Instead of producing goods or services-the traditional economic model “products"-older persons may contribute a “product" that has value to society, such as caring for children,caring for other older persons,caring for the oldest old, providing community leadership,mentoring or being an effective role model.But in spite of their significant human and economic benefits,such contributions have not been figured into an economy's gross national product.And they have not been appropriately valued.
Over the past several decades, most industrialized countries have experienced a substantial drop in the average age at which individuals retire from the labour market.Longer life expectancy and better health have not been accompanied by longer working lives.As a consequence,these countries are facing serious concerns about the viability of social security systems.A key challenge for these countries is to mitigate the effects of a drop in the working age
population by increasing and prolonging the participation of older people in the labour market.
Social protection is a basic component of decent work.The objective of most social protection schemes is to provide access to health care and income security. But today more than haIf the world's population is excluded from any type of social security protection.
In most developing countries,no more than 20 per cent-and sometimes as few as 5 per cent-of older persons can expect to receive a pension or adequate health care.People working in the informal economy,predominantly women,are likely to have very low or no income in old age.
For older persons,the main expenditure tends to be on health.Health care is an essential part of social protection in any society, and as the global population ages,it is essential that health services adapt to new demands.Even in countries where the family takes on the responsibility of caring for frail older people,global pressures and trends suggest that the elderly will increasingly be forced to rely on themselves,as younger people move from rural to urban areas for economic reasons.
A growing sector of the population that will certainly require care is the oldest old, those 80 years of age or older. Some have developed strategies for caring for themselves and for each other,and are thus able to receive and give care and support,to remain independent and to have control over their own lives. But the percentage of the oldest old is growing very rapidly,and there is an urgent need,particularly in developing countries,to expand care and security networks.
What can be inferred from the last paragraph?