Elemental Considerations of ‘Long Life’ as Success or Failure

Abstract

Population ageing is a success story resulting from preventing death and prolonging health. But do people who live to late age find the experience meaningful? Until medical technologies and public health strategies informed our lifestyle choices around preventing illness and disability and prolonging life, few people reached old age. Demographic change affects social relationships and spirituality. Resourcing priorities in environments of scarcity can occur using undeclared criteria where those considered ‘less worthy’ can have service access limited. For long life to be experienced as a success, elders must be valued and nurtured as they bravely live longer lives than past generations.

Keywords:

• Spirituality
• social policy
• population ageing
• elder abuse