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. 2017;42(3):274-289.
doi: 10.1007/s12126-016-9244-8. Epub 2016 Apr 6.

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

Shereen Hussein  1 , Mohamed Ismail  2
Affiliations

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

Shereen Hussein et al. Ageing Int. 2017.

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.

Keywords: Ageing; Long-term care; Middle East; North Africa; Policy; Women; Women multiple roles.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

Dr. Shereen Hussein declares that she has no conflict of interest. Mr. Mohamed Ismail declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

As there is no person or personal data appearing in the paper, there is no one from whom a permission should be obtained in order to publish personal data.

Ethical Treatment of Experimental Subjects (Animal and Human)

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Total fertility rate by life expectancy in the 22 Arab countries grouped by level of palliative care development Source: Life expectancy and total fertility rate refer to rates in 2013 World Bank http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Female labour participation rate and proportion of the population aged 60 or more in the 22 Arab countries grouped by their relative level of Gender Inequality Index
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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