The centrality of spirituality and spiritual care in person-centered rehabilitation for older adults

Abstract

The significant increase in life expectancy represents one of humanity's most notable collective achievements. Driven by advancements in health care, as well as social and economic development, mortality rates, particularly among older populations, have declined substantially, enabling most people worldwide to live well into their sixties and beyond. At the same time, factors such as urbanisation, higher education and access to family planning have led to smaller family sizes and fewer births, resulting in fewer children in many countries. Consequently, the number of individuals aged 60 and above is increasing, and they are now outnumbering younger people, resulting in population ageing.

The ageing population is evident across many regions, including Europe and Malta. In the European Union, the percentage of people aged 65 and over is projected to increase from 25.4°/o in 2008 to 53.5°/o by 2060.3 Similarly, according to the 2021 census in Malta, an increasing elderly population and a declining birth rate were indicated, leading to a projected rise in the proportion of older individuals in the coming years. [excerpt]