The world has experienced a considerable improvement in health status over the past century. Life expectancy has increased due to low mortality rates , and, according to UN (2004), this trend is expected to persist for decades. Thus, people are living longer than before. The major source of this achievement are the advances in medicine and socio-economic progress of countries in 20th century which are still continuing. These advances have resulted in high treatment technologies, therapies and interventions for diseases, and improved living conditions for the population.
In the past, mortality was high, particularly among children. Very few people were able to enter adulthood and possibly old-age due to the high mortality from parasitic and
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The opportunities may be seen in the emergence of new markets, and an invaluable social resource via their life experiences and wisdom. The elderly significantly contribute to the welfare of younger generations in their families and communities. For instance, in SSA, some elderly persons are caregivers for grandchildren, either due to death, sickness or migration (Kakwani and Subbarao, 2005). Resolution of conflicts is one major role that elderly people also play in societies.
On the contrary, the increasing share of the elderly also bring with it challenges. As suggested by Ban Ki-moon :
…the social and economic implications of this phenomenon are profound, extending far beyond the individual older person and the immediate family, touching broader society and the global community in unprecedented ways. (Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and A Challenge, United Nations Populations Fund and HelpAge International, 2012)
That is ageing does affect families, government and the global community as well. These changes affect transportation, social services, health and the economy. For instance, the growing elderly population would reflect a rise in the amount of social and healthcare requirements to ensure healthy ageing population (Polder et al, 2002; Lee, 2003; Grossman, 1999; Martini et al,