When I'm 64 – our ageing society
TKI hot topic for 22 August 2001
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This hot topic collects some statistics and websites
to help with preparations for Keiro no Hi (Japanese Respect for the Aged
Day) on 15 September, and the International Day of Older Persons on 1
October.
Keiro no Hi has been a Japanese national holiday since 1966. It is designed
to focus attention on showing respect for long-time contributors to society,
to celebrate their longevity, and to promote greater awareness and understanding
of welfare issues concerning the elderly.
Japanese have the longest life expectancy of any nationality in the world.
According to statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare,
the average life expectancy in Japan in 1995 was 76.36 years for men and
82.84 years for women. There were more than 7,000 centenarians living
in Japan in 1996, and this number is growing rapidly.
Worldwide, the Population Division of the United Nations' Department
of Economic and Social Affairs reports that one out of every ten people
is now 60 years or older. By 2050, they estimate that one out of every
five will be 60 years or older. By 2150, that proportion will be one in
three.
The older population is also ageing.
The "oldest of the old" (80 years or older) is the fastest growing segment
of the older population worldwide. For example, in 2000 the "80 and overs"
comprised 11 percent of the 60+ age group. The number of centenarians
is estimated to increase 15-fold from 145,000 (1999 figures) to 2.2 million
by 2050.
In developed countries, the proportion of older people is higher still.
In some developed countries (like Japan), the proportion of older persons
is close to one in five. In 2050, the UN estimates that this proportion
could reach one in four, or even one in two in some countries.
The impact of an ageing population is becoming an increasingly pressing
issue for many countries, as the number of working-age people drops in
comparison to the numbers of those retired and ageing. Issues such as
government superannuation are hitting the headlines more and more often.
The potential socioeconomic impact on society that may result from an
increasing old-age dependency ratio is an area of growing research and
public debate.
Resources on TKI
Genealogy
This hot topic shows how genealogy is relevant to the curriculum and
provides links to genealogy sites and suggested ideas for classroom activities
(www.tki.org.nz/r/hot_topics/genealogy_e.php).
Resources on the wider web
New Zealand
Greypower
Greypower is an association for New Zealanders aged 50 and over. Its website
highlights some issues which concern this age group, including superannuation
issues (www.greypower.co.nz).
Human Rights Commission
The New Zealand Human Rights Commission (www.hrc.co.nz)
promotes respect for and observance of human rights. Its website has a
summary of the human rights legislation in New Zealand, on human rights
training, speeches and addresses, and reports and submissions.
The Retirement Commissioner
Calculate your retirement income at the Retirement Commissioner's website
(www.retirement.org.nz).
Government
The Government has put together a positive ageing strategy (www.osc.govt.nz/positive-ageing-strategy.html).
Research
The website of the New Zealand Institute for Research on Ageing (www.vuw.ac.nz/ageing-institute/)
hosts news, a research directory, and a calendar.
United Kingdom
I don't feel fifty
The "I don't feel fifty" website, based in the UK (www.idf50.co.uk),
takes a lighthearted approach to "senior" life, and includes resources
on computers, jobs, training, money, and health.
International
United Nations
The UN World Assembly on Ageing adopted an International Plan of Action
on Ageing in 1982. The UN International Federation on Ageing (founded
in 1973) developed a declaration of rights and responsibilities of older
persons (www.ifa-fiv.org). The UN
also has a programme on ageing (www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/index.html).
Global Action on Aging
The New York-based Global Action on Aging (www.globalaging.org/)
site has sections on elder rights, health, pensions, and events.
GeroWeb
Wayne State University's GeroWeb (www.iog.wayne.edu/GeroWeb.html)
has a virtual library on ageing which contains information on gerontology,
geriatrics, the process of ageing, services for the elderly, and the concerns
of senior citizens in general.
Curriculum links on TKI
Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum is available on TKI (www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/index_e.php).
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz. Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before using them with students.
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