire burden of caring for the elderly is placed onto the shoulders of their offspring. Children are also socially obligated to take care of their parents, no matter how desperate their own circumstances are. Yet, just because the elderly reside with their families does not mean that their needs are being fulfilled. Also, the increasing economic and psychological hardship created by the illnesses of the elderly is also understandably hard for their families to deal with.
There are over 10 million people over the age of 60 in Pakistan now and this number will keep increasing over the years. Yet, there is a dearth of government agencies or NGOs working to address the challenge of caring for the aging population. Our public and private hospitals lack geriatric wards and there are hardly any places where old people with special medical needs, or without supportive families, may seek refuge. Many elderly people remain embroiled in lingering pension disputes and are not even provided any of the income tax or travelling related concessions, which are common courtesies extended to the elderly in many other countries around the world.
A Senior Citizens Welfare Bill was formulated for Pakistan in 2007 but its passage remains pending, as does the formulation of a Senior Citizens Council, which was meant to institutionalise mechanisms to ensure adequate care and support for the elderly. Perhaps, our dismal ranking on the Global Age Watch Index will help impel our legislators and policymakers to do the needful.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2013.
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@gp65 I mean social services subsidies in health commute and other elderly benefits that some more developed countries already have in place. But to your point it is the efficient allocation of resources and not more taxes that will resolve the issue. While i respect your opinion I find it somewhat simplistic.
P.S As a side issue someone please cut the army budget by at least half!
From time immemorial, at least in the East, people had large families. The children were their insurance for the old age. That has all changed. Now, no respect for the elders, cultural shifts, life's complications. All adding up to seniors being left behind.
Such a wonderful and useful article. Its not only important that we (offspring and other stakeholders) should provide them with love and care but also take care of other special needs of the elderly. Just like young children elderly also have some special needs which needs to be taken care of.But unfortunately while for the kids every one is willing to devote time and energy but for elderly in family, hardly anyone cares..... Many a times elderly have different health needs like dementia and alzheimer's which needs to be cared with utmost commitment and empathy. Further it is important that old age should not be considered something as wasted and unproductive phase of life (which it is not) but it is important that some productive (both economically and socially) mode of engagements for the elderly should be identified, based on the community in which they are residing...... But the first thing needed is empathy, commitment and social will for elderly, which unfortunately is lacking in both of the countries .............
Sends shivers down my spine as the problems addressed in the article are real. I am from a middle class family where my parents have spent the last dime on my education and betterment a little over their last dime even thanks to the credit cards and the lure they come with. While I love them and would do whatever it takes to keep them happy making both ends meet with kids of my own is hard as it is and they being aware of these challenges and also and more importantly being proud individuals may be looked after financially by me but there are neither secure nor happy with this arrangement. We need laws that protect our elderly.
For some reason writers like to look at countries such as Pakistan for welfare problems, and appear to be oblivious of the problems facing older people in so called first world countries. Older people everywhere, unless they are on a fat private pension start running out of money and develop physical ailments very quickly as they become older. I would make an even money bet that many aged people in such countries as the US, UK, Australia, Canada require urgent medical attention, but invariably go onto a several year waiting list, and finish up dying before they are looked at. Talking from experience, I recently required a heart scan, and was told by my local hospital to come back in 3 months. I scraped up the necessary funds and paid a private institution to do the scan. The scan subsequently told me that I had experienced a heart attack. The bottom line is that politicians are too busy looking after themselves, planning the next war, or finding a project which will soak up any available funds. Government always have vast amounts of money to spend on military toys, and somehow can never negotiate a lasting peace. The last thing on their agenda is caring for aged people who require care and attention. Better get used to it folks. There are not too many countries in this world who are planning to look after older people. The only thing you can rely on is that the Governments will gouge every penny or rupee out of you whilst you still have any, and then you will be on your own.