Jamaicans need to adopt a new approach to caring for the elderly. That's the view of Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies (UWI). 

"If you want to impact on the health of old people you have to educate young people because the elderly are products of everything they (young people) did," she notes. "Once you get to 60 years and over, your likelihood of living 20-25 years more in retirement increases." With their prolonged life and overall good health, seniors require activities to stimulate them, says Professor Eldemire-Shearer. 

FASTEST-GROWING SEGMENT 

The 60 and over age group represents more than 10 per cent of the population, roughly 275,000, with the 80 and over group being the fastest-growing segment. Professor Eldemire-Shearer is suggesting that in light of this growth, more products and services should be created to engage them. 

Data from the United Nations Population Division says, globally, the population of seniors is growing by two per cent annually, which is considerably faster than the population as a whole. 

For at least the next 25 years, the older population is expected to continue growing more rapidly than other age groups. 

The growth rate of those 60 or older will reach 2.8 per cent annually in 2025-2030. Such rapid growth will require far-reaching economic and social adjustments in most countries. 

Almost one fifth of the population was aged 60 or older in the year 2000; by 2050, this proportion is expected to reach one third. In the less-developed regions, only eight per cent of the population is currently over the age of 60; however, by 2050 older persons will make up nearly 20 per cent of the population. 

HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENTS 

According to Professor Eldemire-Shearer, chairperson of the National Council for Senior Citizens, 50 years of continued improvement to primary health care accounts for Jamaica's elderly population expansion, which should not remain untapped by the business sector. 

"Here again I challenge business people to create services for them such as nightclubs and other avenues for recreation," she states. "There should be greater opportunities for older persons to continue to be active and to contribute to development." 

Representing 24 per cent of the electorate, she contends that the elderly should be considered a valuable niche market.