Ageing society: How prepared are we?

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Ageing society: How prepared are we?
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE POPULATIONS OF THAILAND AND SINGAPORE ARE GETTING OLDER FAST, YET ONLY SINGAPORE IS MAKING PLANS

It's an issue that everyone is at ease talking about but which few people fully think through. "Ageing society" can be an alarming term, more depressing to the mood than "political crisis" or "flood disaster". When a populace grows "too old", problems cascade into virtually every sector - from the smallest unit, the family, to the biggest, the government.

Someone on a TV show mentioned our "ageing society" a few days ago, but the discussion quickly moved on to "more important" matters. One thing about age is that it's never the biggest issue until the crisis reaches a certain point, which it will.

Public transportation, housing, healthcare, labour and employment benefits, business strategies, education and much more will be all severely affected.

Diplomacy becomes a whole new game. Ageing Thai - and Singaporean - diplomats will find themselves negotiating with younger counterparts from elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

The populations of all of our other neighbours are ageing far less rapidly.

How much longer might Thai athletes maintain their level of superiority at the SEA Games? Should smartphones and TV sets come with hearing aids?

Instead of promising computer tablets during election campaigns, political parties might soon be pledging to build "a daycare centre for the elderly in every tambon".

Singapore is aware of the inevitability and over the years has introduced policies that raised eyebrows or drew chuckles overseas, yet nevertheless addressed the issue. Thailand is not too far behind Singapore in the unenviable progress into an ageing society but, compared with the Singaporeans, we are all but complacent. Recent mentioning of the issue in the news is welcomed, but this is an issue that demands more than fleeting attention.

We need to think this problem through seriously. In about 20 years, more than 20 per cent of the Thai population will be elderly - one in five Thais. These people will need care and support from their families as well as the state. There will be those fortunate enough to be able to help themselves, but the majority will depend heavily on society's largesse. Luck notwithstanding, everyone must be prepared for sweeping change.

There will come a time when questions like whether the Senate should be elected or appointed are of substantially less significance than whether a senior-citizen bill warrants approval. The young political activists of tomorrow might not be able to stage overnight rallies because so many will have more pressing demands at home - caring for their parents. Count on the text fonts of newspapers getting bigger, the better for old people to read. Healthy-food restaurants will outnumber fast-food outlets. Food vendors on the street will have to offer less spicy and more easily digested dishes.

The Buddhist sermons on TV, which so few people today watch, might be in for a ratings boost as ageing viewers contemplate death and the afterlife.

How prepared are we? There is the school of thought that ageing is a natural process deserving of no worry. Society will adapt when the time comes, such as accommodating your parents on the ground floor of your home when they're no longer fit enough to climb stairs.

The other line of thinking is that we must begin preparing now, because there will be less fortunate parents and grandparents who don't have children taking care of them.

There will also be families with one or more ageing members whose needs require the expensive renovation of the bathroom, for example, or perhaps even hiring a personal caregiver. How many citizens have thought these matters through? Surely now is the time to begin.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Ageing-society-How-prepared-are-we-30249699.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-13

[tomyummer]

"The populations of all of our other neighbours are ageing far less rapidly."

What?! Time manipulation? Awesome!

[rkidlad]

"THE POPULATIONS OF THAILAND AND SINGAPORE ARE GETTING OLDER FAST, YET ONLY SINGAPORE ARE MAKING PLANS"

Well Maybe Singapore haven't heard of a little something called 'If you ignore a problem long enough, it will go away'.

[Noi657]

I thought the ageing population in Thailand had sorted these problems out..... Go on girl, get down to Pattaya and get yourself a falang!

[chainarong]

The Question is when did you wake up the population was ageing, if you knew it was going to happen in 1964 then you are prepared , if on the other hand you realised in 2009, then, no you are not and never will be prepared, you've missed the bus and that is why you have government departments that monitor international trends and act , it is the governments social responsibility to look after its people. .

[doggie888888]

I thought the ageing population in Thailand had sorted these problems out..... Go on girl, get down to Pattaya and get yourself a falang!

Except the typical farang they get is more likely to add to Thailand's ageing problem! !!

[Jeremy50]

The young take care of old people here. I thought that was the whole point of Thainess - and why people pump out babies so fast.

[kalbo123]

I love Thai people, but planning is not their strongest point, or let's say the don't plan anything, so this comes not as a surprise to me.

[willyumiii]

Most people strive, or at least talk about wanting to live longer and how to do it.

Eating better, exercise, not smoking or drinking.

But few think about the consequences of a longer life.

Discussing this with a doctor years ago he said,

"Yes all those things can help you live longer. How many extra years of wearing diapers and being a burden to your family do you want?"

How long do you really want to live?

Maybe we are better off living the life we enjoy while we are still really living??

[harryfrompattaya]

I thought the ageing population in Thailand had sorted these problems out..... Go on girl, get down to Pattaya and get yourself a falang!

You are right the Falangs will have to take care of more of the family. That is the the Thai way get Falang to support the Family

[jaltsc]

"The Buddhist sermons on TV, which so few people today watch, might be in for a ratings boost as ageing viewers contemplate death and the afterlife."

How about taking care of this life and let the afterlife take care of itself.

Edited December 13, 2014 by jaltsc

[Rumble]

We must never forget the aging population the 65+ they are the people that built Thailand with their hands. we must never forget the 50- many of them abused and destroyed whatever principals were built by the older generation

[maidee]

maybe thai people can add a 13th value in their traditional learning

i will prepare for my retirement

for thanks to monsanto, if GMO can take over crop here, the worry of getting to retirement age will soon not be a problem as many will die of cancer eating that chemical spread GMO crops

[dontejo]

Most people strive, or at least talk about wanting to live longer and how to do it.

Eating better, exercise, not smoking or drinking.

But few think about the consequences of a longer life.

Discussing this with a doctor years ago he said,

"Yes all those things can help you live longer. How many extra years of wearing diapers and being a burden to your family do you want?"

How long do you really want to live?

Maybe we are better off living the life we enjoy while we are still really living??

Hope I die before I get old. "The Who"

[car720]

The Question is when did you wake up the population was ageing, if you knew it was going to happen in 1964 then you are prepared , if on the other hand you realised in 2009, then, no you are not and never will be prepared, you've missed the bus and that is why you have government departments that monitor international trends and act , it is the governments social responsibility to look after its people. .

It may be governments responsibility to take care of its people but name me one that does.

[car720]

Most people strive, or at least talk about wanting to live longer and how to do it.

Eating better, exercise, not smoking or drinking.

But few think about the consequences of a longer life.

Discussing this with a doctor years ago he said,

"Yes all those things can help you live longer. How many extra years of wearing diapers and being a burden to your family do you want?"

How long do you really want to live?

Maybe we are better off living the life we enjoy while we are still really living??

Hope I die before I get old. "The Who"

Not in my generation.

[willyumiii]

Most people strive, or at least talk about wanting to live longer and how to do it.

Eating better, exercise, not smoking or drinking.

But few think about the consequences of a longer life.

Discussing this with a doctor years ago he said,

"Yes all those things can help you live longer. How many extra years of wearing diapers and being a burden to your family do you want?"

How long do you really want to live?

Maybe we are better off living the life we enjoy while we are still really living??

Hope I die before I get old. "The Who"

Not in my generation.

why don't you all just fade away?

[tingtong]

happy that Thailand at least address and do something about part of the problem...

"Count on the text fonts of newspapers getting bigger, the better for old people to read."

by not teaching the kids and adults to love reading, the issue is solved, wont ever again need to worry about larger fonts in the newspapers!

"Healthy-food restaurants will outnumber fast-food outlets"

not sure the mama noodle soup qualify to be healthier.

however since most elderly receive approximately ZERO pension, I don't think there worry will be what restaurant to pick, rather, if they can have something to eat at all!

"The Buddhist sermons on TV, which so few people today watch, might be in for a ratings boost as ageing viewers contemplate death and the afterlife."

for those who less busy, readily provided the junta's self boosting programs as alternative TV entertainment solution.

"The young political activists of tomorrow might not be able to stage overnight rallies because so many will have more pressing demands at home - caring for their parents."

Prevention done = martial law. No more headache about who to supervise the elderly at home while the young adults want to fight for democracy.

"There will also be families with one or more ageing members whose needs require the expensive renovation of the bathroom"

aka a larger scoop in the water bucket so the elderly can find/see it?

Yes, Thailand need to prepare, but need to do it realistically. Comparing Thailand to Singapore is like a Toyota Yaris to a Ferrari...same same, but different!

[ggt]

How prepared? Have a cabinet full of wine, food, and Viagra...my big screen TV...Computer Game console...massage parlors everywhere...and the internet to communicate with my ThaiVisa friends and enemies...what more could I possible need?

[nong38]

Its a problem everywhere in the world, it could be the biggest problem the world faces and no one seems to want to tackle it. Here it is assumed the family will take care of the family but it seems that more and more of the family cant be bothered by the old tradional culture that the PM bangs on about, out of sight out of mind, take out a policy quick we make something here seems more like it.

There is no planning here because its not the gonerment's problem its the family's and in most cases they dont want to know. As we all know and has been said countless times, no body plans anything here apart from a bank job or murder.

20 years ago the majority were farmers and the families did take care but as Thailand waved good bye to the third world a strange thing happened and I'm alright Jack.

[slapout]

I would image a majority of us old folks have prepared/planned for what years are remaining . The problem is these young whipper snappers want to tell us what we should have, want, need, and do in this nondetermined time frame. They do not know personally what the concerns of those old folks are, but insist on telling them what is best for them when it should be the other way around.

[selftaopath]

What difference does this make? Ageism is thriving in Thailand.

[selftaopath]

What difference does this make? Ageism is thriving in Thailand.