Causes and consequences of increased aging trend in modern society

Abstract

This paper analyzes the causes and consequences of the increased
trend of population aging in contemporary society expressed in several
previous decades. This refers to increasing the share of the population
aged between 60 and 65 years and over (chronological criteria
are defined in the modern age in relation to age in which the working
activity stops, they can not be applied to African countries), that
is the share of the elderly population of 7 (and more) percent of the
total population. As a result, we have the increased number of demographically
old societies. Aging is a biological process, but also a social
construct, because at different times and in different societies are differently
set boundaries of age, attitude towards aging, status of elderly
people and the like. The most important demographic characteristics
that cause aging of the population in modern society are: lower fertility,
lower mortality (especially the older groups) and migrations.
Accelerated aging of the population undermines the economic and social
balance in the society in which it is expressed (increased pressure
on funds of social, health and pension protection) it requires the increased
investment effort to deal with this problem and its resolution,
but there are consequences for individuals (loss of autonomy , loneliness,
illness, etc.). In recent years, the attitude towards old people and
the experience of aging have changed due to an improvement of the
overall quality of life (working and living conditions, progress in the
field of medicine), which gives an opportunity to the people of this age
to lead a full life of different activities (travel, education , acquisition
of new skills and the like.). Although progress was made in terms of
human rights, quality of life and the situation of old people in society,
there are still various problems that they face (social exclusion, poverty,
violence, etc.). In contemporary society have beeb undertaken
various activities which aim to promote a positive attitude towards
the old (er) people and to prevent discrimination based on age.