Abstract
This paper examines ageing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a focus on intergenerational support systems. Although the UAE’s population is relatively young, the absolute number and proportion of older adults (60+/65+) are growing as life expectancy rises and the demographic structure gradually ages. The UAE government has responded with a national policy for senior citizens, expanded social-welfare and home-care services, and investments in geriatric health infrastructure; emirate-level health authorities have recently developed standards for long-term and palliative care. Family-based care and respect for elders remain central cultural norms, shaping expectations that children will support parents. However, demographic shifts, labor migration, and changing family forms are placing new pressures on family care and increasing demand for institutional and professional services. Non-governmental organizations (including the Red Crescent and local charities) and a growing private sector of nursing homes and geriatric providers now play complementary roles — filling gaps in social programming, providing community activities, and operating specialist long-term care — while regulatory frameworks (federal and emirate) are evolving to ensure quality and standards. The paper synthesizes available demographic data, policy documents, health-system developments, and research on cultural attitudes to outline strengths, structural gaps, and policy recommendations: strengthen community and home-based care, harmonize regulatory safeguards for long-term care, invest in workforce training for geriatrics, and promote intergenerational programs that preserve cultural values while adapting to modern family realities,
Presenters
Nasria DarwishHead of the Administrative Committee, Emirates Society for Parents Care & Relief– Dubai Branch, The Emirates Society For Parents Care & Relief, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Medical Perspectives on Aging, Health, Wellness
KEYWORDS
AGEING, UAE, GOVERNMENT POLICY, CULTURAL VALUES
