Chapter 15A (Ageing Population)

Question 1

Population Trend
-LOCAL+WORLD-

Answer 1

Local:
- median age of the population rising
- Expectation of life at birth increasing
- Birth rate declining

World:
- median age of world population rising
- more prominent in the developed countries than developing countries

Question 2

Related problems to Ageing Population

Answer 2

• Increase in elderly dependency ratio
  (E.g. smaller number of working people=burden to support)
• Impact and implications on the health / social care system
  (E.g. increase in choronic diseases)
• Increase in health care expenditure
• Increase in social security payments

Question 3

Government Strategies for Ageing Population

Answer 3

• Increasing the working population
• Increasing the fertility rate
• Promote the health of elderly to release burden on healthcare system

Question 4

Healthy Ageing
-RISK FACTOR+PROTECTIVE FACTOR-

Answer 4

PHYSICAL:
Risk Factor
- Decline in physiological functions
Protective Factor
- Physical activity
- Healthy diets

MENTAL:
Risk Factor
- Small declines in intelligence, learning and memory
Protective Factor
- Remains emotional healthy and intellectually active

SOCIAL:
Risk Factor
- Social networks gradually shrink due to:
- Loss of daily interactions
- Children grow up and lead an independent life
- Friends, relatives and acquaintances pass away
Protective Factor
- Enjoy more leisure time with friends and family members
- Develop new hobbies and skills to live fuller life in the late adulthood
- Assist families by taking care of the young children

Question 5

Retirement:Needs and Preparation
-HEALTH+SOCIAL+ECONOMIC-

Answer 5

Needs:
Health
- Deterioration in physical health
- A higher risk for chronic diseases
(E.g. diabetes / heart disease)
- Deterioration in physical functioning
Social
- Loss of workplace relationship
- More time for social activities and gathering
Economic
- Lost of monthly income
- Long term medical expense

Preparation:
Health
- To do more exercise
- To develop healthy eating habits
(E.g. avoid eating fatty food which leads to high cholesterol level)
- To employ a carer
Social
- To join more social activities held by NGOs so as to develop new social networks
- To maintain the existing social networks, e.g. colleagues/ neighbours
Economic
- To plan how to invest after getting the money after retirement
- To buy medical insurance

Question 6

4 Types Age discrimination
-TYPES+CONSEQUENCES-

Answer 6

1. Senility / frailty
   - Elderly with a treatable depression may be overlooked for treatment
2. Reduced capacity to learn / an economic burden
   - Discriminatory behaviours against elderly
   - Less likely engage actively in health education and promotion activities
3. Elderly are rich
   - People do not see the need to help the elderly
4. Assumed physical and mental deterioration
   - Discriminatory practices and policies in workplace

Question 7

What is Active Ageing

Answer 7

The process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age

Question 8

3 Policy Objectives

Answer 8

A sense of security
- to meet the basic needs of the elderly
(E.g. Provide financial support - • Mandatory provident Fund (MPF)/ CSSA Scheme • Old Age Living Allowance (mean-tested) / Old Age Allowance (OAA))

A sense of belonging
- to assist the elderly to stay in their homes / community in which they have a sense of belonging

A feeling of health and worthiness
- to unleash the potentials of the elderly and cultivate a sense of sef-worthiness
(E.g. Promote continuous learning, maintain physical etc well being, widen thier social network)

Question 9

The Five Pillars of Old Age Protection

Answer 9

The Zero Pillar:
- a non-contributory, publicly-managed and financed pension or social security scheme
(E.g Old Age Allowance/ Disability Allowance/ Guangdong scheme/ CSSAS)

The First Pillar:
- a publicly-managed, mandatory contribution system
(E.g. Public pension plan etc.)

The Second Pillar:
- a privately-managed, mandatory contribution system
(E.g. Mandatory contributions to MPF/ Provident Funds/ Occupational retirement scheme)

The Third Pillar:
- voluntary personal savings
(E.g. Retirement savings related insurance/ Voluntary contributions to MPF)

The Fourth Pillar:
- public servcies, informal support and personal assets
(E.g. Public transport fare concession/ Elderly health care vouchers/ Public healthcare and housing)

Question 10

“Three Pillar Approach” Financial Support for Elderly

Answer 10

First Pillar
- A privately managed mandatory provident fund

Second Pillar
- Private savings, investments and annuities

Third Pillar
- A social safety net to provide financial protection to the needy elderly to meet their basic needs