AGEING: In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person'
Unlike what one thinks, ageing does not only refer to one's age by the calendar year. It is a complex issue which can be measured by various means.
“The ageing of individuals may be measured in many ways including chronological age, degree of physical or mental functioning or performance of given social roles.
Perceptions of being elderly are also related as much to social as to chronological age. Thus, one person living in very unfavourable conditions could be considered ‘old’ at 50 years whereas another living in more favourable conditions could still be ‘young’ and active at 70 years.
Poverty with its associated burden work and sickness, for example could lead to an exhausted person being considered as old,” says Jumoondar Sunkur, Principal Demographer, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, in the national report on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Meeting on Ageing in Africa (MIPAA),
In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person's role in society and in the family.
Natural process
How do we get to an ageing population? Ageing is a natural process for any population. A population undergoes a change in age-structure resulting from shift in such demographic variables as fertility, mortality and migration. To put it simply, such a situation arises when the level of fertility is high and the level of mortality is low, and this in turn leads to a fast growing proportion of elderly people. Moreover, the higher standard of living is increasing life expectancy such that males are now living up to an average of 69.76 and females to 76.51 years.
Mauritius had a population of 1,260,403 in 2007, with the number of people aged 60 and above amounting to 126,080. However, it has been estimated that by 2047, the number will rise to 362,700, since life expectancy will be 74.23 for males and 79.33 for females.
The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, Senior Citizens’ Welfare & Reform Institutions paper, entitled 'Ageing in Place' (2008), indicates the number of elderly persons which at present represents 10 % of the population, will go up to 25% in 2047.The pensioner support ratio which in 2007 stood at 6.7 will go down to 2.3 in 2047 while the ageing index will increase from 42.9 in 2007 to 145.3 in 2047.
Despite sharing many things in common with the younger citizen of the society, the ageing require extra care when it comes to issues like health, welfare, security and accommodation. The governmentof Mauritius, conscious of the problems of the ageing, has already taken certain security measures and priority is being given to schemes that are suitable in the Mauritian context.
Mauritius being a welfare state, the main areas of government expenditure are the social services which amount to about 50% of the budget’s recurrent expenditure. The total cost of social security alone absorbs about 15% of government recurrent expenditure (MIPAA).
Facilities offered
In our welfare state, the government spends about 50 % of its budget on social services including free health and education. In addition, to ensure the best care to most of the senior citizens, networks have been created between the government, NGOs and various stakeholders. Furthermore, as further mentioned in the MIPAA report, the National Economic Development Council (NEDC) has been helping senior citizens with the growing problems they face.
The NEDC is sensitising the younger generation and encouraging them to keep their old relatives within their family. They are also facilitating old people to stay as long as possible in their own homes. For the less fortunate, the number of residential homes has been increased.
The Government has advocated a policy favouring the keeping of the elderly within the family that is in line with the strong familial norms which prevail among Mauritians of all origins. However, the number of those who have been convinced by this policy is yet to be determined. The mushrooming of the old age homes and care centres around the country fail to provide a positive indication of good fortune for these people who gave their entire life to generation who has yet the time for them.
Pension scheme
Many people who recently turned 60 are still wondering whether they will in fact get their pension now or they'll have to wait a few more months---or rather a few more years—to get it. Earlier, “any Mauritian who attained the age of 60, whether he was working or otherwise, rich or poor, got a non-contributive pension worth 100 dollars a month until he/she dies” (Panapress). This will still apply to those who will be turning 60 before 2013. However, by 2013, with the new scheme of retirement at 65, one would be allowed to draw the full pension only at the age of 65. The possibility to opt for early retirement, but with a reduced pension, is also there.
People who turn 60 know little about the benefits that the state provides. They are simply aware that they will get a pension and free transport. How many of them know that they are eligible for rebates on air fares, exempt from airport tax, benefit from reduced fees for the issue and renewal of their passport, get domiciliary visit if they are aged 90 and, over and above these, they are given blankets, cardigans, spectacles, hearing aids and wheelchairs (if needed) ?
© 2007-2008 Le Défi Media Group
Showing posts with label Mauritius. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mauritius. Show all posts
February 6, 2009
MAURITIUS: Growing ageing population
.
PORT LOUIS, Mauritius / Le Defi / Society / February 6, 2009
By Kusum Fulena
AGEING: In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person'
Unlike what one thinks, ageing does not only refer to one's age by the calendar year. It is a complex issue which can be measured by various means.
“The ageing of individuals may be measured in many ways including chronological age, degree of physical or mental functioning or performance of given social roles.
Perceptions of being elderly are also related as much to social as to chronological age. Thus, one person living in very unfavourable conditions could be considered ‘old’ at 50 years whereas another living in more favourable conditions could still be ‘young’ and active at 70 years.
Poverty with its associated burden work and sickness, for example could lead to an exhausted person being considered as old,” says Jumoondar Sunkur, Principal Demographer, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, in the national report on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Meeting on Ageing in Africa (MIPAA),
In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person's role in society and in the family.
Natural process
How do we get to an ageing population? Ageing is a natural process for any population. A population undergoes a change in age-structure resulting from shift in such demographic variables as fertility, mortality and migration. To put it simply, such a situation arises when the level of fertility is high and the level of mortality is low, and this in turn leads to a fast growing proportion of elderly people. Moreover, the higher standard of living is increasing life expectancy such that males are now living up to an average of 69.76 and females to 76.51 years.
Mauritius had a population of 1,260,403 in 2007, with the number of people aged 60 and above amounting to 126,080. However, it has been estimated that by 2047, the number will rise to 362,700, since life expectancy will be 74.23 for males and 79.33 for females.
The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, Senior Citizens’ Welfare & Reform Institutions paper, entitled 'Ageing in Place' (2008), indicates the number of elderly persons which at present represents 10 % of the population, will go up to 25% in 2047.The pensioner support ratio which in 2007 stood at 6.7 will go down to 2.3 in 2047 while the ageing index will increase from 42.9 in 2007 to 145.3 in 2047.
Despite sharing many things in common with the younger citizen of the society, the ageing require extra care when it comes to issues like health, welfare, security and accommodation. The governmentof Mauritius, conscious of the problems of the ageing, has already taken certain security measures and priority is being given to schemes that are suitable in the Mauritian context.
Mauritius being a welfare state, the main areas of government expenditure are the social services which amount to about 50% of the budget’s recurrent expenditure. The total cost of social security alone absorbs about 15% of government recurrent expenditure (MIPAA).
Facilities offered
In our welfare state, the government spends about 50 % of its budget on social services including free health and education. In addition, to ensure the best care to most of the senior citizens, networks have been created between the government, NGOs and various stakeholders. Furthermore, as further mentioned in the MIPAA report, the National Economic Development Council (NEDC) has been helping senior citizens with the growing problems they face.
The NEDC is sensitising the younger generation and encouraging them to keep their old relatives within their family. They are also facilitating old people to stay as long as possible in their own homes. For the less fortunate, the number of residential homes has been increased.
The Government has advocated a policy favouring the keeping of the elderly within the family that is in line with the strong familial norms which prevail among Mauritians of all origins. However, the number of those who have been convinced by this policy is yet to be determined. The mushrooming of the old age homes and care centres around the country fail to provide a positive indication of good fortune for these people who gave their entire life to generation who has yet the time for them.
Pension scheme
Many people who recently turned 60 are still wondering whether they will in fact get their pension now or they'll have to wait a few more months---or rather a few more years—to get it. Earlier, “any Mauritian who attained the age of 60, whether he was working or otherwise, rich or poor, got a non-contributive pension worth 100 dollars a month until he/she dies” (Panapress). This will still apply to those who will be turning 60 before 2013. However, by 2013, with the new scheme of retirement at 65, one would be allowed to draw the full pension only at the age of 65. The possibility to opt for early retirement, but with a reduced pension, is also there.
People who turn 60 know little about the benefits that the state provides. They are simply aware that they will get a pension and free transport. How many of them know that they are eligible for rebates on air fares, exempt from airport tax, benefit from reduced fees for the issue and renewal of their passport, get domiciliary visit if they are aged 90 and, over and above these, they are given blankets, cardigans, spectacles, hearing aids and wheelchairs (if needed) ?
© 2007-2008 Le Défi Media Group
AGEING: In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person'
Unlike what one thinks, ageing does not only refer to one's age by the calendar year. It is a complex issue which can be measured by various means.
“The ageing of individuals may be measured in many ways including chronological age, degree of physical or mental functioning or performance of given social roles.
Perceptions of being elderly are also related as much to social as to chronological age. Thus, one person living in very unfavourable conditions could be considered ‘old’ at 50 years whereas another living in more favourable conditions could still be ‘young’ and active at 70 years.
Poverty with its associated burden work and sickness, for example could lead to an exhausted person being considered as old,” says Jumoondar Sunkur, Principal Demographer, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, in the national report on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Meeting on Ageing in Africa (MIPAA),
In the same way, biological or physical ageing would refer to the greying of hair or the appearance of wrinkles. On the other hand, according to Sunkur, psychological ageing implies emotional or mental change and social ageing depends on a person's role in society and in the family.
Natural process
How do we get to an ageing population? Ageing is a natural process for any population. A population undergoes a change in age-structure resulting from shift in such demographic variables as fertility, mortality and migration. To put it simply, such a situation arises when the level of fertility is high and the level of mortality is low, and this in turn leads to a fast growing proportion of elderly people. Moreover, the higher standard of living is increasing life expectancy such that males are now living up to an average of 69.76 and females to 76.51 years.
Mauritius had a population of 1,260,403 in 2007, with the number of people aged 60 and above amounting to 126,080. However, it has been estimated that by 2047, the number will rise to 362,700, since life expectancy will be 74.23 for males and 79.33 for females.
The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, Senior Citizens’ Welfare & Reform Institutions paper, entitled 'Ageing in Place' (2008), indicates the number of elderly persons which at present represents 10 % of the population, will go up to 25% in 2047.The pensioner support ratio which in 2007 stood at 6.7 will go down to 2.3 in 2047 while the ageing index will increase from 42.9 in 2007 to 145.3 in 2047.
Despite sharing many things in common with the younger citizen of the society, the ageing require extra care when it comes to issues like health, welfare, security and accommodation. The governmentof Mauritius, conscious of the problems of the ageing, has already taken certain security measures and priority is being given to schemes that are suitable in the Mauritian context.
Mauritius being a welfare state, the main areas of government expenditure are the social services which amount to about 50% of the budget’s recurrent expenditure. The total cost of social security alone absorbs about 15% of government recurrent expenditure (MIPAA).
Facilities offered
In our welfare state, the government spends about 50 % of its budget on social services including free health and education. In addition, to ensure the best care to most of the senior citizens, networks have been created between the government, NGOs and various stakeholders. Furthermore, as further mentioned in the MIPAA report, the National Economic Development Council (NEDC) has been helping senior citizens with the growing problems they face.
The NEDC is sensitising the younger generation and encouraging them to keep their old relatives within their family. They are also facilitating old people to stay as long as possible in their own homes. For the less fortunate, the number of residential homes has been increased.
The Government has advocated a policy favouring the keeping of the elderly within the family that is in line with the strong familial norms which prevail among Mauritians of all origins. However, the number of those who have been convinced by this policy is yet to be determined. The mushrooming of the old age homes and care centres around the country fail to provide a positive indication of good fortune for these people who gave their entire life to generation who has yet the time for them.
Pension scheme
Many people who recently turned 60 are still wondering whether they will in fact get their pension now or they'll have to wait a few more months---or rather a few more years—to get it. Earlier, “any Mauritian who attained the age of 60, whether he was working or otherwise, rich or poor, got a non-contributive pension worth 100 dollars a month until he/she dies” (Panapress). This will still apply to those who will be turning 60 before 2013. However, by 2013, with the new scheme of retirement at 65, one would be allowed to draw the full pension only at the age of 65. The possibility to opt for early retirement, but with a reduced pension, is also there.
People who turn 60 know little about the benefits that the state provides. They are simply aware that they will get a pension and free transport. How many of them know that they are eligible for rebates on air fares, exempt from airport tax, benefit from reduced fees for the issue and renewal of their passport, get domiciliary visit if they are aged 90 and, over and above these, they are given blankets, cardigans, spectacles, hearing aids and wheelchairs (if needed) ?
© 2007-2008 Le Défi Media Group
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)