Sociology of Aging

Sociology of Aging
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Introduction
Nowadays, most of the countries around the globe experience rapid changes in the population structure. Mostly it appears in the form of decrease of the youth population and gradual increase of the elderly segment. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as population aging, is majorly caused by the decrease in birth rates, decrease in death rates as well as low migration patterns. To this end, most demographic projections indicate that by the year 2060, the percentage of the population older than 65 will be higher than the share of people under 15 (Uhlenberg, 2015). The pace of population deformations is alarming. Demographers explaining the reasons behind the global demographic changes conclude that social, economic and political environment is shifted by abovementioned deformations. Also, understanding previous population aging trends and socioeconomic patterns of them is vital in forecasting future demographic aging characteristics as well as formulating policies and decision-making concerning the welfare and health of the elderly people. Thus, this discussion tries to highlight the various population changes in aging that occur nowadays. The paper discusses the challenges and the opportunities of the population change in the form of aging and the suggestions on what can be done to maximize the opportunities and minimize challenges of the phenomenon.
Demographic Changes in Aging
The age distribution and patterns of the population in the most developed countries of the world such as the United States, Japan, and China, have rapidly shifted in terms of average age and percentage of the population 65 and above.

This age group has grown increasingly over the past decades and demographers forecast future increase in the elderly population over the younger one in the coming decades (Smith, 2010). This increase in aging is attributed to low fertility rates, especially in developed countries, low mortality rates of the elderly population segment, and to significant increase in immigration rates. Low fertility rates result in a lower number of children born. Thus, as women have fewer children, the share of the younger people declines. The low mortality rate of elderly people is attributed to improvements in the healthcare, pension schemes, dieting as well as advances in medical care. These effects, in turn, increase elderly segment of population significantly. Hence, projections indicate that most countries in Western Europe which experience low fertility rates are likely to have 27 percent increase of elderly people by 2060. Also, by 2020, it is projected that there will be more people over 65 than under 15 in the United States. In other countries which experience very low fertility rates, such as Japan, 35 percent of the population is forecasted to be covered by “over 65” age group. In China, for instance, the older population in future is projected to exceed the total number of older population in developed countries of the world. Also, the younger generation migrates from rural areas from the countries with an increasing share of the elderly people to the urban areas in seek of better opportunities.
Challenges and Opportunities of Demographic Changes in Aging
The increasing growth rates of the older people create both opportunities and challenges to policymakers and the deliverers of services at all levels, especially regarding the implications the age group usually has on the economy and its social aspects. One of the challenges of population aging is the increase in financial pressure, especially born by social security funds, pension schemes, medical care, and preventive cares. As population aging increases, fewer people become employed and the labor force declines. Younger people who are working thus have to take care of the elderly. The government also has to divert funds in special medicare and attention programs for the elderly. This financial pressure causes a decline in the development of other sectors of the economy as well as limiting the growth for the younger generation. As the majority of the elderly people go to retirement, they take their skills and experience with them. At the same time, there is the lack of young people to replace them. This fact decreases the growth of the labor force resulting in the lower growth rates of the economy. Another challenge of an aging population is its implication on small-scale businesses. For example, small businesses, in most countries, experiencing high share of elderly people, are managed by the older entrepreneurs. This is a challenge since the economy constantly changes and it requires succession to safeguard the business as well as the employees (Uhlenberg, 2015).
The opportunities the aging of population creates are diverse, especially in the social and economic sectors. For instance, as people age, their demand for new goods and service increases thus helping in the development of the market. This especially implies to the medical and tourism industries. As people age, the demand for new products as well as technology that facilitate comforts at their homes increases. Also, new health treatments foster the development of the medicare as well as the pharmaceutical sectors. The older people also engage in volunteer and social activities. This creates a human resource base which helps in sustaining community-based programs. The older people also provide workforce even after retirement. Some employers may want part-time or sometimes even full time experienced employees with relevant skills. In such instances, the older people play an important role in driving the labor market. The elderly can also be caretakers and guardians of the younger people. Thus, using their skills, experiences, and talents helps in building a strong foundation for the coming generations. For example, employing elderly in educational institutions assists the young people at adolescent stages. These opportunities create benefits for both age groups, as well as foster the development and utilization of the potential human resource of the elderly people.
Suggestions to Maximize Opportunities and Minimize the Challenges
To achieve long-term economic and social benefits and opportunities of aging population, proper intergenerational policies need to be formulated. The proper planning and implementation of the policies are important in achieving progress in the long-term perspective. There is also a need for the government and other relevant stakeholders in investing in all generations, both old and young. For instance, people who will become 65 years old in 2060 are already born. Thus, investing now, while those people are still young, is necessary to minimize the challenges of aging in the future when they become old. There is also a need for developing new institutions and facilities that will tap the wide skills and experiences of the elderly people. An issue of encouraging women in the developed countries to have children create a balance between the younger and the older generations comes about due to population aging.
Conclusion
Population aging trends will increase in the coming decades in most developed countries. Thus, countries need to promote social and economic changes that appreciate and recognize the potential of the older people. This will, in turn, improve opportunities and reduce challenges that arise from aging. Also, adoption and implementation of relevant policies and programs will assist in preparing the countries and societies for a demographic transition. As such, the policies will help to bridge the huge gaps in the economy, health, medicare, business, and education. Thus, understanding the demographic patterns and trends will help in making informed decisions to improve the welfare of the elderly people.
References
Smith, J. (2010). The aging population in the twenty-first century. Journal of health and
Statistics. 2(33) 2-4
Uhlenberg, P. (2015). Challenges and opportunities of global population aging. Journal of the
American society of aging. 37(1) pp. 1-8.