Mariana López Ortega, INGerLuis Miguel Gutiérrez Robledo,

INGerLiliana Giraldo, INGer

Contextualizing health and aging in Mexico: an opinion nationwide survey

Objective Present study results of perceptions on

ageing in Mexico. Present study results of perceptions on

family, health and well-being by different age groups.

Present challenges for health and social care policies.

Reflect on alternatives for care and support for older adults and their families.

Los mexicanos vistos por sí mismos. Los grandes temas nacionales.

Data comes from three surveys included in the project: Mexicans viewed by themselves. The major national issues.

These project was carried out by the Area of Applied Research and Opinion at the National Autonomous University, UNAM and included the participation of 93 researchers and 48 research assistants from multiple institutions.

The main objective was to present a view of the countries’ main problems, know their extension and modalities within our society from the perceptions of its people.

The project applied 25 surveys to “…try to paint a map of the country, based on people’s belief systems, their needs, expectations and wishes” (Narro Robles, 2015).

Surveys include: human rights, justice, public safety, adolescents, migration, indigenous populations, religion, education and employment, among other relevant issues.

http://www.losmexicanos.unam.mx/

Coordinators:Luis Miguel Gutiérrez Robledo

Liliana Giraldo Rodríguez

Authors:Marcela Agudelo BoteroLiliana Giraldo RodríguezCésar González González

Mariana López OrtegaRaúl Hernán Medina Campos

César Luis Cárdenas Varela

National Ageing Survey

Studies included

National Family Survey

Coordinator:Carlos Welti Chanes

National Health Survey

Coordinator:Malaquias López Cervantes

SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS ON AGEING

RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL AGEING SURVEY

National perceptions on ageingAmong the sample, there is a prevalence of ambivalence

in attitudes towards ageing and older adults.

Deterioration Wisdom

Negative stereotypes seem to influence most spheres of every day life of older adults: household arrangements,

work and have an impact on their quality of life and overall well-being.

Please tell me how much you agree/disagree with the following statements:

Older adults stop learning new things

Older adults have worse hygiene than younger people

Older adults have less friends than younger people

Older adults have less interest in sex

Most older adults have lost their independence

Health status of older adults is bad

Many older adults suffer memory loss

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

36.2

45.0

46.0

49.3

53.3

60.2

73.1

20.8

20.0

19.2

18.6

19.9

18.9

14.3

39.6

33.9

32.8

19.5

25.1

20.1

11.8

3.4

1.1

1.9

12.7

1.7

0.8

0.7

Agree Nither agree, nor disagree Disagree DK/RF

Please tell me how much you agree/disagree with the following statements:

Young people work better than older adults

Older adults have less abilities to solve problems

Older adults are less productive

As we grow older we lose interest in things

Older adults are like children

Older adults lose their temper easily

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

43.4

43.6

43.9

56.2

62.3

65.1

21.7

21.6

23.8

17.9

18.8

19.6

33.3

32.3

30.1

24.4

17.9

13.5

1.6

2.5

2.2

1.5

1.0

1.8

Agree Nither agree, nor disagree Disagree DK/RF

In which of the following places* do you think older adults suffer discrimination because of their age?

*Percentage answering yes

Tourism

Sports

In their own home

In thier access to education

In their access to health care

In their access to professional training

In their access to financial products and services

At work

When looking for a job/work

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

36.1

43.9

47.6

51.1

54.5

54.7

57.8

80.2

86.4

PERCEPTIONS ON THE CONDITIONS OF THE ELDERLY

IN MEXICO

Why do you think older adults work*?

To feel useful and productive

Because they are poor

Lack of economic resources

To have their own money and being independent

They are used to it

Lack of support from their family

To contribute to the household income

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

27.3

20.3

12.8

11.7

6.9

4.3

3.3

*Percentage answering yes

In your family, has any older adult suffered from any of the following?

Psicolo

gical

abus

e

Physic

al ab

use

Neglec

t

Econo

mic ab

use

Sexua

l abu

se

Some t

ype o

f mist

reatm

ent

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

31.6

19.0

13.711.8

2.2

37.3

*Percentage answering yes

When older adults lose their independence and need others to support them, how much do you

agree with the following statements?

The State has to be in charge of care and support

Mainly the State, but the family should participate

Mainly the family, but the State should participate

Families have to be in charge of care and support

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0

33.4

36.7

56.2

44.3

29.3

28.3

20.7

27.7

24.7

20.4

18.0

19.7

3.9

5.3

2.2

3.3

7.8

8.0

1.3

3.0

Agree Somewhat agree Niether agree, nor disagree Somewhat disagree Disagree

Older adult’s access to infrastructure and services: What is available in your neighbourhood?

Transport services

Sidewalks with side/balance bars

Areas for gathering and events

Home health care

Ramps and disability free access

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

11.5

11.8

16.6

20.2

26.1

84.8

85.5

77.4

75.7

71.6

Yes No

PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER ADULTS REGARDING HEALTH

AND FAMILY ISSUES

RESULTS FROM:

• NATIONAL FAMILY SURVEY (ENCUESTA NACIONAL DE FAMILIA)

• NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY (ENCUESTA NACIONAL DE SALLUD)

What type of family do you consider the ideal and would you aspire to form part of?

Source: National Family Survey.

15 -24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

77.8

67.3

71.1

71.3

67.3

72.5

9.4

11.2

14.2

14.0

17.3

12.1

1.4

4.4

3.6

3.3

1.5

4.8

1.1

1.3

0.5

1.4

0.6

2.3

8.1

14.1

9.5

9.0

13.1

1.7

Mother, father and children One with multiple generations Two mothers or two fathers and children Parents with no chldren

There is no ideal type

Currently, which do you think is the main problem that Mexican families have?

15 -24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

42.1

40.6

42.3

41.0

31.4

36.1

3.7

4.5

5.7

4.7

8.7

9.2

6.4

6.0

2.1

6.0

19.0

6.1

13.4

16.6

18.4

20.8

15.2

11.3

9.4

11.8

9.3

7.9

7.2

6.8

19.2

12.6

13.5

12.3

11.0

19.4

5.0

4.6

7.9

5.0

6.3

8.4

.46

.35

.23

1.32

.30

Economic AuthorityDrug addiction Intra-family violenceInsecurity and violence in society Lack of time to spend with the familyLack of time of parents spent with children Difficulties to solve health problems in the family

Source: National Family Survey.

In your opinion, what does a person look for when deciding to form a family?

Source: National Family Survey.

15 -24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

25.8

25.6

28.5

22.4

42.8

37.3

24.9

31.4

30.2

30.1

14.9

29.0

6.3

9.3

8.3

9.5

15.5

9.8

8.9

9.1

9.6

7.4

11.8

11.8

32.1

23.1

21.7

29.9

14.7

9.4

To have children To have company Economic stability Support Love

In general, how would you rate your health?

Source: National Health Survey.

15 -24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

20

40

60

80

100

2.0 1.9 1.3 0.9 2.2 0.8

3.0 5.2 7.3 7.4

17.7

42.9

14.7

21.3

27.9

40.7

41.5

24.6

51.5

57.549.5

40.3

33.4

28.228.6

14.1 13.810.7

5.2 3.5

Very poor Poor Neither good nor bad Good Very good

In general, how do you consider your quality of life is?

Source: National Health Survey.

15 -24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1.7 1.6 1.3 0.9 2.02.6 2.3 4.5 6.9 7.8

29.119.3 21.0

32.536.7

50.9

28.2

56.464.5

54.449.9

34.8 42.0

20.010.3 5.2 5.7 4.4 0.3

Very poor Poor Neither good nor badGood Very good

How satisified are you with your life?

Source: National Health Survey.

15 -24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

20

40

60

80

100

9.6 6.1 8.0 5.3 5.3 4.8

8.811.0

13.610.2 13.0

27.59.2 11.1

12.717.0

20.9

16.031.5

35.5

37.5 44.836.9

30.7

41.036.3

28.022.5 23.9 19.3

Totally unsatisfied Moderately unsatisfied Neither satisfied nor unsatisfiedModerately satisfied Totally satisfied

How much would you say you enjoy your life?

Source: National Health Survey.

15 -24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

20

40

60

80

100

1.7 1.6 1.6 2.0 1.7 0.74.3 5.2 6.3 6.9

12.726.0

10.6 7.1

20.627.1

38.1

34.0

38.4 45.8

42.1

40.5

21.7

22.044.7 39.9

27.323.5 24.8

15.9

Nothing A little Moderately Mostly Completely

MAIN CHALLENGES

Challenges posed by negative ageing & old age stereotypes

Fight, social and labour discrimination against older adults as well as in service provision.

Mistreatment and abuse.

Still scarce interest in support of older adults.

Lack of/ inadequate infrastructure and resources –physical & financial.

Insufficient health and social care professionals.

Most care is done by the family with little or no formal support: Few exceptions-Mexico City.

Lack of policies aimed at promoting wellbeing in old age and prevention strategies: physical and mental health.

WHICH ALTERNATIVES?

To change paradigms towards ageing

• Whole population, all ages, on the importance of achieving an active and healthy ageing.

Increase awareness and educate

• Older adults so they demand their rights, take responsibility of themselves and participate actively in society. Empower

• All older adults in society, work, politics, education and training, etc. • NO discrimination.Inclusive

• Older adult’s human rights.• From subject of “attention” to subject of all human rights.

Protect

• Programmes and services to support older adults and their needs today and coming generations.Plan

• To introduce an “ageing perspective” as cross-cutting issue for all policies and strategies.

Alternatives• In a context of rapid ageing in adverse economic conditions and weak

institutions, older adults are in high risk of being social and financially vulnerable new thinking about policies is needed.

• Developing intergenerational strategies that establish as starting point: What do people need to live in the best possible conditions?

• Intergenerational strategies are vehicles that enable determined and continued exchange, sharing and learning experiences between generations and individual benefits for society.

• To establish new social roles that reflect changing expectations and strategies to end negative stereotypes towards ageing and older adults.

• State as coordinator, regulator and supportive of current strategies already in place carried out by families, friends, and voluntary-civil society organizations.

THANK YOU

mlopez@inger.gob.mxlmgutierrez@inger.gob.mxmgiraldo@inger.gob.mx