Given that there is no ideal, one-size-fits-all economic system for an ageing population, one must carry out detailed discussions on possible future policy alternatives with regards to the extension of working life and the sustainability of social protection measures. One way to meet the economic challenges of an ageing population is by adjusting policies over a wide range of economic and social sectors and/or activities, especially those that support higher rates of economic growth and employment.
Unemployment is an obvious waste of productive resources and creating a situation of full employment will help to raise the total resources available in any given economy. However, increasing awareness pertaining to the benefits of working in later life will not, by itself, bring higher levels of older workers in the labour market. Such measures must be supplemented by more aggressive policies that break down age barriers and militate against discrimination in the employment of older adults.
More specific policies include the implementation of age-friendly labour market policies, such as job-matching, job-search assistance, training, and counselling; the removal of barriers to work longer, such as incentives that favour early retirement; better training of older workers; and an increase in employment opportunities for older adults living in rural and remote areas through distance learning and training.
Age-friendly development is a broad, cross-cutting concept that requires long term vision, collaboration, political and community buy-in, and diversified, sustainable funding. Municipal and regional planning takes into account the needs and input of the elderly, while affordable housing and public buildings are designed to be accessible and adaptive to modifications, such as first floor living and step-free showers.
Transportation projects, including increased public transit and low-cost taxis, promote community integration and accessibility. Infrastructural work that enables pedestrians to walk safely on properly constructed sidewalks is needed, as are more street benches. Other age-friendly initiatives include civic engagement in local community efforts, intergenerational initiatives, opportunities for meaningful volunteering and paid work.
Moreover, age-friendly communities support the integrated efforts of voluntary organisations through initiatives such as neighbourhood watch and other programmes designed to socialise and provide security for the elderly in their homes. These also promote the independence of the elderly, while decreasing the need for their admission to costly, long-term care homes.
Community-based social services, including meal delivery, adult day programmes and caregiver support, meet the changing needs of those elderly that are home-bound as well as their caregivers' needs, while acknowledging their on-going contribution to society. Engaging the elderly in the creation of age-friendly communities requires an effective communication system that reaches residents of all ages and is based on both oral and printed communication that is accessible to the elderly.
In order to leverage the impact of public private partnerships (PPPs) on active and healthy ageing, a paradigm shift is needed in the planning and coordination of both immediate and long-term caring requirements - whereby community care should be focused on wellness, disease prevention, health promotion, and chronic illness management. As there is and will be a large number of healthier and better educated older people in the future, there will be an urgent need to provide specialised services.
Although some mechanisms supporting PPPs are already in place, there is the need for a more comprehensive analysis of the current provisions, focused on determining whether they are meeting the needs of the elderly. Facilities should be tailor-made in such a way as to provide person-centred care rather than having a one-size-fits-all system. Moreover, there should be continuous monitoring in order to check whether the system is being abused, while services should be appraised in order to determine whether they are being counterproductive and creating dependency issues.
Indeed, the complexity inherent in ageing populations requires a thorough co-ordination between different types of services in order to ensure the highest quality of care for older persons, who experience a wide array of social and health challenges.
This week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared that the government will be tackling the issue of poverty amongst the elderly. The goverment, with the use of several new services and benefits, is also educating the elderly on how to stay healthy and keep active. So far, we have launched a series of lifelong learning sessions that promote a higher degree of social integration among the elderly.
These include programmes that help the elderly develop IT skills. The idea is to keep the elderly active, even at the workplace, so that we can build what is referred to as a 'silver economy.' This is crucial because Malta, like several other European Countries, is facing a demographic situation in which approximately 25 per cent of its population is above the age of 60. That is why the concept of active ageing is so important for our society.