WORKSHOP H - AGEING POPULATION


59th COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE


Johannesburg, South Africa Workshop H - 4 September 2013


POLICY SOLUTIONS FOR CARING FOR AN AGEINGPOPULATION


Moderator: Hon. Asser Kuveri Kapere, MP (Namibia) Chairman of the National Council


Discussion Leaders: Hon. Stephen Wade, MLC (South Australia) Ms Irene Mathyssen, MP (Canada) Dr Lam Pin Min, MP (Singapore)


Summary


Delegates discussed the increase of life expectancy and the quality of life of senior citizens. They also examined how to improve and support policy directives and decision-making for the ageing population. It was considered that Parliamentarians would develop an effective legislative framework to ensure that the aged population should be assisted with reasonably comfortable homes in their community. Consequently, although countries were not equally resourced, it was important that policy makers and legislators should ensure that programmes and policies were developed for improved quality of life and dignity for all senior citizens.


Challenges of an ageing population


The increasing cost of living is negatively impacting an ageing population who no longer earn a competitive income. Consequently, access to health institutions for services has become a challenge given they cannot afford the high cost of medication and support. Placing the ageing population in


282 | The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four


old people’s homes has also become a challenge to both elderly people and their families. When placed in such institutions, elderly people frequently suffer from isolation and loneliness, and in some cases become vulnerable should they lose the capacity to make their own decisions about their treatment and care. The role they used to play, that of being part of the social fabric of the community and within the family has lessened. In turn, many elderly people have had to initiate new friendships and forge new networks.


Policy solutions


The ageing population has become a major social challenge and there is a need to give more attention to their care and protection. This inlcudes providing sufficient and nutritious food, clothing, housing, and available and easily accessible healthcare. It is therefore imperative that economic conditions, social equality, community relations, family structures and government policies are enhanced.


Basic means of subsistence Policy solutions should ensure


that the economic system makes provision for basic means of subsistence for the ageing population. An economic system of strict capitalism and the philosophy of individualism, as applied to the aged, must be replaced by one that is more family orientated. In the context of African countries, an African Agricultural Revolution such as those implemented in African rural villages should be initiated. This helps to ensure sufficient food production in rural villages to safeguard food security. A revolution that enables people from rural villages to produce enough food to meet their necessities can become the foundation and base for food production in that region or country.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124