The document discusses aging and care for the elderly in Myanmar. It notes that the proportion of older persons (aged 60+) is increasing in Myanmar and is projected to reach 9.1% of the population. Current programs for older people include Homes for the Aged, a home care program supported by South Korea, and older persons' self-help groups. However, many older persons still rely on family for support, which can be lacking as adult children migrate away from rural areas. The government plans to approve a National Plan of Action on aging and develop an aging policy and laws to better support the needs and rights of older persons in Myanmar.

1. Presented by
Mr. Aung Tun Khaing
Deputy Director General
Department of Social Welfare
1
HelpAge International Asia-Pacific Regional Conference
on Aging (2012)
2012 May 8~11 Sedona Hotel, Yangon Myanmar
Care for the Aged in Myanmar

2. Country Profile
2
 Southeast Asia country
 Sharing border with China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh and
India
 Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal
 Area - 677,000 square km
 International boundary - 6151 km
 Coastal line – 2229 km
 Population – 59.37 m
 Population growth rate – 1.29%
 Estimated Older Population (above 60 ) is 5.46 Million
(9.1%)
 Older Person ratio -1:11

3. Demographic pattern in Myanmar
There is a rapid change in the structure of population in Myanmar
 The proportion of children reduces over time
 The proportion of people over 60 years of age increases
 There is a growth of the “older olds”, people over 80
 The majority of the older olds are women
 There is an increase in working-aged population

4. 4
Myanmar
Myanmar population (1975-2050)

5. Myanmar ageing
Good news!?– Higher life expectancy
 People live longer than previous generations
 People in Myanmar live now nearly ten years longer than 50 years
ago
In 1950 – 1955, 53 yrs.
In 2005-2012, 63.9 yrs.
In 2045 – 2050, 75.5 yrs.
 As health systems improved, then people will become healthier and
live longer

6. Pattern of population movement
 Like in other countries of Asia, there is extensive Migration
from rural to urban areas
 Also migration to other countries
 In many cases older people and children are left behind

7. The situation of older people
 Older people usually continue to work
 The majority of people do not retire nor have a pension
 In many cases, the aged stay at home, when they are frail,
looked after by their relatives
 But with less number of children and with more migration,
many people are staying alone

8. Current Programs for Older People
8
 Home for the Aged
 ROK-ASEAN Home Care Program
 Older people Self Help Group
 Rural Development on Ageing
 Health Care Project for OPs
 Day Care Centre (Pilot Study)
 Paid Home (Pilot Study)

9. Home for the Aged
9
 70 Homes for the Aged covering about 2300 older persons
 Provide rice, funds for food, clothes, salary of the
administrators.
 Technical assistance is also provided.

10. ROK-ASEAN Home care for the older people
10
First phase 2004 – 2006
 Pilot project 2 townships
 National YMCA
Second phase 2006 – 2009
 Expansion through DSW
 3 partners in 25 Townships
Third phase 2009 – 2012
 Delivery system of Home Care Activities continued
 Development of National Policy
 10 partner organization in 154 townships
(volunteers-16624, OP-16919)

11. Older People Self Help Groups (OPSHG)
11
 Target areas
 Upper Myanmar : 10 villages in Pyin Oo Lwin township, 8 villages in Pathein Gyi
Township Mandalay Region
 Lower Myanmar : 5 villages in Pathein township , 10 villages in Kan Gyi Daung
township, 18 villages in Kyaik Lat township, 10 villages in Shwe Thaung Yan
subtownship, Ayeyawaddy Region
 Yangon : 2 Wards in Dagon (East) Township
 Beneficiaries : about 20,000 OPs and their families
 Formation of OPSHG :Main Committee, Fund Raising Sub-Committee, IGV Sub-
committee, Health Sub-committee, Home Care Sub- committee, DRR Sub-committee
 OPSHG activities : Fund raising, Livelihood, Income Generation Venture, Health,
Home Care, DRR

12. Rural Development on Aging (RDA)
12
 Reducing Economic Vulnerability through an Equitable/ Inclusively
Approach to Livelihoods – REVEAL
 Target areas (Dry Zone)
 Mandalay Region : Ma Hlaing tsp (15 villages)
 Sagaing Region : Ayardaw tsp (15 villages)
 Beneficiaries : 10,000 OPs and their families
 Key Activities
 Livelihood support to household with older people (in kind & in cash)
 Home Care (Social Care)
 Health Care
 Income generation venture activities
 Disaster Risk Reduction
 Capacity Development to community

13. 13
Emergency Response to OPs in disasters affected areas
 Cyclone Nargis affected areas in
Yangon and Ayeyawaddy
Regions(2008)
 Cyclone Giri affected areas in Rahkhine
State (2010)
 Ta Lay Earth quake in Eastern Shan
State (2011)
 Magway Dry Zone flood in Magway
Region (2011)

14. Situation of Country conduct national integrated studies or
survey on aging
Sample Size: 4108
Coverage Township: 60
No of sample village/ward: 262
Age Group
60 to 69: M 927 + F 1045
70++ M 863 + F 1273
Total M 1972 + F 2136
% of Female OP in study: 60%
Data Collection Duration: March and April, 2012
Data Entry and Data Analysis: May 2012
Final Report: June 2012
14

15. Strategy on National Plans of ActionStrategy on National Plans of Action
 Income Security
 Health and Healthcare
 Natural Disasters and other Emergencies
 Security of care during periods of dependency
 Home and Environment
 Care and Support
 Education and Advocacy
 Monitoring and Evaluation
15

16. Future plan
16
 Approving the National Plan of Action
 Developing the National Committee on Ageing
 Developing aging policy
 Studying the International Perspective to develop the OP Law
 Improving the later life of OPs
 Strengthening the linkage with government organizations, civil societies,
non-government agencies and International communities for aging issues
 Implementing MIPAA more effectively
 Promoting the Social Pension measures for older people

17. 17
Thank you for your attention..
Towards asocietyforall ages!!Towards asocietyforall ages!!