Attempting to define middle age is not easy even if most people would agree that this term covers those aged in their 40s and 50s. One thing is for sure – middle age characteristics are changing. Many in this age bracket resent having to take on increased responsibilities when in their youth they dreamt of early retirement to live comfortably while touring the world.

We still do not have a comprehensive active aging strategy

The UK government commissioned a report by the Foresight group of scientists, led by chief scientific adviser John Beddington, to identify the changing social trends among middle-aged people in British society. The study entitled Future Identities highlights “the end of traditional age identities as pensioners become healthier and younger adults find it harder to buy their own home”. Many of the findings of this report would apply to our own society, even if I know of no similar studies made in Malta.

Some of the Future Identities findings were quite predictable. The British population is aging and, although people are living longer, the quality of life is not necessarily improving. “For many people aged 65 and over, wellbeing is seen as being able to continue to do the things they have always been able to do. For the affluent middle classes, a comfortable and leisured ‘early’ old age can be enjoyed while health lasts. However, this will not be the case for all, as many people will lack the financial resources needed to achieve this level of comfort and security”.

The report also proposes new life stages terms to replace the traditional terms childhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and old age as they are outdated. There are new age-based social categories, including emerging adults – those who have left school but have still not moved out of parental home – typically 20-34; and full adults – those who have left home, have a long-term partner and probably children – often delayed to late 30s.

The sandwich generation includes those in middle age who are caring for ailing parents while financially supporting their adult children who may still be living with them. Older adults is a term used to describe people between 60 and 75 who remain healthy and active and keep on living as they have done even if they have left work. Old-age adults are people over 75, many of whom are frail and suffering from poor health.

A close reflection of what most of us know is happening in our society will confirm that our middle-aged people are facing similar challenges to those living in other EU countries. It is a fact that most young people are finding it increasingly difficult to fly the nest and are delaying long-term commitments to live with their partners until much later in life.

This is partly the result of economic realities like the phenomenal increase in property prices in the last two decades. Were it not for the ‘bank of mum and dad’ most of our young people would find it impossible to put their feet on the first step of the property ladder.

So mum and dad have to keep working for as long as they can to support their children’s finances and at the same time continue to provide them with free board and lodging for much longer than was the case up to a generation ago.

The sandwich generation is burdened with another responsibility that is getting more onerous as life expectancy is increasing. Many middle-aged people – especially women – now have to care for their parents who are living longer, but are often too frail to support themselves in their own homes while most do not afford to live in good quality retirement homes.

The Future Identities report draws a very sensible conclusion: The growth in the “sandwich’ generation, who have responsibilities for both childrearing and elderly care, has implications for social policy as this group may demand greater recognition and, potentially, assistance, financial and otherwise”.

My concern is that we still do not have a coherent and comprehensive active aging strategy. Public opinion is only made aware of our deteriorating demographics when rating agencies like Fitch classifies Malta among the EU countries with the most serious demographic problems.

From time to time, initiatives are taken to support older people. But this cannot obviate the need for a holistic strategy for active aging. Like other simmering problems that we have put on the back burner, a time will come when our demographic problems will boil over.

johncassarwhite@yahoo.com