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Welcome to For All Humans. The name Jean Calment may not be familiar to you. Jean, a French woman, is certified as the oldest person to have lived, passing away on August 4, 1997, at the age of 122 years and 164 days. Aging populations are now a global phenomenon, with human beings, especially in the developing world, living longer. It is increasingly common to see people thriving into their 70s and beyond. In Japan, there is even a growing group of supercentenarians—those over the age of 110.
According to the Office of National Statistics, a third of babies born in 2013 in the UK are expected to live to see their 100th birthday. This global trend of lower mortality rates is due to medical advances, improved quality of life, and expanding economies. While longer lives reflect a modern, advanced society, it is not without its challenges.

What specific issues does an aging population present? Why might demographic change be seen as one of the defining issues of our time? What are the responsibilities of family or the state? What is the duty of care toward the elderly, especially those living in poverty? And what challenges will healthcare systems face as they serve aging populations?
In 2015, there were around 901 million people aged 60 and over worldwide, representing 12.3% of the global population. By 2030, this will rise to 1.4 billion or 16%, and by 2050, to 2.1 billion or 21.3%. Populations in developed countries have aged most rapidly, but projections show the proportion of older people will increase worldwide. Europe, Japan, and North America will have some of the oldest populations, with significant increases also expected in China, America, and Latin America, according to the World Health Organization.
It’s clear that care for the elderly will require a global approach. As reaching an advanced age becomes common, what will be the effect on our attitudes toward the elderly? Is there a divide between Western and Eastern perspectives on aging? And what role does culture play in shaping our views on the elderly?
Looking at East Asian societies, we see that they are influenced by Confucian values of filial piety and ancestor worship, which promote positive views on aging and high regard for elders. This is deeply ingrained in Korean society, where younger family members have a duty to care for older family members, showing respect for their wisdom and place as decision-makers and heads of households.
India is another country where filial piety remains essential. Here, the traditional joint family system, or samyukta kutumb, has its roots in the belief of Dharma, where elders are seen as heads of the family and respected for their wisdom. In Indian households, elders play an active role in family matters, including conflict resolution and life-changing events such as marriage proposals.
Although respectful treatment of the elderly is a dominant narrative in Eastern cultures, it would be presumptive to generalize all Eastern cultures as universally reverential to the elderly. Cultural practices vary widely, and not all can be classified as either East or West.
For example, in China, traditional filial obligations are undergoing a shift due to the one-child policy, rising life expectancy, and the increasing Westernization of its population. In contrast, the elderly in the Chukchi tribe in northern Russia may choose voluntary death when they are too old or infirm to contribute to the community. While unusual from a Western perspective, this act is considered heroic in their culture, securing a place in the afterlife.
Western approaches to aging and the elderly, however, lack the codified respect found in many Eastern cultures. Aging in the West is often viewed as a decline, and elderly individuals are frequently confined to nursing homes. This can lead to psychological effects such as isolation and disenfranchisement. In contrast, youth is celebrated, as seen in advertising and media, where the elderly are often invisible.
In the UK, elderly care remains a critical issue, with concerns over the strain on the National Health Service, funding cuts for social care, the toll on caregivers, and reports of abuse in care homes. Recent controversies included a proposal to include family homes in means-testing for at-home care, potentially requiring the sale of family homes to cover care costs.
Islam provides a holistic approach to caring for the elderly, seeing it as a moral, religious, and social duty. Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of honoring the elderly. For instance, a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructs Muslims to take advantage of youth before old age. Islam values the entire life cycle, giving attention to birth, youth, and old age alike. Allah says in the Qur’an, “It is Allah who created you from weakness, then made after weakness, strength, then made after strength, weakness and white hair.” This understanding encourages viewing aging as a natural, God-given process.
Islam teaches that respecting the elderly earns God’s pleasure and instills respect between generations. According to an authentic hadith, “If a young man honors an elder on account of his age, God appoints someone to honor him in his old age.” Islam assures the rights of the elderly and mandates the care they deserve, linking the worship of God with kindness to parents.
Beyond family obligations, Islam encourages the community to prevent isolation and foster an active lifestyle for the elderly. For example, the communal Friday prayer provides social engagement for seniors, offering them a presence and voice within the community.
For All Humans believes there is much the West can learn from Islam’s approach to elderly care. The social contract between the young and old remains strong in many Muslim societies, where residential care is seldom the first option. The Islamic view on elderly care is based on divine commandments and religious teachings, linking spirituality with the dignity and respect owed to the elderly. Islam’s comprehensive approach ensures that individuals and society alike fulfill their moral and spiritual responsibilities toward the elderly, creating a support system that upholds the dignity and respect of aging individuals.
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