Daoist Longevity and the Aging Society

The achievements of modern medicine in the treatment and detection of diseases, alongside the improvement of social welfare provision, have resulted in the significant reduction of premature deaths caused by the insufficient medical treatment and poor nutrition. Greater numbers of people are living longer. This continued grow of the elderly population (people over 65) and the proportionally smaller younger generation now characterizes our society. Whatever the benefits of longevity, an aging society presents its own problems. For governments these include increased costs in the form of medical spending, social care, and social welfare, a diminishing labor market, and, in general, a lack of vitality, energy and creativity in society. How to counter these newly emerging challenges has become a serious concern for many scholars, organizations, and governments. However, a solution may be found in the traditional Chinese self-help practices that are part of Daoism.