Basis for action

6.16. The decline in fertility levels, reinforced by continued declines in mortality levels, is producing fundamental changes in the age structure of the population of most societies, most notablyrecord increases in the proportion and number of elderly persons, including a growing number of very elderly persons. In the moredeveloped regions, approximately one person in every six is atleast 60 years old, and this proportion will be close to one person in every four by the year 2025. The situation of developing countries that have experienced very rapid declines in their levels of fertility deserves particular attention. In most societies, women, because they live longer than men, constitute the majority of the elderly population and, in many countries, elderly poor women are especially vulnerable. The steady increase of older age groups in national populations, both in absolute numbers and inrelation to the working-age population, has significant implications for a majority of countries, particularly with regard to the future viability of existing formal and informal modalities for assistance to elderly people. The economic and social impactof this "ageing of populations" is both an opportunity and a challenge to all societies. Many countries are currently re-examining their policies in the light of the principle that elderly people constitute a valuable and important component of a society's human resources. They are also seeking to identify how best to assist elderly people with long-term support needs.

Objectives

6.17. The objectives are:

1. To enhance, through appropriate mechanisms, theself-reliance of elderly people, and to create conditions that promote quality of life and enable them to work and live independently in their own communities as long as possible or as desired;
2. To develop systems of health care as well as systems of economic and social security in old age, where appropriate, payingspecial attention to the needs of women;
3. To develop a social support system, both formal and informal, with a view to enhancing the ability of families to take care of elderly people within the family.

Actions

6.18. All levels of government in medium- and long-term socio-economic planning should take into account the increasing numbers and proportions of elderly people in the population. Governments should develop social security systems that ensuregreater intergenerational and intragenerational equity and solidarity and that provide support to elderly people through the encouragement of multigenerational families, and the provision oflong-term support and services for growing numbers of frail olderpeople.

6.19. Governments should seek to enhance the self-reliance ofelderly people to facilitate their continued participation insociety. In consultation with elderly people, Governments should ensure that the necessary conditions are developed to enable elderly people to lead self-determined, healthy and productivelives and to make full use of the skills and abilities they haveacquired in their lives for the benefit of society. The valuable contribution that elderly people make to families and society, especially as volunteers and caregivers, should be given duerecognition and encouragement.

6.20. Governments, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and the private sector, should strengthen formal and informal support systems and safety nets for elderly people and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against elderly people in all countries, paying special attention to the needs of elderly women.

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