Old Age China and the UK 1

Beautiful Old Age - D. H. Lawrence It ought to be lovely to be old to be full of the peace that comes of experience and wrinkled ripe fulfilment. The wrinkled smile of completeness that follows a life lived undaunted and unsoured with accepted lies they would ripen like apples, and be scented like pippins in their old age. Soothing, old people should be, like apples when one is tired of love. Fragrant like yellowing leaves, and dim with the soft stillness and satisfaction of autumn. And a girl should say: It must be wonderful to live and grow old. Look at my mother, how rich and still she is! – And a young man should think: By Jove my father has faced all weathers, but it's been a life! 2

Demographic changes in many countries Couples are marrying later. They are having fewer or no children. People are living longer. In the future there will be more dependent people and fewer workers. 3

Comparing China and the UK In both countries, greater longevity and lower birth rates are having a significant impact. In the UK women are expected to live until they are 83 years old and men 79 years old. 77 years old and 74 years old in China. World Health Organisation In the UK in % of the UK population was over 64 and 19% was under 16 – soon there will be more older people than children. In China it is predicted that this will occur between 2025 and

Centenarians A report predicts that 33% of babies born in 2013 in the UK will live to be at least a hundred years old. This means that people will have a longer period of retirement. However this will increase the cost to society of pensions and care for older people. 5

Life for older people in the UK: some common stages Active retirement – able to travel, with time for new interests, perhaps working part-time (paid or voluntary) At home, becoming less active, perhaps with some health problems In sheltered housing – with some support but some independence In a nursing home or residential care, with full-time support The last weeks of life may be spent in a hospital or hospice 6

Advantages of retirement Having more choice than when working More time for friends, family and interests Free travel on buses and cheaper travel on trains and other concessions when visiting places 7

Worries Cost of living Cost of health care Responsibilities of only children Problems when there’s no-one to care Problems when family members live far away 8

Problems facing retired people: money and pensions Everyone has a state pension and many people have an occupational pension, but this may not be enough – it is estimated that I in 5 pensioners live below the poverty line. The State pension age is rising to 66, 67 and 68 for both men and women between 2010 and People will wait longer before they receive their pension. The value of occupational pensions is falling. Some people choose to retire before their state pension/retirement age. Others choose to work after their official retirement age to increase their pension or savings. 9

Old Age in China A short drama to show what it is like to be old in China. Three minutes What do retired people in China do and what problems do they face? 10

Warning When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people's gardens And learn to spit. 11

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. Jenny Joseph 12

Your turn to write Begin When I am an old woman… (or old man) You can be humorous or serious. 13

Health Problems of Older People As people live longer, they are likely to experience longer periods of ill-health Diseases of the heart and circulation system Cancer (although survival rates are improving for some types) Arthritis is common in old age and reduces mobility Diabetes is becoming more common in mid and later life 30% of people over 45 are obese, which leads to serious health problems, especially in old age Dementia 14

Health Care: the National Health Service The NHS is normally free (except for dental care). Most people are registered with a GP (General Practitioner). If you need to see your GP you must make an appointment and may have to wait several days. Your GP will decide if you need to go to hospital. If you need to go to hospital you may have to wait to see a specialist, to have tests or to have an operation. If you have an accident or a health emergency you will be taken to hospital but may wait several hours to see a doctor. 15

Accessing Health Care for Older People They may have complex health problems. If they have mobility problems it may be difficult for them to see a doctor or dentist. Some treatments may not be offered to people over a certain age. They often have to wait days, weeks or months to see specialist doctors. 16

Housing and care Active older people may continue to live independently in their own homes for many years. Many old people live alone, for example 3 out of 5 women over 75 live alone because they have been widowed, divorced or have never married. Older people sometimes live with their children but this is much less common than in China. Less than 1% of households are multi-family. Caring for older people can be difficult for family members and other. It may be difficult to decide when to move to sheltered housing or residential care. There may be less choice for people on low incomes. 17

Social life and social responsibilities Some older people become isolated and this affects their quality of life. Others have many friends and interests, even when they are less mobile. Some older people are regularly caring for others, either grandchildren, other family members or friends. sometimes for more than 35 hours per week. One in four families makes some use of grandparents in child care. Some grandparents give up jobs to care for grandchildren. Some older people are in the “sandwich” generation, helping with both parents and children or grandchildren. 18

Old Age in China Make a list of what you think it is like being old in China. When do people retire? What do they do after retirement? What problems do they face? 19

Do you know any elderly people? What do you admire about them? What is most important in their lives? What might you be like when you are older? 20