Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/337883
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JUNE 2014 11 'kartanzjan' (ID card for the elderly). Dr Formosa acknowledges that, for practical reasons, some form of cat- egorisation has to take place. "Of course you cannot be so philo- sophical to reason that old people don't exist at all, so let's dismantle everything. Let's not be too post- modern. But at the same time, when we speak of 'the elderly', it places the entire spectrum of 60+ people into the same box. The reality, however, is that 'the elderly' is an extremely heterogenous group… they have dif- ferent needs, different aspirations. You cannot reduce them to a single label." The new name, on the other hand, encompasses a far-reaching change in policy outlook. "If you had to narrow down the basic rights of older people to one term, it would be 'active age- ing'. It means three things. The right to work – and with it, the right to an adequate income, adequate pension, etc. - then the right to social partici- pation, and the right to independent living. Active ageing encompasses all three of these things. Even if you are bedridden you still have, not only a right, but also the potential to be an active ager…" Active citizenship is therefore one key goal of the Faculty of Social Wellbeing. "We want to treat older people as people and citizens first, rather than as just 'older'." But while the issue has been dis- cussed at length in public consulta- tion meetings and in parliament, Marvin Formosa expresses concern that the wider public seems to be unprepared for the changes that will become necessary in the future. "In my opinion, we are underesti- mating the problem. I think we are not paying enough attention to the implications of ageing. There is not enough discussion, not enough pre- occupation. Even if we look at what has been discussed over the last 15 years regarding pensions… yes, there were talks, working groups were set up… even today, things are happen- ing. But the way I see it, there is not enough impetus. What I am most afraid of is that there will be a water- shed moment: I don't want to alarm people, but… things are changing. The ratio of workers to pensioners is decreasing. In 15 years' time there will be two workers for every 60+ person. Whether we like it or not, how we do social policy also has to change." Interview By 2050, the over-60s will outnumber the younger generation by five to one. Gerontologist Dr Marvin Formosa advises preparation for a very different reality ahead The end of the world as we know it THINGS ARE CHANGING I don't want to alarm people, but… things are changing. The ratio of workers to pensioners is decreasing. In 15 years' time there will be two workers for every 60+ person. How we do social policy also has to change PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD