The Well-Being of the Elderly in Asia : A Four-Country Comparative Study

Examines the effects of social and economic change on the aging populations of Asia |The past two decades have witnessed rapid social, economic, and demographic change in East and South-East Asia. The older populations in these regions have been increasing faster than in the West, and the proportions of people over sixty will more than double over the next thirty years. Increased urbanization and educational levels and a strong shift to professional, technical, manufacturing, and service occupations are changing the social and economic landscape, leading to concern for the well-being of the elderly, who traditionally have relied on the family for support. Governments are attempting to preserve these traditions while taking into account widespread family change and new expectations for pension, health insurance, and other public programs. The contributors to this volume use survey and other data collected over ten years to examine the well-being of the current older population in four Asian countries: The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Each major analytic chapter looks at a key dimension of well-being—economic, physical and mental health, work and leisure—and how these are affected by the familial and social support arrangements, as well as age, gender, education, and urban-rural residence. Where possible, changes over time are traced. Explicit attention is given to the policies and programs in place and under development in each country and to the cultural accommodations underway. The contributors also look ahead to the implications of the large numbers of elderly with very different characteristics who will predominate in the coming years and to the policy implications of this coming transformation. The book will be important for scholars and policymakers whose work involves population in Asia, including demographers, sociologists, and economists. Albert I. Hermalin is Research Scientist at Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, and Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, University of Michigan. The Well-being Of The Elderly In Asia Provides A Comparative Examination Of The Welfare Of The Elderly And Their Sources Of Support Across Four Asian Societies That Differ Culturally And In Terms Of Their Economic Development. Writing From The Perspective Of The Demography Of Aging, A Growing Multidisciplinary Field That Intersects With More Traditional Gerontological Concerns And Treatments, The Contributors Use Survey And Other Data Collected Over A Ten-year Period To Provide A Detailed Collaborative Investigation Of The Well-being Of The Current Older Population In The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, And Thailand On Several Dimensions. The Book Examines The Contexts Of The Four Countries And How Policies, Programs, And Cultural Accomodations Relevant To The Elderly Have Developed In Response To Recent Sociodemographic Changes. A Common Conceptual Framework Is Used To Analyze Key Dimensions Of Well-being - Economic Status, Physical And Mental Health, Work And Leisure - And How They Are Affected In Each Society By Familial, Social, And Formal Support Arrangements, As Well As By Age, Gender, Education, And Urban-rural Residence. Where Possible, Changes In These Dimensions Over Time Are Traced.--book Jacket. Aging In Asia: Facing The Crossroads / Albert I. Hermalin And Lora G. Myers -- The Demographic, Socioeconomic, And Cultural Context Of The Four Study Countries / John Knodel, Mary Beth Ofstedal, And Albert I. Hermalin -- Policies And Programs In Place And Under Development / Mary Beth Ofstedal [and Others] -- Theoretical Perspectives, Measurement Issues, And Related Research / Albert I. Hermalin -- Patterns And Determinants Of Living Arrangements / John Knodel And Mary Beth Ofstedal -- Intergenerational Support And Transfers / Ann Biddlecom, Napaporn Chayovan, And Mary Beth Ofstedal -- Work, Retirement, And Leisure / Albert I. Hermalin [and Others] -- Economic Well-being: Insights From Multiple Measures Of Income And Assets / Albert I. Hermalin, Ming-cheng Chang, And Carol Roan -- Physical And Mental Health Of The Elderly / Zachary Simmer [and Others] -- Patterns Of Health Care Utilization / Mary Beth Ofstedal And Josefina N. Natividad -- The Vulnerable And Their Potential Disadvantages / Albert I. Hermalin, Mary Beth Ofstedal, And Kalyani Mehta -- Capturing Change: Transitions At Older Ages And Cohort Succession / Albert I. Harmalin -- Making The Choices: Policies And Research For The Coming Years / Albert I. Hermalin. Albert I. Hermalin, Editor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the broadest sense, The Well-Being of the Elderly in Asia is a study of social change and of anticipating future social change. It examines the effects on the current and future elderly of the rapid demographic transition that has occurred over much of Asia, accompanied in many countries by equally dramatic social and economic transformations. Policymakers in Asia have been aware of these trends and their potentially deleterious consequences for a decade or more, and have sought to fashion appropriate policies and programs that anticipate and mitigate their effects. Accordingly, any study of the sociodemographic trends and their impact must be examined in the light of policies put in place and under development.