Category: Aging

Consider the view that cities of the future will need to be designed very differently from the ones we know today.

Cities of today are constructed in a way that makes people wonder how much progress we have made as a society. In fact, it is expected that people living in cities will multiply ten-fold in the next 4o years. The cities of the future will need to build using a holistic and sustainable approach. The cities of the future will need to be designed ensuring that it can accommodate a larger number of people and the quality of life is not compromised.


Many environmentalists predict that cities of the future will have to incorporate urban farming technologies. The urban farming technologies like vertical farming and hydroponics will be the future of the cities in the next few years. This will not only enable people to solve issues of food but also nourish the local economies. Another advantage of these vertical farms would be that they will add greenery to the concrete jungles of the future. It will also help people in eating food which is homegrown and will lead to healthier lifestyles. Initiatives in Shanghai, China and in Gotham, New York have sprung up to grow fruits and vegetables on roop tops and cleverly planned vertical farms. Thus, cities of the future need to be designed differently keeping in mind the agricultural practices and issues like water shortages.


The cities will have to be better designed in terms of transportation as well. Some of these technologies have already emerged in the present times. These include transportation in the form of electric cars and autonomous vehicles. The cities of the future will need to implement radical changes to other aspects of transportation like electric roads akin to the ones already seen in Frankfurt and Mannheim. The cities of the future may also need to change the mass transit system, to be faster and efficient. Elon Musk’s hyperloop concept, for example, could very much turn into a reality in the future. This is especially true in the case of India and Estonia where Virgin Hyperloop One is already planning routes for the transport. It could also be common to see drones delivering pizzas and robots cleaning homes in the future. Thus, current innovative ideas will have to be incorporated in the future cities to make them more fast, comfortable and efficient.
Future cities would also need to be more inclusive of the ageing population.

The buildings of the future would need to incorporate minor changes like ramps and lifts to allow wheelchair-bound elderly to move around the house. Cities of the future may also need to keep in mind the needs of the disabled. This can be done by creating doors that are slightly translucent for the deaf or street signs that are in braille. It might also need to include advancements in current designs like lift doors that remain open for longer, handrails for people, wider gates and barrier-free roads. There can be the incorporation of elderly care with childcare which can prove beneficial in improving the mental health of the senior citizens. Thus, city developers of the future must keep in mind the needs of the elderly by creating diverse designs.

While these concepts could be easily implemented in developed countries, developing countries could have a problem in designing for the future. Expertise, finance and most importantly having an infrastructure that suits the economic climate could be a crucial factor determining the progress of Nairobi, Johannesburg or Lagos. The future does not need to be technologically advanced. It can be adaptive to nature and sustainable. The changes can be drastic in some areas but in other areas, there are only minor adjustments to be made to the existent designs. The cities of the future need to be different in terms of environment, transportation systems and will require to be more inclusive. In the future, the cities will not just be cities but smart cities.

“The elderly fulfil a vital and indispensable function in society.” Do you agree?

The role of an elderly has been of prime importance since ancient times. People have depended upon elders for advice and instructions. Changing family structure, scientific progress and demographic projections, have brought about a change in attitude towards the aged population of all countries. Unfortunately, the elderly population today is being treated as a burden by the younger generation. However, this attitude is fallacious as the elders can still play a prominent role in society. The role of the elderly in nations progress has great importance as their experience and wisdom pave the path for the younger generation to move efficiently towards their goals. Thus, it is true that the elderly fulfil a vital and indispensable function in society.

The young generation is supposed to be the wealth of any nation; and, the elderly add value to this wealth. Senior citizens accumulate a wealth of wisdom through their experiences. These experiences can be used to teach the young generation about the fine line between right and wrong. The elderly through their anecdotes can help the young people develop values and ideals that could prove beneficial for them. It is often seen that children who grow up in the company of their grandparents are more sympathetic, kind, generous and supportive. Sharing of thoughts develops a sense of togetherness and alienates gloom. The veterans in the family can kindle virtues and restrain vice through amicable guardianship.

Detractors would insist that in today’s world children are growing up surrounded by a different set of challenges. The philosophies of the elderly belong to a different time period and are outdated and irrelevant in the modern context. In the materialistic world of mechanical prevalence, youth would rather prefer to be speedy and smart than slow and steady.

However, truth is never outdated and technology cannot replace human influence. Despite the intervention of eLearning, the role of a teacher is still irreplaceable; so is the role of the elderly. As time is moving fast and the new generation is in a hurry to achieve the goals of life, it becomes all the more important that they be in contact with the elders who can prevent them from tumbling into erroneous pitfalls of modernity.

The elderly can contribute to nations development as zealously as the young and perhaps more. Growing in age does not hamper abilities, in fact it enhances them. Physical weakness and cognitive deterioration are possible but that does not categorize the old people as completely unproductive and useless. The judges in the judiciary, senior professors, scientists, and such people in all fields are working efficiently despite their age. The world has innumerable examples of the aged and even disabled aged individuals making their contributions to the world at large. The anti-Apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela announced the formation of an international group, The Elders when he was eighty-seven years old. This organisation works for solving the most challenging problems of the world like-HIV AIDS, poverty and climate change and has the support of Kofi Anan, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu and many more social activists and veterans. Famous writers, authors, artists, musicians have added to the aesthetic and artistic creations of the world even in the twilight years of their life. John Milton, after spending his youthful days as political pamphleteer created his masterpieces Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained in later years and after having impaired his vision.

Those that hold opposing views suggest that ageing is inevitably linked to senility. Advancement in science and medical facilities can protect the elderly from mortal chronic diseases, but most of the time they survive with some sort of impairment that makes long term care mandatory. As the dependency ratio, is showing an increased percentage in near future, the elders will only add to the social, financial and moral burden- the young will feel the guilt of not being able to take proper care of the elders- on the young. Lacking not merely in strength but also in standard education, old people cannot actively participate in progressive productivity. The brilliant spark of creativity is found only in a few, while the majority grope about in awful helplessness.

It would be myopic to disregard the fact that medical advancements and improvements in healthcare are keeping the elderly hale and hearty. Elderly today not only survive; they also remain fit and active by indulging in activities like exercise, dance and even swimming. Increased life expectancy and better health are resources that societies should utilize for enhancing productivity as well as strengthening the workforce. The elderly population today is ever ready to compromise and, in many companies, there are aged people who have much younger bosses. The need is to treat the senior citizens with regard and capitalize on their wisdom rather than seclude them as unproductive or a cumbersome load.

The future of the Earth is safe under the prudent care of the baby boomers and the generation X population. Thus, it can well be concluded that the greying lot of citizens fulfil a vital and indispensable function in society.

Is immigration the only solution to the problem of ageing populations?

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Economists and politicians believe that the growing ageing population may affect areas like economic growth, health care and pension funds. Various governments have proposed that the ageing population needs to be replaced by immigrants. However, immigration also poses challenges that only add to the problem rather than solving it. Instead, the focus should be on encouraging more births, raising the retirement age and improving healthcare. These measures should be considered and adopted alongside immigration policies to tackle the issue of the ageing population.

Supporters of immigration believe that it supplements the shrinking labour force. Immigrants can help in reversing population decline and also protect countries from losing revenue generation from taxes. An example of this can be seen in the United States, where immigrants paid an estimated $328 billion in taxes, in the year 2014. This is the reason why countries like the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Canada welcome immigrants to supplement their ageing populations. Carefully selected immigrants that meet immigration criteria through professional qualifications and expertise are hotly canvassed by many governments around the world as they are a good replacement for an ageing population.

However, immigration can pose a series of challenges for a country. The belief that immigration is the panacea to the problem of the ageing population can be misguided. Convenient access to foreign workers does not translate to productivity. Working culture of immigrants is often not synonymous with the working culture of locals.  Furthermore, immigrants not integrated within society can face issues like racism and also result in widespread xenophobia. An example of this can be seen in South Africa, where immigrant shops were attacked and people beaten because citizens feared that foreigners were taking away local jobs. In homogenous societies like Japan, hiring foreign workers has led to protests and demonstrations. Similar sentiments have been seen in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Singapore. This is because the Japanese believe that foreigners will be unable to assimilate into Japanese society and struggle with the language. All these points show that there is a need to rethink foreign immigration policies in the sense that they are beneficial to both immigrants and the locals. It is possible to make immigration a more viable solution, though it is not the only solution available. 

Instead of immigrations, countries should focus on supplementing the ageing population. One method would be to encourage more births. Many countries have started implementing measures that address the root of low births. In countries like France, Finland, Norway and Sweden, governments have encouraged citizens to have more children by providing them with job security. Through family-friendly policies as well as liberal social norms like single parenthood, these countries have successfully managed to raise their fertility rates. Clearly, it is evident that boosting the fertility rate would have a far more pronounced effect on mitigating the effects of an ageing population in the long run.

There is also a need to understand that the ageing population is a boon and not a burden. Today’s ageing population lives longer than the previous generations. Medical advancements have allowed senior people to live an active and healthy life. Governments should treat the older population as an asset and with this view increase the retirement age. When the ageing population is given the freedom to work, they would feel more empowered and independent. This would also reduce the financial burden on their families who consider them a liability.  By allowing senior citizens to work governments can ensure economic growth and also the well-being of the seniors. The trend of hiring older people is gaining impetus through returnship programmes offered by companies like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Boeing and even Starbucks. The elderly should be encouraged to work because it gives their life a purpose and also helps the society in economic terms. Therefore, instead of replacing the ageing population the focus should be to reintegrate them within the workforce.

In conclusion, immigration is not the key solution to the problem of the ageing population.  Nationalistic sentiments in France and Germany have shown that immigrants eventually bear the brunt of local socioeconomic discontentment. While it can be an efficient practice, it needs to work in tandem with other factors. In the long run, it may prove beneficial to strengthen the ageing population of the country by providing them with opportunities to stay productive. Alternatives like boosting fertility rates, honing and upgrading digital skills and providing medical support to the elderly would work better in the long-run.

Nobody has the right to pull the plug on someone’s life.

From a religious perspective, life is given to us by God and that nobody can have the right to take away our lives except for God. However, in today’s society, taking away of other’s life are is still seen. They come in forms like capital punishment, murder cases, suicide and euthanasia. I feel that taking someone’s life is morally incorrect as we do not have the right to pull the plug on someone’s life. Also, I feel that God is the only one that can take away life because he is the one who created us.

Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. In short, it means legal suicide. Normally, In countries where it is legal, doctors used to adopt this method to relieve the pain of the patients by putting them to “sleep”. However, this is abused by some family members who are greedy. For example, they may bribe the doctor into using euthanasia so that the family members can inherit the patient’s properties or wealth. Although euthanasia is legal, I believe that the taking of life should not be done by others but by God himself. However, this is from a religious stand point. From a legal stand point, let’s take Dignitas as an example.  Dignitas is an organization located in Switzerland, that ends the life of people with assisted dying organization that helps those with a terminal illness and severe mental illness to die assisted by qualified doctors. In addition, they provide assisted death to people provided they are of sound judgment and submit to an in-depth medical report prepared by a psychiatrist that establishes the patients’ condition, as required by Swiss Courts. This form of euthanasia is legally correct. However, in some cases, euthanasia is not legally correct too. Jack Kevorkian, commonly known as “Doctor Death” was a euthanasia activist. He was arrested and tried for his direct row involvement in a case of voluntary euthanasia.

In addition, the Government also plays a part in pulling the plug of others life. The death of serious offenders are presumed to be correct, however, criminals are still humans and they deserve equal rights as we do. Deontology is an ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to a rule or rules. Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is one that maximizes utility, specifically defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.  This can be contrasted with deontological ethics. Although the role of the government is to protect its citizens, taking the life of a human should be deemed wrong. Philosophy concept like deontology forbids the taking of life, promoting that we should all act on a strong moral compass.

Last of all, Vigilante. In some cases “vigilante justice” is rationalized by the idea that adequate legal mechanisms for criminal punishment are either nonexistent or insufficient. Vigilantes typically see government as ineffective in enforcing the law, and such individuals often presume to justify their actions as fulfilment of the wishes of “the community”.Persons alleged to be “escaping the law” or “above the law” are sometimes the victims of vigilantism. Although doctors can play a role in easing the pain of a patient, and in other instances, the government can keep the peace and offer retribution to its citizens by capital punishment, in practical and moral points of view In conclusion, nobody has the right to pull the plug of someone else life because it goes against religious doctrine.  

‘Longer life expectancy creates more problems than benefits.’ Discuss.

Longer life is only good when the elderly have the financial resources to look after themselves. Longer life does indeed create more problems than benefits.

Right up to the late nineteenth century, life expectancy was short, people were considered fortunate enough to live till their fifties. However, advancements in the field of medicine has changed this completely. People have started living longer thanks to vaccines and medical treatments. Though science should be celebrated for coming up with better cures for untreatable diseases, there is no denying that science has also led to problems by stretching the life expectancy of the people. Thus, it can be said that problems of longer life expectancy outweigh the benefits because it has led to deterioration in quality of life, plus has brought various social and economic problems.

Longer life expectancy has allowed people to have multiple career paths. They are not bound to follow a single career path. It can be thus said that longevity has allowed people to contribute much more to society with their skills and talents. Unlike the past, people do not have to regret for not being able to accomplish their plans because of a shorter life span.  Longer life expectancy also allows for greater sharing of traditions and allows grandchildren to have more experience and exchange with their grandparents. Thus, it can be said that longer life expectancy has created many opportunities for people to fulfil their life goals.

However, longer life expectancy has also led to multiple problems like deterioration of quality of life. Though people today have access to medicines for various diseases, it has not helped in improving their quality of life. In fact, most patients suffering from terminal illnesses like heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s derive little health improvements. People suffering from these illnesses gradually get worse and this makes people wonder if a long life is even useful.  There are medical processes available today that prolong life but do not guarantee recovery for example, processes like dialysis, which are used for kidney failure are very painful and do not improve quality of life.

Similarly, in case of cancer, people are usually recommended to undergo chemotherapy, while it may seem to extend the life of the patient, it may put the patient in a lot of duress. While the drugs used in chemotherapy are powerful enough to destroy cancer cells, they also destroy the healthy cells within a patients’ body. For some patients the process chemotherapy is worse than the disease itself. Thus, it is evident that though medicines extend life, it creates more problems than benefits because people’s quality of life deteriorates.

Some might argue that longer life expectancy means that the older generation can guide and instruct the younger generation. The wisdom and skills of the older generation can help the younger generation overcome problems they face in their work or personal life. For example, senior employees can help younger employees to understand the challenges of work. However, it is not necessarily true that longer lives make older folk wiser. With our ever changing society it can also be said that wisdom of the past is not relevant today.  Although there are seniors that are adapting to social and technological changes, but they are few in numbers. Thus, longer life does not mean that people live a wiser life and more than benefit it becomes a liability.

Another important point is that people who have a longer life expectancy can become a burden on their children. This can lead to poor living conditions. Though children love their parents, it is common to come across cases of parental abuse and children keeping their parents in poor condition because they can no longer care for them. Japan is a prime example of this point. Japan has the highest percentage of aging population, which is expected to rise to forty percent in 2050. With changing family dynamics, more parents are being left alone by their children, which leads them to die alone.

The future of the elderly seems even bleaker when we hear cases where parents are left alone on streets to fend for themselves or abused by their own children. For example, a survey conducted in India by Age well foundation, showed that 7o per cent of the elderly were harassed and mistreated by their own family members and relatives. Longer life expectancy of parents might put financial and emotional burden on the children leading them to take unexpected steps. Therefore, it can be said that longer life expectancy brings more problems than benefits.

In conclusion, longer life expectancy is more problematic than beneficial because it leads to crippling effects on the elderly, it also deteriorates the quality of life of people and puts an immense burden on the younger generation financially and emotionally. Long life is only good when it enables people to lead quality productive lives. Longer life is only good when the elderly have the financial resources to look after themselves. Longer life does indeed create more problems than benefits.

How successful has your society been in embracing the old?

Singapore like many developed countries faces the issue of the ageing population. It is expected that by 2030, one in five people would have crossed the age of 65. What adds to the problem is the negative stereotypes attached to being old. Old people are often considered as weak, dependent and vulnerable. As such, it becomes very important for a country like Singapore to ensure that the ageing population remains healthy, productive and are assisted in living healthier lives. Recognising this challenge, Singapore has taken steps to embrace the aged population in various ways and have implemented measures that ensure their well-being, economic benefits and elderly-friendly environment.

The most common problem faced by ageing society is in terms of employment, where young are favoured over the older population. This is because it is often considered that elderly people are not as technologically advanced as the younger generation. However, in Singapore, The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) ensures that there are fair and progressive employment practices and assistance for employees. This means that ageist practices by employers are curtailed. By implementing the TAFEP, the government has addressed the root cause of discrimination against the elderly, by correcting stereotypes and educating the employers. The government also encourages elderly workers to undergo skills training so that they have the relevant employability skills. Government agencies like Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore run a number of programmes to help workers acquire new skills and find jobs. By providing older citizens with financial independence and a sense of purpose through contributing to their workplace and society, they are more integrated, maintain stronger social bonds, and are generally happier than their non-working counterparts. Thus, Singapore has successfully taken the welfare and interests of the elderly into consideration and protected their position in the workforce.

The Singapore government has also implemented policies and programmes for elderly health care. Singapore government has set up various programmes to help seniors struggling with health problems. These include subsidies for medicines, regular doctor consultation and in case of hospitalisation. Medical insurance funds like Medishield and Eldershield are also provided by the government so that elderly people do not face any problems financially. The Singapore government has also successfully recognised the mobility needs of the elderly and helps them to stay independent. For ensuring this, they have implemented programmes like the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund which allows the senior citizens to offset costs for equipment like walking sticks, wheelchairs, hearing aid and even spectacles. These facilities enable the seniors to live a healthy life when they do not need to care about the medical expenses. Thus, Singapore has been successful in embracing the old in terms of healthcare and medical services.

Singapore not only cares about the elderly in terms of healthcare and employment but has also ensured that the elderly live a positive and active lifestyle. The government has tried its best to integrate the elderly within society and make them feel that they are not different. Singapore has introduced programmes like the Active ageing programmes where seniors are allowed to take up interesting activities like Zumba, K-pop fitness, stretch band exercises and low impact aerobics. Furthermore, these activities allow the seniors to interact with other seniors through social activities like cooking classes, health workshops, card games and karaoke. Similarly, in terms of housing and other spaces, the government ensures that the places are elderly-friendly. For example, The HDB EASE package, which stands for Enhancement for Active Seniors, helps elderly residents to install items like ramps, slip-resistant floors in bathrooms and railings in their flat to make it elder-friendly. Furthermore, The Silver Zone scheme focuses on enhancing road safety for the elderly through various safety measures. Thus, Singapore cares about the elderly living needs and ensures that the elderly live active and healthy lifestyles.

However, despite the noble efforts of the government, some groups of elderly do feel neglected and outcast in some instances. Among Singapore citizens, many youths and middle-aged workers may, understandably, frown upon the idea of spending vast amounts of resources on the elderly at their expense. The younger generation sometimes fails to understand the needs of the elderly and continue to neglect and sometimes even abuse them. This is evident from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) report in 2016 where fifty-five cases of elder abuse were reported. In 2017, the cases rose to 77 cases. 2018 saw 126 cases. However, despite these cases, Singapore is still better in understanding the needs of the elderly. The Maintenance of Parents Act by the government mandates it that the children take care of their parents, this ensures that the rights of the elderly are protected financially. Furthermore, the government makes sure that the people abusing senior citizens are punished for their deeds. The government has also taken an initiative in that foster interaction and bonding between people of different generations. This can be seen in the form of Singapore Taskforce’s Grandparenting and Inter-generational Bonding programme. Thus, despite a few instances where the elderly are neglected, Singapore is trying hard to wipe out stereotypes about the elderly and improve understanding between the young and older generations.

In summation, it can be concluded that Singapore does a great job of embracing the old in society. The government plays an instrumental role in integrating the elderly in the society by providing them assistance in employment, healthcare and living active lifestyles. There are ageist attitudes in the society to some extent but the government is taking initiatives to correct this too. Singapore has indeed created a society largely embracing the old.

‘No one should be prosecuted for helping the terminally ill to die with dignity.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

Keywords: ‘prosecuted’ and ‘helping’ and ‘terminally ill’ and ‘dignity’ and ‘how far’ and ‘agree’.

  • Personal choice/freedom to be respected
  • ‘Dignity’ is a human right
  • A measure of compassion and love (which should not be punished)
  • Forced to go to a legal country (e.g. Dignitas in Switzerland) – expensive/unfamiliar/suffering
  • Not a matter for the State
  • Precious time wasted (e.g. legal battles)
  • Legal protection from exploitation
  • Health professionals know best
  • Sanctity of life
  • Religious objections
  • Always a chance of a cure/new treatments

How successful has your society been in embracing the old?

It is a common misconception that the elderly are marginalised in society and are passed over in favour of younger workers. Critics also opine that the elderly receive limited healthcare, and have their needs neglected. Fortunately, the far-sighted government of Singapore has taken steps to accommodate and appreciate the value of the aged in many ways.  From enhancing the employability skills of the elderly to investing in healthcare and even integrating them into society by altering the living environment, much has been done to embrace the old.

Faced with the reality of an ageing population and shrinking workforce, the Singapore government has given much attention to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP). TAFEP curtails workplace discrimination against the elderly and gives those above 55 an equal chance to progress at work.  To assist older workers in staying relevant, government-sponsored skills-training programmes  encourage employers to hire and invest in training older workers. These initiatives point to the fact that the Singapore government has taken the welfare and interests of the elderly into consideration and protected their position in the workforce. Success, in this case, is the foresight with which the government has implemented these initiatives.

Employability aside, the Singapore government has upgraded physical infrastructure and subsidised medical consultations and treatments for the elderly. The Pioneer Generation Package was implemented in 2014 to help senior citizens to cope with rising health expenses in their old age. New hospitals have been built in older public housing estates to cater to geriatric care. The public authority in charge of road infrastructure and transport has installed new road safety features at selected locations with a higher proportion of elderly residents. Measures have been implemented in several housing estates to slow down motorised traffic and enable motorists to keep a better look-out for pedestrians. Singapore has done much to embrace the old, not only in the workplace but also in terms of healthcare and living conditions.

To suggest that everything is perfect in Singapore would be rather dystopian. There are dark corners in even the most brightly lit room. There are a few instances where the elderly have felt outcast and left behind as the rest continue to move forward. There was opposition against the construction of nursing homes in some public housing estates some years back. Residents were afraid of falling property prices with a nursing home in their midst. Isolated instances of young people being rude to the elderly on trains have been documented via social media. Fortunately, such cases are mostly isolated. Singaporeans are largely mindful of the place of the elderly and give the elderly a wide berth in how they adjust to life. The government provides subsidies to young couples to purchase flats near the home of their parents to ensure strong familial links. Even private developers build housing with dual keys to ensure parents can live next to their married children and eventually look after grandchildren.

Singapore has made great leaps in embracing the old. They are kept active in the workforce, infrastructure is adjusted to help them be mobile and healthcare coverage has been expanded to ensure suitable coverage. Singapore has welcomed the old with open arms. They are an asset to the country and the elderly deserve to be well-taken care of rather than being marginalised. There will always be gaps, especially in some members of the public’s mindsets. On the whole, however, Singapore has indeed created a society largely embracing the old.