Aging with dignity in Asia-Pacific

There is a saying that getting older isn’t losing one’s youth; it’s just a new phase of life full of chances and strength. This positive outlook is what the world needs most as we marked the International Day of Older Persons last Oct. 1. We need to reimagine how we can empower older people to ensure they age with dignity and live fulfilling lives.

True, the world is undergoing a profound demographic transformation. By 2050, one in four people in the Asia-Pacific region will be over 60, with women representing the majority. For many older people, the prospect of aging can be daunting.

Concerns about financial security, declining health, and a loss of independence often lead to a fear of becoming marginalized or a burden to others. In the Asia-Pacific region, where 670 million people—one in seven of us—are over 60, we face a pivotal question about how to build care systems that safeguard their well-being.

What is false, however, is the view that aging is a problem. We should embrace aging as an opportunity.

Older people carry a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience that can greatly benefit their families, communities, and economies. The rise in life expectancy across the region speaks to the remarkable progress in health care and poverty reduction. Yet, older persons face ongoing challenges exacerbated by climate change, conflict, and social exclusion.

Take Mei, a 75-year-old woman living in a rural village in Southeast Asia. After a lifetime of hard work as a farmer, her declining health and limited resources have made it difficult for her to sustain her livelihood.

Her children have moved to the city for better opportunities, leaving Mei to navigate her future alone. While she benefits from the government’s health insurance for older people, she remains uncertain about her financial security, access to health care, and social isolation.

Stories like Mei’s are becoming increasingly common as traditional family structures shift and the cost of living rises. Governments in the region are now grappling with the growing demand for policies and programs that support older individuals, especially women, who face compounding vulnerabilities in old age.

To address these challenges, we need a new approach to care systems that goes beyond health care to encompass social support, protection from abuse, and opportunities for older people to stay active and engaged in society. This requires policies that are not only inclusive and responsive, but also rights-based and gender-sensitive.

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, embraces a life-cycle approach to aging. We believe that investing in every stage of life—from childhood to adulthood and old age—is key to fostering resilience and well-being. We need to protect women and girls, including the elderly, from gender-based violence, such as elder abuse, and ensure their access to essential health services throughout their lives.

Governments must invest in forward-looking policies that prioritize the needs of people at all stages of life. These policies must ensure older individuals can age with dignity, while also promoting their active participation in society.

The “silver economy,” which capitalizes on the economic potential of an aging population, has the potential to boost gross domestic product by up to 2.8 percent in some countries in the region.

However, we can only realize this vision by strengthening care systems throughout the region. We need to enhance health-care infrastructure, invest in the training of health-care professionals, and expand access to vital social services. Fostering intergenerational relationships can also promote mutual respect and understanding between older and younger generations, helping to reduce social isolation.

We are dedicated to working with governments, civil society organizations, and other partners to build inclusive, equitable care systems that uphold the rights of older persons. As our world ages, society must also adapt.

We have the opportunity and responsibility to create a future where aging is embraced, and everyone, regardless of their age, can live with dignity and respect. Let’s stay focused on the silver lining—let’s celebrate aging and reinforce it as a force for good in all our societies. The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network

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Pio Smith is UNFPA regional director for Asia and the Pacific.

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The Philippine Daily Inquirer is a member of the Asia News Network, an alliance of 22 media titles in the region.