Er. B.M. Kohli
Although the Govt has fixed retirement age at 60 years but relaxes the age in case of judges, doctors and for enquiry commissioners etc. up to 70 years and more , as it feels that at this age more matured judgements and enquiries can be delivered. The old is of course old but it depends on individual to individual. In old age, mostly considered later part of life, one gets to realise some loss in memory, muscle power and in other senses. Some may not lose memory, although exceptionally, but feel weakness in their working strength and decrease in stamina in later part of their lives. So when old age begins, cannot be universally defined because it shifts according to context. Although World Health Organization (WHO) put 50 as beginning of old age in Africa, yet United Nations has agreed that 60 + years may be usually denoted as beginning of old age. At the same time WHO recognises that the developing world often define old age, not by years but by inability to make active contribution to society and most of the developed Nations have set the retirement age from 60 to 65. The groups working on the subject have found different definitions from different group of people. In an over all study of 2929 persons in America, Young up to 30 years feel old age begins at 60 whereas the feeling differs with 60+ who put it even at 70 years. In Briton most among 25 + define old age beginning at 54 when 80+ define 68years , where a survey on 2200 people was conducted. The fact that life expectancy beyond the age of 80 has become wide spread, has shifted the definitions of old age. Eventually, some Gerontologists have defined this period of diversity of old age into sub-groups as young old (60 to 69) , the middle old ( 70 to 79 ) and very old ( 80 +). Again one group, of course in western countries distinguish it to 65-74 , 74-84 and 85 +. Since no body is born or have been planted clicker on their chest or arm that tell us how old they are, we determine that with different prospectives like chronological, biological, psychological are most importantly functional aspects.
The distinguishing marks of old age normally appear considerably in all the five senses at different times and different rates in different persons . Also , they occur at different rates and order for different people even in those with same chronological age . In some advanced countries they call elderly persons as “citizens” of senior and very senior rank as a mark of respect and offer opportunities and honour to make them feel their importance in society. They even offer discounts for senior and very senior citizens for buying some items and for conducting medical tests etc. and issue them ” senior discount cards”.
This subject assumes all the more importance because of UN’s projections that population of 65+ is going to double in next 25 years and the rate of new born is decreasing rapidly. It will cross 16 % of the world’s population in this period and is going to affect global economy as there will be comparatively more unemployed youth seen around in near future that the elders working after retirement age. In 2010 the world had 16 people aged 65 and over for every 100 adults between the ages of 25 and 64, almost the same ratio it had since 1980. By 2035 the UN expects that number will rise to 26. The “old-age dependency ratio”-the ratio of old people to those of working age is expected to grow faster in proceeding years. Almost 20% of Americans aged over 65 are now in the labour force, compared with 13% in 2000. Nearly half of all Germans in their early 60s are employed today, compared with a quarter a decade ago. This clearly points towards the need of increasing the retirement age, to compensate, in Government as well as in public sectors otherwise overall productivity will be affected resulting proportionate decrease in growth rate due to change in pattern of workforce and rate of productivity growth. Definitely elders need more for maintenance resulting less saving and larger portion of older work force means slow growth.
Although the age expectancy in India has not reached to the level of western Advanced countries since health of the citizens there, is a responsibility of the Government and given maintenance allowance to ensure the longevity of life. In our country the health care being too costly and the ratio of below poverty being so high the Government fails to take full responsibility for the health care for all the citizens although it is taking up more health schemes by opening new health care centres etc. And then old age care is another type of problem for which neither government cares much nor they get priority by the people in their family. Need to open some old age health care centres with all the medical facilities, may be on pay and stay basis is required to be taken seriously , so that the aged persons who get deserted for being away from the family and can pay for all such facilities should not suffer for the only reason that don’t want to be away from their home town and their kith and kin. And it is also a known fact that”Old age is not a surprise and there is nothing better than to make most of it”.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel