Ageing population
Life expectancy in the UK is rising and birth rates are falling, leading to an ageing population. The dependency ratio (the number of economically active workers per dependent) is falling. The UK workforce is also ageing.
What are the implications?
- Increasing pressure on the funding of public services.
- Individuals are expected to cover more of their own care and health costs.
- Increasing the cost of state pensions; consequently, retirement ages are expected to rise.
- Immigration is now important to keep many services going. (See global population movements)
- Increasing strain on the relationship between younger and older generations and the burden of supporting retirees rises (see social fragmentation).
- Older people are more likely to vote than younger people and this age group is seeing increasing political influence (known as the "grey vote").
- Pensioner poverty will increase without changes to pensions and retirement (see socio-economic inequalities)
Moving forward
Pensioner poverty, and the growing political power of pensioners, will present both challenges and opportunities to VCOs working with older people.
As social cohesion between generations becomes more important, voluntary and community organisations may be looked to bring young and old together (known as building bridging social capital).
- What can your organisation do to encourage social cohesion?
The ageing population will put pressure on various sources of incomes. As people live longer, they will be expected to pay for more of their own health and social care costs, possibly reducing legacy income. The ageing population will also put pressure on the funding of public services, which may reduce the amount available for VCOs, especially those not providing core services.
- What strategies can your organisation put in place now to manage potential future changes in funding?
- Can you diversify your income sources or work in partnership with other organisations?
As the workforce ages and retirement ages rise, employers will need to offer more flexible work and ensure that older people are not discriminated against.
- Can your organisation offer more flexible working to attract older people who still want to work part time or who want to combine volunteering with a longer working life?
A larger pool of active workers also presents an opportunity to VCOs with recruitment difficulties.
- How can you encourage the ‘baby boomer’ generation that they can put their skills to use in a different way in your organisation while staying active at the same time?
Want to know more?
Published by: Office for National Statistics - a Government Department
Date: 2005
Format: PDF
What is it? A detailed statistical report on people aged 50 and over in the UK today.
How useful is this? A good source of statistics on characteristics, lifestyles and experiences of people over 50 in the UK. The report covers: living arrangements; housing; labour market; health and well being; health and social care; income, wealth and expenditure; and lifestyle. As the report is very detailed you may find the summary is sufficient.
Other comments:
The age agenda 2008: public policy and older people (Age Concern, 2008)
Published by: Age Concern (a charity that promotes the well-being of older people)
Date: 2008
Format: PDF
What is it? A report identifying key policy concerns of particular relevance to older people.
How useful is this? This is the 5th edition of 'The Age Agenda' and as in previous editions aims to give a clear outline of the major policy concerns. Acknowledging the recent progress made on pension reform, the report now emphasises the need to develop a coherent and sustainable system of social care. The report also contains focused articles on areas such as older voters and retirement migration.
Other comments:
Active ageing in active communities: Volunteering and the transition to retirement
Published by: The Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a research and development charity
Date: 2005
Format: PDF
What is it? This report uses qualitative research to examine the practical and policy issues around the role of older volunteers.
How useful is this? This report examines the role of volunteering in the transition from paid work to retirement. The introduction provides a background on ageing population, reasons for volunteering and government policy. The following chapters explore practical issues and policy debates including: volunteering and the transition to retirement; volunteer recruitment and how to overcome barriers; management of older volunteers; benefits of older volunteering; and looks at possible future trends.
Other comments:
Intergenerational Programmes: An Introduction and Examples of Practice
Published by: Centre for Intergenerational Practice (a membership organisation promoting intergenerational practice)
Date: 2006
Format: PDF
What is it? A set of case studies illustrating intergenerational practice.
How useful is this? This report presents twenty seven case studies illustrating voluntary sector intergenerational practice in a variety of contexts. The case studies typically give a description of the activity, an outline of the approach and an informal assessment of the outcome. The case studies are mostly not supported by outcome statistics but many do include a discussion of what worked and what could be improved.
Other comments:
Discuss
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