With the increasing quality of healthcare, many countries around the world are experiencing an aging population. This leads to a change in the demographic composition of the elderly and young people of a population. This means that there is a decrease in fertility rates with an increase in the number of elderly people (over 65). Therefore, the average age of the population is increasing. According to the WHO, “this aging population can be seen as a success story for public health policies, but it also represents a challenge for society to adapt, in order to maximize the health and functional capacity of older people, as well as their participation and social security". The UK is considered to have an aging population (2013: 10 million over 65s in the UK); some may perceive this to have negative consequences due to several factors: for example, many argue that an aging population puts pressure on public health services. On average, those over 65 spend 9 nights compared to an average of two nights a year for the rest of the population. Additionally, older adults are more likely to have comorbidities, so they visit doctors more frequently. They are also more likely to need companions to help them with some daily activities. This therefore puts a strain on social care services. The immediate issues here concern costs and how much the government pays for each individual over the age of 65. In developing countries, elder care is seen as a family responsibility. However, in developed countries where the nuclear family is more common, responsibility for the elderly has now been transferred to professionals. For many now the question is: should care be provided by the government or should seniors and their families pay the full price? An era...... middle of paper...... of vaccines. In this module I hope to understand the challenges of an aging population as it is an issue in the UK. I hope that in the future as a pharmacist I can significantly contribute to increasing the healthy life expectancy of the elderly. The pharmacist's role in the aging population is critical to helping older adults contribute to the economy. As a pharmacist, you must be able to understand the different services available to older adults to enable active aging. As well as understanding common conditions associated with age such as Alzheimer's disease, to help patients manage the condition and enjoy life longer. Finally, awareness of clinical considerations in older adults is essential. Pharmacists should collaborate with other healthcare professionals to meet the needs of patients enabling them to live long and healthy lives.