I came across some interesting statistics from the Ministry of Social Development:
The population aged 65 years and over has increased from 11 per cent of the total population in 1991 to 13 per cent in 2009. It is expected to reach 21 per cent by 2031. The number of people aged 65 years and over is projected to increase from around 550,000 in 2009 to 1 million in the late 2020s, when they will outnumber children.
(https://www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/seniorcitizens/positive-ageing/trends/ageing-population.html)
So I guess that explains the development of more retirement villages. Nevertheless I wonder what will happen when more 65+ aged people will move into their “designated” living quarters?
Does it mean our cities will be shrinking while retirement villages will be growing? Is it really a good idea to separate families and “old” people from each other?
Yet at the same time it appears to me that when you create an environment for old people, that is actually an environment that would partly suit children and disabled as well – things like ramps and disabled access benefit a range of people, in particular pushchairs and buggies.
The creation of parks and resting areas can be utilised by young and old. What about both learning from each other?
What is required though is RESPECT from both young and old. The young tend to be very fast and noisy whereas the old like it quiet and slow – well, most of them. It is about respect and care and it would appear that we should be learning and teaching that rather than simply separating each other. The respect is needed by both young and old likewise to each other.
I am not old – at least don’t feel like it. I sometime put up with the noise my kids are doing – they have a right to play. Likewise I sometimes calm them down as I have a right for some peace and quiet too. It’s about recognising each other’s needs and respecting it.
