Our ‘silver’ population
THE Philippines has now one of the fastest ageing populations with some 9 million who are above 60 of the total 103 million. The proportion of the elderly population hads increased at a faster pace than the proportion in the younger age group. In 2040, the size of the silver population is expected to multiply three times to about 20 million. Note the exponential rise: In 1995, the population of 60 years and older was 3.7 million or 5.4% of the total population. In 2000, this had increased to 4.8 million or about 6%. In 2011, there were 7 million senior citizens or 6.9% of the total population, 1.3 million of which are indigents. Asia’s elderly population is expected to reach 923 million by 2050, one of the oldest in the world.
But governments are poorly prepared to meet the challenges that will be brought about by this demographic change. The elderly constitutes one of the most vulnerable sectors as it is the eight poorest sector of the country with a poverty incidence of 16.2%. A large percentage of this elderly population lives in the rural areas. It is evident that the issues and concerns of the elderly have not been adequately mainstreamed in the Philippine development plan. Which is why the implementation of laws on senior citizens’ welfare leaves much to be desired.
Globally, nearly 80% of the elderly have no access to pension benefits. This is true for the Filipino senior citizens. Thus, social protection of the elderly is an urgent necessity, and this is also what prompted our government to establish some form of “social pension” for the indigent elderly by giving them an additional P500 every month to augment the costs of food and medicine.
But while indeed, several safety nets had been provided by law - 20% discount on medicines, restaurants, transportation, etc., as well as financial assistance for house repairs to cushion effects of economic, disaster and calamity shocks, death benefit assistance, PhilHealth coverage, educational benefits, three critical needs of seniors which are afforded in other countries for their elderly, namely, home care, a home for the aged, and a comprehensive health insurance, are not available to our local seniors. These have not surfaced as urgent needs as yet, because traditionally, children take care of their parents or grandparents.
But family life is changing as both husband and wife are now both working. There is an increase in people mobility. The “kasambahay” or househelper may soon disappear as he/she may opt for a different kind of work. Then Lola will not have anyone to provide the support service. This is where a comprehensive health care service in a center or home would answer that need. Perhaps the government, together with the private sector (which can regard this support as part of its commitment to CSR), could start thinking about how these can be added to the existing package of benefits.
Additional legislation on human rights concerns such as social exclusion, protection of the dignity of our elderly, facilitating access to justice and other legal rights, may help empower them further. Once passed into laws, there should be mechanisms for monitoring to ensure strict implementation. The recognition of new needs among our senior population by government should lead to the restructuring of government and social service institutions, new designs for our public buildings and recreational facilities, and emergence of new employment opportunities.
Among some of the aspirations and needs of older folks are how to remain healthy, physically and spiritually, being financially independent, socially connected, how to establish new friendships, how to keep one’s sense of self-worth, and having access to information. It is being able to live a life of “active ageing” defined as “optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. The word “active” means continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual, and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labor force.”
The constraints and problems that our ageing sector faces today can be turned into opportunities if the government has the political will, and understands how it can prepare to meet these challenges. An ageing population will require additional investments in social services and health care. Insurance companies will need to seek ways to price risk because of uncertainty in health costs and lifespans. But there will be economic opportunities such as medical tourism. Investments in wellness centers that would draw tourists from various countries of the world would boost the local tourism industry. Hopefully, it would also generate new job opportunities, new health products and services.