Scotland’s population time bomb
Experts predict huge rise in number of pensioners over
next 20 years
The number of elderly people in Scotland is set to go up by more
than half a million by the year 2035.
Having hundreds of thousands of extra older people will stretch
housing, care and health services to their limit, campaigners say.
They warn that the government needs to start thinking now about how
to pay for the extra costs in the future.
There are 879,500 people aged over-65 living in Scotland today.
Analysts say that this number will rise to 1.4 million by 2035.
At the moment, pensioners make up 16% of our population. Over
the next 23 years this is expected to rise to 25%.
The rise is due to better health care and an increase in the
birth rate after the Second World War - a period known as the baby
boom years.
Because pensioners don't work, they don't contribute as much tax
money towards public funds. At the same time, many of them rely on
public funds to pay for housing, medical treatment and personal
care. The overall result is a big squeeze on public money.
A spokesman for the Scottish government said:
"We recognise an ageing population presents challenges to our
health and social care system, which is why we are ensuring older
people receive the care, compassion, support and dignity they need
and deserve."
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Scotland’s population time bomb
Lessons to be learned from Greece's respect for
elderly
As analysts predict that Scotland's population of over-65s is
set to boom over the next 20 years, now is a good time to look at
how other countries are looking after their elderly people.
Greece is, perhaps surprisingly, a great place to start.
The country's economy is in crisis, needing 130 billion euros in
bailout money from the rest of the Eurozone. Businesses are
closing, thousands have lost their jobs, the minimum wage has been
slashed and many people are destitute. And yet, in some ways it
might still be a better place to live in than Britain.
In Greece the elderly are once more becoming the heart of the
home.
As Greek families lose their jobs and their houses, many are
returning home to their parents. It makes sound economic sense.
Elderly parents have spare bedrooms. They also have pensions which
are now stretching to support two or even three generations in some
cases.
Some of the unemployed middle-aged have even retrieved their
mothers or fathers from residential or nursing care. The saving on
nursing home fees provides an income for the extended family.
How different is it here? In comparatively rich Britain, we talk
of the "burden" of ageing populations. We worry that pensioners are
outliving their affordability. Their numbers are growing and their
pensions must be maintained by a relatively small number of
economically active young people.
Far from becoming the centre of family life, the elderly here
are made to feel uncomfortable in their own homes. Instead of being
surrounded by family, they're told to seek company by going out to
work.
The older people get the more they want family contact. Yet
thousands sit at home in isolation with just the clock and daytime
television for company. The problem of isolation among our elderly
people has become so widespread that five charities have come
together to launch the Campaign to End Loneliness.
In the UK more than half of people over the age of 75 live alone
and between a half and three quarters of them say they are lonely
all or most of the time. One fifth see their family, neighbours or
friends less than once a week. For one in 10, more than a month can
pass without social contact.
The effect isn't just emotional. The body suffers too.
Loneliness is a greater health hazard than smoking. Lack of social
interaction is now linked to damage to the immune and
cardio-vascular systems as well as to Alzheimer's.
You can see why our pensioners might envy their Greek
counterparts. Here they often feel a burden to their family. If
they are living with their children it's probably in a grace and
favour granny flat or spare back bedroom.
In Greece, meanwhile, they have become the provider once again,
thanks to their secure pension.
We know that economies go in cycles. It may take years but boom
often follows bust so Greece will rise again. When it does, let's
hope the elderly retain their new, respected role as worthwhile,
useful, integral members of the family.
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