The Cyprus Model

In Cyprus, the tiny island nation in the Mediterranean sea, policy makers and the general public came together to develop a unique model for their graying population. Although families are extremely close-knit and support their older parents, they do realize that in future generations the patterns of care for the elderly will change. Programs which involve the community and the local government have been launched. There being very little mobility in Cyprus, people realize that most of them will live their life in the community where they are born. Thus, the entire community is building old age homes for residents of their community. Since younger people realize that one day they will be living in these same homes, they ensure that they are well-maintained and well-run. Everyone contributes to building these homes and also caring for the elderly and visiting them regularly so that the older people do not feel isolated. The older people, having lived in this community all their lives, do not feel removed from their roots and can walk around in familiar surroundings. Think about the Cyprus model as you consider some of the typical questions that policy makers ask include:

Who will provide economic support for elderly persons?
Who will provide social support to the increasing number of older persons?
Who is responsible for health care costs for the elderly?
In countries where support comes largely from public and/or private pension systems there is concern that the number of elderly will "bankrupt" the system.
Should retirement ages be changed so that individuals need to be older before they can retire?
Should more money be spent on basic research and technology in the hopes of finding cures for the causes of late life diseases and disability?
Should countries adjust rules and regulations regarding work to make it easier for family members to provide "eldercare" to their aging relative?
What are the best way to provide services to the elderly?
Should governments favor keeping the elderly in the community or in institutional settings? What are the kinds of questions that average people ask when it comes to thinking about the elderly? What questions do you have about the aging population and your society? Can you write these questions in terms of your grandparents, your parents or yourself rather than "the elderly"

Sometimes policy makers write about the elderly as a "burden" or a"problem" or wonder if the aging population will lead to a "crisis." Other policy makers see the aging population as an opportunity.

Can you list ways in which the increasing proportion of elderly can be a burden? Can be an opportunity? What data do you need to support your views?
What business and jobs might enjoy growth as a result of an aging population?
What kinds of things can you do to improve aging for yourself and your family? Don’t limit yourself just to "personal behaviors". Think about how the quality of air, water , soil etc. effect the types of chronic illnesses that we see in older people.

Here are two additional items: Approximately 65-75 % of elderly, in most countries, do not need special attention. How do you calculate things like wisdom, experience and tradition?