Health and Care of an Ageing Population: Alignment of Health and Social Systems to Address the Need

Abstract

Population ageing is both an achievement and challenge, an achievement as longevity is the result of successful prevention and control of diseases, decreasing fertility rates and overall socio-economic development. It is at the same time a challenge as the increasing number of older people and the resultant demographic shift are accompanied by the need to adjust and scale up the social and health care systems. The challenges are of particular relevance to the developing world where the demographic shift is occurring much faster.

Comprehensive efforts based on country contexts are required in the following areas: (a) older persons and development, (b) health and well-being and (c) enabling and supportive environments to address population ageing needs. This article, however, focuses only on three most crucial issues, that is, livelihood, health care systems and care of the older dependent people. Measures to sustain the livelihood of older people, to align the health systems to provide care and to develop long-term care systems are highlighted. Person-centred care, integration and functional capacity are advocated. Further, ageing in place or living in one’s own home, community or a place with the closest fit with the person’s needs and preferences is considered very important for healthy ageing.

In terms of enhancing livelihood, major policy changes and reforms to improve the social security systems and expanding coverage as well as increasing the amounts to minimum subsistence levels are highlighted. Another area which needs to be strengthened is the tradition of existing family support systems.

The health systems alignment required are reflected for each health system building block, and focuses mainly on (a) developing and ensuring access to services that provide older-person-centred care; (b) shifting the clinical focus from disease to intrinsic capacity; and (c) developing or reorienting the health workforce to provide care as per alignment.

Long-term care systems would best meet the needs of dependent older people if families, communities, civil society organisations and private sector are equally involved while governments play leadership roles in setting up and monitoring quality.