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Ageing and Elderly Care in the Arab Region: Policy Challenges and Opportunities

Hussein, Shereen, Ismail, Mohamed (2017) Ageing and Elderly Care in the Arab Region: Policy Challenges and Opportunities. Ageing International, 42 (3). pp. 274-289. ISSN 0163-5158. (doi:10.1007/s12126-016-9244-8) (KAR id:68296)

Abstract

Populations are expected to age rapidly in the Arab countries during the coming few decades. However, the current evidence base indicates that many countries in the region are not paying attention to this demographic phenomenon. This is a particular concern as longevity is often accompanied by many years of ill health and disability and most of the countries in the region continue to rely on the family as the primary source of elder care. While the family, and particularly women, are expected to provide increasing support for longer, they are faced by a set of socio-demographic changes that may hinder their ability to provide such care. This paper focuses on the ageing demographics in the Arab region and reflects on the multiple-roles for women by utilising quantitative analysis of international population and socio-economic indicators as well as reviewing the background literature and current ageing policies in the region. The paper then discusses possible strategies to address increasing long-term care needs through a social capital lens, where support to informal carers particularly women is emphasised.Populations are expected to age rapidly in the Arab countries during the coming few decades. However, the current evidence base indicates that many countries in the region are not paying attention to this demographic phenomenon. This is a particular concern as longevity is often accompanied by many years of ill health and disability and most of the countries in the region continue to rely on the family as the primary source of elder care. While the family, and particularly women, are expected to provide increasing support for longer, they are faced by a set of socio-demographic changes that may hinder their ability to provide such care. This paper focuses on the ageing demographics in the Arab region and reflects on the multiple-roles for women by utilising quantitative analysis of international population and socio-economic indicators as well as reviewing the background literature and current ageing policies in the region. The paper then discusses possible strategies to address increasing long-term care needs through a social capital lens, where support to informal carers particularly women is emphasised.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s12126-016-9244-8
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: M3 - Article [Field not mapped to EPrints] U2 - 10.1007/s12126-016-9244-8 [Field not mapped to EPrints] JO - Ageing International [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: Long-term care, Policy, Women multiple roles, Women, Ageing, Middle East, North Africa
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Shereen Hussein
Date Deposited: 13 Nov 2018 11:49 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 06:31 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/68296 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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