We live in an era of numerous challenges, from global warming, to nuclear attacks, to terrorism. In this era of accelerated internationalization where communication systems, the media, travel, and multicultural diversity reinforce the interconnectedness of our world, such issues are an increasingly intrinsic aspect of life for all individuals, societies, and governments. However, few challenges are as inevitable as global ageing, and few are as likely to have such a huge and enduring an impact upon living standards, governmental budgets, nations’ economic stability, health care delivery, and geo-political systems.

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is a global non-governmental organization with a membership base of NGOs, the corporate sector, academia, government, and individuals. Its’ mandate is ‘generating positive change for older people throughout the world by stimulating, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on rights, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life of people as they age.’

By examining current trends in ageing policy and practice, we not only address a fascinating and exciting field, but we gain a rich understanding of the complicated linkages that connect cultures and older people in our modern world. Presented are a series of papers addressing the perspectives of the Vice Presidents of the International Federation on Ageing from their geographic regional responsibilities. They address strategies and activities that IFA – VPs employs to achieve its goals. Concluding is the perspective of the VP-International, which illustrates the connectivity of our global world.

Presenter 1:

Asia Pacific must continue to prioritise innovative solutions to increasingly complex age-related issues as its population of four billion people grows and ages together at an unprecedented rate.

Half of the global population aged over 60 lives in the Asia Pacific region. While Japan dominates the ageing conversation with a third of its population aged over 60, China’s 200 million senior citizens alone outnumber all the European Union countries combined.

The possibilities for an older person ageing in the Asia Pacific region are seemingly vast, endless and beset with choice and under continual reform, but ageing populations are increasingly dominating the agenda of regional governments unable to meet the projected demand for services.

Graeme Prior is the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest privately operated aged care organisations in Australia. Over the last 25 years, Graeme has observed the vast changes facing aged care operators, staff, and older people, but confirms today’s challenges are new ground and on a scale never seen before in the region. Long-term thinking is required internationally for all levels of Government, business and trade to meet this ageing challenge.

Presenter 2:

Population ageing is a remarkable phenomenon which evident in economic, social and personal challenges for societies. These demographic change also opens a wide variety of new predictions for our startups and industrial players to develop new products and services, designed to the needs of an increasing number of older adults. We would expect to see technological and innovation can enhance the effectiveness of our health and long-term care systems, improve the quality of life of the older population and, at the same time, create a new page for societal changes.

To establish a proper role of technology in ageing in place, it is necessary first to consider the initial objectives abstracted from any particular technological approach implementation. Ageing in Place, enabling older people to stay at home in their community and avoid institutional care for as long as possible, has been the dominant model for positive ageing over the last decade. Successful ageing required an integrated approach to care, which means more care management and shared responsibility among health and social service system is needed. This presentation is a brief highlight of the remarks in ageing-in-place technologies, with an outlook to future possibilities.

Presenter 3:

Demography is simply the act of counting people. Nevertheless, it is important to study the forces that are driving population change, and measure how these changes have an impact on people’s lives and upon societies. For example, the anticipated increase in the number of older adults will have dramatic consequences for public health, health-care financing and delivery systems, informal caregiving, and pension systems. Another example derives from North American immigration patterns. North Americans are more racially and ethnically diverse than in the past, and this diversity is projected to continue in the coming decades.

This presentation address some of the challenges posed by an aging population and North America’s response. It also explores some of the ways in which older adults contribute to the society in which they live and respond to these same challenges. Families, communities, organizations, and the economy benefit from the direct and indirect involvement of older adults in North American Society.

Presenter 4:

Following the presentation of a series of papers addressing the perspectives of the Vice Presidents of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) from their geographic regional responsibilities, the final paper will be presented by the International Vice President.

This concluding paper will both summarize and synthesize these various perspectives, striving to highlight areas of connectivity and overlap in ageing policy and practice around the world, as well as illuminate notable differences. Cultural implications will be highlighted.

This paper will also provide questions for the panelist and audience to ponder and discuss   during the question and answer period of the session, as well as for ongoing consideration after the session.

This session is designed to educate the audience about regional and cultural differences that impact the experience of ageing in different areas of the world. The presenters also intend this information to spark positive action by the audience in support of the work of the IFA. Therefore, this final paper will link the information provided by all of the presenters to the ongoing work of the IFA and, if possible, conclude with a call to action for both the panelists and the audience.