You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1:
People in the first-world countries tend to live longer these days. Although this might be a good sign that the overall health has improved, it also brings some issues to the world. The essay will discuss the downsides of having ageing populations, as well as the solutions to combat these problems.
There are two disadvantages of having the ageing population. Firstly, the elderly would need more retirement fund than it might be previously expected, because they might need to rely on their pension for an extended period of time, such as for twenty years instead of merely fifteen years. Sadly, a recent survey reported that older people do not prepare sufficient funds to pay for their post-retirement expenses. As such, they might end up having financial problems later in life. Secondly, society might need more space for housing as the number of people living in this world continues to rise. This, in turn, might cause land or house prices to rise, making it less affordable for people to purchase.
Nevertheless, there are some measures that could be implemented to alleviate the negative effects. One of them is to provide affordable nursing homes so its cost will not be too burdensome to the family or the elderly themselves. This should also be supported by the growth in aged-care professions to ensure the welfare of the aged. In addition, superannuations need to be updated to suit the current condition of the ageing population. An example of this would be to start a campaign to promote early investment plan and financial savings. Hence, the young or the middle-aged can start preparing their retirement funds in order to accumulate enough savings to finance themselves.
In conclusion, while there are some issues brought by the higher life expectancy, there are some methods to solve the problems. These need to be done in order to guarantee the welfare of the aged.
[ Written by – Helen Lim ]
Sample Answer 2:
Since the dawn of time, the average life expectancy is increasing. This is evidence in the developing countries such as in Australia, United States of America and in England. As result of this trend, problems such as family conflicts and elderly antisocial acts will also arise. However, in every problem, there is always a solution, and to counter these negative impacts for individuals and to society perhaps treat elderly with respect and love as well as give them some certain task.
For one, as there is an increasing of ageing population, they tend to stay and live with their working children in one home in which misunderstanding may arise between the two. For instance, Filipino adults who are working and migrated in a developed country like Australia sponsored their old parents to live with them in that rich nation. But because these busy adults are always at work, he sometimes forgets his parents, and these elderly parents will feel disregarded and neglected that might result to more serious confrontations and conflicts. It is because sometimes an argument is unavoidable when living with children having their own family.
In addition to this, as these old people will feel unwanted and disregarded by their children, they may sometimes do negative acts towards their children and other people in their surroundings. For example, they may become agitated and always angry and might hurt their grandchildren at home. They may also go leave the house and do harmful things to other people in the community. This situation is common in the United States of America, according to the Psychiatric Nursing 4th edition book by Sheila L. Videbeck.
In conclusion, as the ageing population grows, family misunderstanding will also incline and more and more elderly will engage in antisocial acts. However, we working adults can manage these problems by giving them the respect and love they deserve such as acknowledging their presence and giving them gifts in their special occasions like birthdays, mother’s day or father’s day. Also give them some task at home like babysitting their grandchildren or driving them and picking them up at their school. With these tasks, they will surely feel wanted and valued, and such acts will be avoided.
[ Written by – Rona Lyn Olivar ]
Sample Answer 3:
With the increasing medical facilities and new drugs for old diseases, the average life expectancy has increased in past few decades around the world. This can be more specifically seen in the developed economies where the increase is about 5 to 10 years in both male and female population.
Although it is a good news that doctors and scientist are able to find the cure for some of the fatal disease, both the individual and government need to plan carefully to face the challenges the increased life expectancy has.
Since longer life expectancy means additional expenditures, an individual needs sound financial planning so that he/she can retire with sufficient funds that will last until his/her death. This will help him/her to lead a happy retired life where he does not need to worry about his medical and other living expenses. The government needs to plan better regarding the social security benefits that a citizen will require one he/she stops earning or goes out of work due to age.
The country needs to develop more and better old age cares that can give the senior citizens a right to dignified living during the last phase of their lives. Medical practitioners and nurses who specialise in taking care of elderly people need to be in sufficient number to cope with the growing old age population.
In conclusion, not only the individual himself but also government and society need to be prepared to deal with increasing life expectancy and giving elderly people a happy and secure life in their last years.
[ Written by – Anmol Chawla ]