Blog

As the number older adults continues to rise, so do the challenges associated with ageing. Preparation of an ageing society to cope this demographic shift starts with acknowledging this fact. With advancing age, older adults are at risk of developing chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancers, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia and stroke. In addition, problems like falls, frailty, hearing and vision impairment, mental health disorder and social isolation further compromise their quality of life. Beyond health, ageing also presents the economic challenges. Insufficient pensions, financial dependency, income insecurity and difficulties in finding post retirement employment, often make older adults economically vulnerable. Equally concerning are social challenges. Loneliness, neglect, discrimination and elder abuse continue to affect many senior citizens, this often remain unnoticed within families and communities. Many of us may not have experienced these challenges personally, but almost everyone has witnessed them in someone around us.