Jhabindra Bhandari

The world still continues to experience a sustained change in the age structure of the population, driven by increasing life expectancy and decreasing levels of fertility. People are living longer lives and the pace of population ageing is accelerating. Thus, the population ageing has profound implications for many facets of human life. An ageing population will affect everything from economies, labour markets to health and social care. This prospect requires a better understanding of the implications and possibilities posed by population ageing as well as the situation of older persons themselves.

The digital technologies primarily include the internet, mobile phones and all relevant tools to collect, analyse and share the information digitally. These have been increasingly used for digital public services, digital payments, online learning, telehealth and more. However, many people still do not have access to digital technologies in rural and remote areas of least developed countries. Therefore, the digital divide still persists between more and less connected countries and communities. This divide remains a significant challenge that needs to be effectively addressed in national development policies and strategies to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Digital opportunity
In the context of fast-changing innovation in digital technologies, older persons are less digitally connected than youth. They face problems and challenges to access essential goods and services - from online vaccination appointment registrations, to pensions, food and medication during lockdowns and other emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crystal clear that digital inclusion is necessary condition to promote equality and equity. In this context, national governments, civil society, development partners and private sectors need to collaborate for effective partnerships and resource mobilisation that advance digital opportunities for all, particularly for those who are disadvantaged and marginalised or at risk of being left behind.

More policy initiatives and concrete actions are needed to ensure equal access to goods and services including digital technologies. There are emerging priorities to make digital technologies accessible and affordable across populations for the use of daily services such as e-banking, e-commerce and telehealth services among others. Enhancing digital literacy for all and especially among older persons should be a key policy priority as societies advance digitalisation in the recent years. This will empower older persons to effectively, safely and securely use, and benefit from, the opportunities provided by digital technologies. In addition, they represent a growing market for digital technologies tailored to their basic needs of health care and other essential social services.

While digitalisation brings enormous opportunities for ageing populations, national governments, civil society, development partners, media and private sectors need to leverage the potential of digital technologies for active and healthy ageing. Therefore, more investments are required to ensure digital equity for all ages. In this context, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) together with World Health Organisation (WHO) and other key partners, recently convened a first ever national geriatrics conference which aimed to discuss a range of issues, challenges and opportunities for collective actions to improve the health and well-being of senior citizens. This conference provided a unique opportunity to share a wide range of experiences, practices and issues around social care needs and hence develop a roadmap for integrated long-term care for older persons.
In addition, the government has decided to establish geriatric wards in selected hospitals to facilitate easy access to health care services for older persons. Among others, existing national policies, strategies and health sector interventions need to be further reviewed to identify gaps in policies and interventions in the federal context. Moreover, there are critical needs of harnessing digital technologies for easy access to social protection, health, education, income earning opportunities for older persons in developing countries.

According to global report on ageism - 2021, the effects of ageism on health are seen in all parts of the world, have increased over time, and are most likely to impact disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, older people with lower levels of education are more likely to experience the health consequences of ageism. The report further provides convincing evidences that for older people, ageism is associated with a shorter lifespan, poorer physical and mental health, slower recovery from disability and cognitive decline. This significantly reduces older people’s quality of life, increases their social isolation and loneliness, restricts their ability to express their sexuality and may increase the risk of violence and abuse against older people.

Global collaboration
In the context of COVID-19, there are emerging needs of evidence informed policies, systems and services which promote healthy ageing and ensure that older persons can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment. To this end, the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is a global collaboration, aligned with the SDGs that brings together governments, civil society, development partners, academia, the media, and the private sector to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live. This is an opportunity for concerted actions to promote healthy ageing and to tackle the challenges that impact on health status of older persons.

There are critical needs to raise awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons and explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety. Long-term-care systems enable older persons to receive the care and support that allow them to live a life consistent with their basic rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.

(Bhandari is senior doctoral research fellow in global health and health systems).