Overview

The basic needs in old age of a person are essentially the same as for an individual of any age: secure housing, financial security, good health, availability of essential commodities and services , harmonious relationship with family and neighbors, and activities that can be engaged in that provide a sense of self-worth. The quantity of these basic needs is variable and how they will be met differs from culture to culture. In some societies, aged individuals have minimal demands and expectations and these can frequently be met within the joint family. In other societies, older individuals have much higher expectations and demands and these can be met only with the assistance of the broader society. Significant social, demographic and cultural changes, as well as scientific and technical advances, are occurring around the world which will substantially affect the aged of today and will affect the aged of tomorrow even more so.

How an aged individual lives today and will live tomorrow depends very much on the local culture, traditions and policies of their society. Not only are there substantial nation-to-nation differences, there are also significant differences in urban and rural areas within regions and between different groups within any area.

How countries decide to use their resources for assuring health care and material security for the elderly is important. Among developed countries for example, cultural expectations can lead to different actions. Traditionally, Sweden and Japan have had very different social goals regarding the elderly when it comes to living arrangements. In Sweden approximately 7% of the elderly, compared to 65% in Japan, live with their children. Sweden’s social policy emphasizes that an independent life is desirable and that older people should live in their own homes. There are many ways in which the Swedish government supports the elderly living on their own, such as having various types of specialized housing and social services. In Japan, pre-war tradition supports the elderly living within their family-preferably with the eldest son, and Japanese culture and government has generally stressed that older parents are the families responsibility. However, there has been a gradual shift in Japanese opinion. Based on a1987 Japanese national attitude survey, researchers found that only half the people they surveyed believed that parents should live with their adult children. However, in times of need, such as when a parent is widowed or sick 80% of the Japanese surveyed felt that parents should reside with their adult children.

In this section we will examine some of the social and culture aspects of our aging societies.