In China, where the rising old-age dependency burden still largely falls on families, the onrushing age wave is giving rise to the "4-2-1 problem" — one child caring for two parents and four grandparents.
It has drastically reduced the fiscal resources that most countries have to accommodate rising old-age benefit costs, and at the same time it has left many elderly people more vulnerable.
At the other end of the demographic spectrum is Scotland's rising older population.
The availability of and burden on family carers are increasingly pressing concerns for public health given the rising old-age dependency ratio, increasing geographic mobility, changes in traditional family structures, urbanization and the growing participation of women in the labour market.
Like many other countries in the World, Ireland has a rising older population and this demographic shift has meant that older people are seeking placement in a variety of continuing care settings, such as nursing homes or community hospitals.
Over time, costs rise, old weapons wear out and the new ones may not even meet the nation's evolving needs when they are delivered.
When bond rates rise, older, low-interest-rate income securities fall in price, to raise their yields accordingly.
