Held February 10, 2005, at Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
Introduction
The aim of this symposium was to discuss the impact of demographic change on the health and well-being of older people and their families in resource poor settings. The proportion of older people is rapidly increasing in many countries in our region, yet their health and well-being remain a relatively neglected area. The proportion of the world’s population over 60 years of age increased from 8% in 1960 to 10% in 2000 – and is expected to be 22% in 2025. By 2025, 57 % of the world’s population aged 80 years or older will be living in the less developed regions. China, India and Indonesia are home to some of the largest ageing populations in the world. Population ageing is happening much more quickly in developing countries than it did in developed countries.
Older people make significant economic and social contributions to their families and communities. We increasingly see the valuable contribution that older people make to the care of children in communities seriously affected by HIV. Yet older people often become dependent through preventable illness or disability. In poor communities older people are among the most poor and vulnerable. There is a need for reorientation of primary health care and welfare services towards the needs of older people, and the family members that care for them. Ageing is an important gender issue – women have longer life expectancies than men, and women tend to be the ones that care for dependent older family members. We need to think about how the needs and potential of older people can be addressed as a cross-cutting issue in our development work.
Please find presentations delivered at this symposium below:
Overview of Issues (2 MB)
Demographic change and the implications of the changing age structure of populations. Presented by Dr Wendy Holmes, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute- Planning for the needs of older persons in displaced populations (689 KB)
The importance of planning for the needs of older persons among displaced populations. Assoc. Prof. Mike Toole Centre for International Health Burnet Institute - The impact of HIV on older people (252 KB)
Addressing the impact of HIV on older people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lisa Natoli Centre for International Health Burnet Institute - Health Promotion (223 KB)
The continued relevance of health promotion among ageing populations. Professor Rob Moodie, Chief Executive Officer Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Melbourne - Back Problems (335 KB)
Significance and prevention of back problems. Damien Hoy Burnet Institute, Centre for International Health - Promoting Health & Well-being of older people (3 MB)
Promoting health and well-being of older people in the plantation sector in Sri Lanka. Dr Raj Perera Burnet Institute, Centre for International Health - Resilience study findings (1 MB)
Resilience study findings, impact of chronic disease and disability on older people and their families in Asia. Professor Lenore Manderson, Australian Research Council's Federation Fellow & Professor of Women's Health, Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, University of Melbourne - Resources list (19 KB)
A list of useful resources