Global trends, policies, and gerontechnology

Abstract

Purpose: There are now more than 800 million people over 60 years in age, and the global number is increasing. Since 2002, the Madrid International Plan of Action has recommended that all nations build plans for the future to address the increase in the number of elderly people. In 2012, global ageing was comprehensively described in the UNFPS report Ageing in the Twenty-First Century, A Celebration and A Challenge. Global Age Watch Index ranked countries in 2013 according to the social and economic well-being of older people using four indicators: economy, health, education and working life, and age-friendly environment, all based on international statistics and research. The demand for a Convention of the Rights of Older People is growing among international NGO's and in discussions within the United Nations. There is a global megatrend showing that people are increasingly living alone, and older people emerge as a growing market for consumption. The aims of this paper are to show the influence of global trends and policies on the development of gerontechnology. Method: Trends, political processes, and research are cited here and reviewed to show the need for gerontechnological solutions. Results & Discussion: In a world of uncertainties, the process of global ageing has been the only certain issue to forecast, but countries, regions, and political decision makers have not taken this issue seriously in their planning. The health of older people as well as their education can be improved with gerontechnology. Age-friendly environments should be built, but indicators for good gerontechnological solutions are lacking. In 2010 there were 23 aged economies in which consumption by older people surpassed that by youth, but in 2040 there will be nearly 100. This will change local economies. In Nordic countries more than half of the elderly are living alone, and in Taiwan older people likewise prefer to live alone. These trends create challenges to all services, and these challenges must be met. The relationship between older people and information technology will grow in importance. Globally nearly two out of three older people can use a mobile phone, but do not own one. The role of gerontechnology in everyday life should be increased in the modern world, because the input and resources of older people are increasing.