Ageing and end of life

Here we consider issues relating to Muslim elders across a number of overlapping domains in keeping with the holism of Islam. First, the current demographic trends in ageing are set out in respect of fiscal and care-related pressures placed on that provision. In the following section ageing is examined from within the Qur'anic frame of reference and in so doing provides the crucial religious context from which to discuss appropriate and sensitive care of elderly Muslims. When considering Muslim communities, ageing and age-related issues, a dual perspective is required where first, it is important to view older Muslims as part to the general ageing population - as many age-related issues affect all groups of older people. Yet it is equally important to consider them as a sub-group of minority ethnic (ME) or racialised communities, because the interaction of age with social structures and systems is analysed and researched in terms of ethnicity and national origin, rather than faith affiliation. The long history of Muslim ME migration to the UK, taken in consideration with the development of national social policy for health and social care provision, provides useful insights into the issues and implications of providing religio-cultural appropriate care in western multicultural, multifaith societies. In common with most developed nations the population of the UK is ageing and projections suggest an increase in the median age as well as in the proportions of older people in the population (ONS, 2015). Alongside the increase in the number of older people, reflecting the ageing of the 'baby boomer' generation, people are also living longer - at least in the western hemisphere - with an increase in those over the age of 85 years.