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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| How gender and ageing affect the elderly | | Author(s) | Yesim Gokce Kutsal, Dilek Aslan |
| Journal title | Bold, vol 23, no 3, May 2013 |
| Publisher | International Institute on Ageing, Malta, May 2013 |
| Pages | pp 17-23 |
| Source | www.inia.org.mt |
| Keywords | Older men ; Older women ; Biological ageing ; Health [elderly] ; Social characteristics [elderly]. |
| Annotation | In the 21st century, ageing is a prominent feature both in developing and developed countries. Challenging social and economic conditions in daily life, and the increase in the number and severity of health problems in older age, this rationale ends with the perception that ageing is a "problematic" phase of life, although it is only a biological process. Among social, economic, cultural, demographic determinants, gender plays a crucial role in the ageing process; and there are many differences in the health/disease patterns between the two sexes. Many indicators easily show the differences between men and women as being due to gender issues. For example, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) shows women's disadvantaged situations in reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. As the development status of a country and its population increases, gender-based inequalities decrease globally. Disease patterns differ according to the country's development status. In developed countries, heart disease and stroke, cancer (lung and breast), diabetes and nutritional problems (anaemia and obesity), chronic disabling conditions (arthritis and osteoporosis), multiple conditions, minor conditions, sensory impairment (hearing loss), mental illness (depression, dementia) are prevalent. In developing countries, heart disease and stroke, cancer (cervical), communicable diseases (tuberculosis and pneumonia), diabetes and nutritional problems (anaemia and obesity), chronic disabling conditions (arthritis and osteoporosis), multiple conditions, minor conditions, sensory impairment (poor vision caused by cataracts), mental illness (depression and dementia) are more frequent. Recommendations of well-being with gender perspective basically are that national political measures should be developed and applied. These should influence individual, familial and social responsibilities, and the participation of women in working life and decision mechanisms should be supported. Older women must have more freedom and the patriarchal structure of the family should be changed. Education, income and occupation are key factors that determine social position as well as access to and control over power and resources. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-130510216 A |
| Classmark | BC: BD: BH: CC: F |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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