Global ageing

This chapter focuses on four aspects of global ageing of importance to geographical gerontology. It outlines the patterns and diversity of global ageing. It covers impacts on older people in emergency situations across the world. The chapter lays out global climate change issues and health of older people. It also discusses effects of selected contemporary socio-technological trends, such as increased mobility and interconnectedness for older people. The chapter further presents a necessarily selective view of some important issues for older persons, families and communities. As in emergencies, older persons' risks from climate change have physiological, psychological and social components, and some people may be exposed to multiple vulnerabilities from the overlapping of events. Overall, it is apparent that social and economic resources will strongly affect how well individuals and families can cope with climate change and weather-related events. Those with good economic resources and strong family networks are likely to do relatively well.