The Grey Tsunami Essay - Grade: A PDF

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In the wake of such natural disasters as the Japanese and Indonesian tsunamis, of which were associated with horrendous human and geographical damage, we began to see the term ‘Grey tsunami’, or ‘Silver tsunami’, used in the media, specifically to epitomise the anticipated impact of the growing huma...

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The Grey Tsunami

In the wake of such natural disasters as the Japanese and Indonesian tsunamis, of which were associated with horrendous human and geographical damage, we began to see the term ‘Grey tsunami’, or ‘Silver tsunami’, used in the media, specifically to epitomise the anticipated impact of the growing human longevity (Gordon, 2014). To put it simply, the ‘Grey Tsunami’ is an ageing population that is distinguished by a growing number and proportion of older people in our world (Tinker, 2002). This worldwide phenomenon is the result of all the various advances that mankind has achieved throughout the decades in pharmaceutical, and other health care related practices. According to BBC News, ‘the fastest growing demographic in the UK is elderly people over 85, who’s numbers are projected to more than double by 2035, increasing by 1.5 million’ (Ives, 2019). As a result of the rapidly increasing older population, society’s awareness of the implications that may arise in the future has been heightened, hence, the ageing population has been interpreted as a detrimental impact on the economy and to society (Allison et al., 2019). The purpose of this essay is to provide a discussion on the impacts of an ageing population on more than just healthcare, and to challenge the concept of this ‘Grey Tsunami’ as being primarily seen as a dilemma in the modern world today. A decline in birth rates and an increase in life expectancy rates are both shifting the age distribution of population towards older ages, which results in a pronounced and historically unprecedented ‘longevity revolution’ (Atkins, 2017). According to research, recorded in history for the first time, there are currently more people over the age of 60 on the planet than there are children under the age of 15. ‘The world has never been so old, and it is getting older rapidly’ (Gentry & Mittelslaedt, 2017). With the increase in life expectancy, (going up by 6 hours per day), the number of aged people is perceived in very different ways. The most common concern expressed in the majority of articles is that the rise in morbidity has been increasing the burden and strain on healthcare systems (Lunenfeld & Stratton, 2013). Ostensibly, the Nuffeild Trust has recently estimated that under the current healthcare system, the NHS in England will predominantly see a funding shortfall of around £54 billion by 2021/2022 (Mander, 2014). This is detrimental, as an increasing ageing population also increases the demand for healthcare and social care services for treatment and aid of emerging (with old age) conditions such as diabetes, dementia, arthritis, coronary heart disease and strokes. But besides the important and accounted for effects on health care services, there are

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other ramifications of this maturing population, such as replacement fertility (a term used by demographers when they refer to levels of childbearing). It is known that an average of 2.1 children per woman (accounts for the individuals who do not give birth), is considered to be sufficient for sustaining a country’s population through internal growth. However, said countries are now experiencing a lower level of fertility rate (Foot, 2013), and this automatically affects economic growth. Around two thirds of the potentially negative impact on Europe originates from a pointedly declining workforce, relative to a non-working, dependent, population (Mantel, 2001). An ageing world, combined with declining populations, impact economic growth, wealth accumulation, asset returns and pension statements. This is as a result of the retirement of a large group of baby boomers, reducing the quantity of skilled workers, which therefore contributes to a lowering of workforce participation rates, while also consequently raising dependency ratios (Jorgensen & Tayler, 2008). This reduction of economic growth affects the quality and demand of healthcare services needed by many dependents, mentioned previously. In addition, housing needs to be single or double unites, constructed with ensured ease of access for elderly persons with physical disadvantages, such as bad backs (Raeside & Khan, 2008). The living expenses of more aged people are significantly diverse, due to the differences in health and physical ability, financial stability and domestic living situations. A too hot or too cold environment presents physical risks, as changes such as lower metabolic rates and poor blood circulation become crucial (Guy et al., 2015). Demographic ageing is also influencing behaviour and affecting both family structures and kinship roles, that are increasingly an integral component of both social networking and reciprocal care (Harper, 2004). This could suggest that the increased longevity has the potential of increasing the time spent in certain roles of kinship, for example a parent of a dependent child. This jounral also conveys the fact that the extended economic dependence bestowed upon the parents delays not only the individual’s full transition into adulthood, but also the unfortunate experience of the empty nest syndrome for the parents themselves. We can recognise that there are increasing pressures on the middle-aged, who have to cope with both their children and their ageing parents. This demographic change will also have significant implications for leisure and community behaviour, networks and social interactions and emotional strain is likely to arise within families, as large numbers of elderly people become reliant on decreasing numbers of children to care for them in their time of dependency (Harper, 2014). As part of a wider study of family caregiving, a sample of 297 women caring for an 2

ageing parent was collected, involving over 26,000 households in Australia (Murphy et al., 1997). In addition to the care that they were providing to the elderly, half of these women were employed, and a third had their own dependent children. This meant that overload was most concerning for carers with multiple roles, especially for those who had to leave their respected jobs and to those without a partner. Unmistakeably, caregiving for ageing parents has fallen on the shoulders of women in multigenerational households, however, rising labour force participation, declining fertility and marriage rates, and women’s changing expectations have combined to produce new strains on the traditional multigenerational households (takeda et al., 2004). Most of the developed countries of the world already display an older demographic profile, but ranked by median age, Europe is currently the eldest region in the world and should retain the characteristic through 2050 (Kulik et al., 2014). Undoubtably, population ageing is recognised as a global issue of increasing importance, however, these issues remain relatively under researched particularly in developing countries, and furthermore, since 1980, there have been more older people living in developing, rather than developed areas (Lloyd-Sherlock, 2000). By 2050, one in 5 people in poorer nations will be over 60 years old, as a result of improvements in healthcare, particularly in Asia (Shetty, 2012). This implies that many of the healthcare systems in developing, low income and resource, countries will have to try and balance out the fight against existing diseases, as well as managing the new tide of illness associated with older people, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With the increase in demand for better healthcare services, there also comes a greater need for food security and social welfare services. Focusing on a case study on the demographic profile of Ghana (MBA, 2014), it reveals that currently people aged 60 years and older construct around 7% of the country’s total population, which is seen as among the highest in Africa. This was a result of rapidly decreasing fertility rates and improvements in public health measures, personal hygiene and sanitation in Ghana. In the study, from a census that was carried out, it was revealed that these older people had no former education and were engaged in agricultural activities. The study comments on how Ghana’s rapidly increasing number of older citizens are in a situation that is likely to initiate more poverty. From previous discussion, regarding the impact of elderly persons on families, we can also identify the same problem occurring in developed countries. In comparison to developed countries, developing countries are less fortunate and have a lower income, so the employed or working individuals in families are crucial in supporting and providing for the rest of the family members (they, typically the men, are seen as the 3

breadwinners). By having more elderly family members, there is an increased need for medical care and aid around the household, meaning that the income made by, for instance, working in the fields, will have to be directed for use in buying medicines and paying hospital bills. Workers and children would also have to stay at home and take care of their aged family members, instead of working or gaining an education, decreasing the overall income that is brought it, and plunging them into a state of more poverty, implied by the Ghana case study. An ageing population may not necessarily be a completely worrying matter, in fact, an older society has many benefits that are not always put into light. Due to individuals retiring and travelling less, in addition to changing consumption patterns over their life cycles, CO2 emissions have been lowered, positively effecting the environment (Kluge et al., 2014). Older people also tend to play a supporting role in society, maintaining informal social networks which help bind communities and families together. Acting grandparents find that looking after their families is an important aspect in their lives and makes them feel fulfilled (Allison et al., 2019). Grandparenting has become a significant social role, in a period of time where people have more living parents that children. Older people are seen to be net providers too, at least up to the age of 75. By providing childcare, financial, practical and emotional assistance to their family members, the unpaid caring and voluntary work adds up to a significant proportion of GDP (Healy, 2004). Professor Andrew Scott, a member of the APPG’s (All-Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity), claimed that living longer presents a ‘possibility of rethinking how our entire life course might unfold’. For example, older people undertaking education or training to improve or change careers in the later life or finding better solutions to allow homeowners to downsize into more suitable properties, or live an independent life for longer (Cook, 2019). Crime rates are likely to lessen, as elderly people are more likely to abide to the law, resulting in money being saved in prisons and policing costs in the future. However, there is a common fear of crime a amongst the older population, that also determines their psychological well-being (Lawton & Yaffe, 1980). With a growing ageing population, methods need to be reinforced to combat the problem of increasing demands for healthcare or nursing support. One challenge is to strengthen the view of older people as active, involved and experienced, and broaden their roles beyond being patients and care receivers (Ostlund, 2015). Social participation has been linked to healthier ageing and helps in maintaining the functional independence in elder individuals. For example, volunteering schemes enables older residents to feel more active and involved within the community, increasing their sense of belonging and rejuvenating them. Urban environments need to implement social value. These could include 4

strong social networks at street level, such as neighbour’s assistance with shopping, looking after the home or collecting prescriptions (Woolrych & Sixsmith, 2017). In recent years, the notion of ‘Ageing in Place’ has become especially important in redefining social care policy and health for older people. The basis of this notion is that helping elder people to remain living at home positively contributes to an increase in wellbeing, social participation and healthy ageing. Additionally, care at home is often seen as less costly than moving vulnerable old people to supportive environments such as care homes (Sixsmith & Sixsmith, 2008). Health benefits could also come from the promotion of regular exercise and healthy eating, which may often relate to psychological, as well as direct health gains (Andrews, 2001). In Australia, the government strategizes to encourage the older workers to remain in paid employment by provision of incentives, including earlier tax offsets for older workers. In addition to the financial benefits, other advantages could include social engagement, maintenance of selfesteem and self-concept, and a sense of structure and routine in daily time use (Fraser et al., 2009). This also has an effect on health and wellbeing, reducing the strain on healthcare and providing for the economy. This essay is primarily focused on the topical issue of to what extent the ‘grey tsunami’ will overwhelm society. Through research and exploration of different areas, it can be established that an increasing ageing population is inevitable in all areas of the world, although in differing rates. The rise in life expectancy rates will have clear implications on both the economy and the society, such as changing support ratios, an increase in pressure for individuals who have to provide for both old and young generations in the household, and a decline in labour participation rates, it’s negative effect being magnified through the slowdown in productivity growth. It is also identified that the impacts on developing and developed countries slightly vary, depending on the volume of income that is generated and the standard and quality of living in each region. There are many ramifications, but they are anticipated, meaning that we have opportunities to combat the problems that may arise in the future. Health care strains could be reduced by enhanced encouragement of healthy living and eating, and volunteering and engagement within communities would be beneficial to the economy in addition to the social participation and well-being of elders, as they are participating without the intention of generating profit. Furthermore, they are able to gain a sense of belonging and purpose. If we do not challenge existing social attitudes and stereotypes, population ageing might indeed lead to a crisis in the provision of health and welfare services, overwhelming society. We should neglect the notion of elders having only a detrimental impact in society and perceive an ageing 5

population as a welcomed opportunity for challenging outdated public perceptions and promote the independence and quality of life of older people.

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