an artgicle by Sara Alidoust (Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia) and Caryl Bosman and Gordon Holden (Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 7 (July 2019)
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on creating age-friendly cities to accommodate the changing needs of older people and to promote their overall health and wellbeing.
This paper focuses on some of the urban planning implications related to maintaining the social health, as a main component of overall health and wellbeing, of older people. Specifically, we look at the role and accessibility of third places (popular public places where many people go to socialise) in relation to older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns, and how these factors impact on the formation of absent, weak and strong social ties.
The data draw upon interviews with 54 older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Our findings demonstrate the significant role third places have in affording older people opportunities to engage in the social lives of their local communities, thus contributing to their social health and overall wellbeing.
This research supports previous studies relating to the accessibility of amenities by re-emphasising the importance of planning for the provision of third places that are conveniently located and easily accessible by older people.
The paper concludes by arguing for the planning of transport and third-place interventions in Australia's sprawling suburban landscapes to allow older people more opportunities to be socially connected.
Hazel’s comment:
I can relate to this. I can no longer get a bus that takes me to the public library so I rarely, if ever, visit it.
Showing posts with label ageing_population. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ageing_population. Show all posts
Friday, 28 June 2019
Saturday, 14 April 2018
More migrant workers needed to offset ageing population, says IMF
an article by Richard Partington published in the Guardian
Fund’s report advises advanced economies against greater controls on migration
Annual EU migration to Britain fell by 75,000 in the year to September, according to ONS figures. Photograph: David Wootton/Alamy
The International Monetary Fund has said advanced economies such as Britain, the US and Japan risk being overwhelmed by their ageing populations, and calls on them to throw open their borders to more migrant workers in response.
Within the next few decades, working-age adults will need to support double the number of elderly people than they do now, putting immense pressure on welfare systems and wiping out as much as 3% of potential economic output by 2050, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook report.
The Fund’s comments come as the number of migrant workers arriving in Britain from Europe is already in sharp decline following the Brexit vote almost two years ago, and as populist parties in many western countries push their governments to curb immigration.
The analytical chapters of its report, published on Monday, said: “Dramatic shifts in demographic structure projected in advanced economies could overwhelm the ability of policies to offset the forces of ageing.
“[This] underscores the need to rethink migration policies to boost labor supply in advanced economies.”
Without government intervention, the IMF said the current labour force participation rate, which estimates the number of people eligible for work who are in employment, could fall by as much as 5.5% on average across advanced economies over the next 30 years.
Continue reading
I wish I could find the graph I saw a while back which showed clearly how the number of people in the working population was declining as people passed from working to retired.
Fund’s report advises advanced economies against greater controls on migration
Annual EU migration to Britain fell by 75,000 in the year to September, according to ONS figures. Photograph: David Wootton/Alamy
The International Monetary Fund has said advanced economies such as Britain, the US and Japan risk being overwhelmed by their ageing populations, and calls on them to throw open their borders to more migrant workers in response.
Within the next few decades, working-age adults will need to support double the number of elderly people than they do now, putting immense pressure on welfare systems and wiping out as much as 3% of potential economic output by 2050, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook report.
The Fund’s comments come as the number of migrant workers arriving in Britain from Europe is already in sharp decline following the Brexit vote almost two years ago, and as populist parties in many western countries push their governments to curb immigration.
The analytical chapters of its report, published on Monday, said: “Dramatic shifts in demographic structure projected in advanced economies could overwhelm the ability of policies to offset the forces of ageing.
“[This] underscores the need to rethink migration policies to boost labor supply in advanced economies.”
Without government intervention, the IMF said the current labour force participation rate, which estimates the number of people eligible for work who are in employment, could fall by as much as 5.5% on average across advanced economies over the next 30 years.
Continue reading
I wish I could find the graph I saw a while back which showed clearly how the number of people in the working population was declining as people passed from working to retired.
Saturday, 31 March 2018
Attitudes towards immigration in an ageing society: Demographic evidence from Japan
a column by Hiroyuki Nakata for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
Many advanced economies are facing the twin challenges of an ageing population and public hostility towards immigration. This column studies the impact of demographics on attitudes towards immigration in Japan, and the effectiveness of information campaigns explaining the benefits of immigration. It finds that information campaigns are effective in improving attitudes towards immigration, especially amongst women. Deep generational gaps in attitudes towards immigration may be caused by younger men in particular viewing immigrants as potential competitors.
Continue reading
Many advanced economies are facing the twin challenges of an ageing population and public hostility towards immigration. This column studies the impact of demographics on attitudes towards immigration in Japan, and the effectiveness of information campaigns explaining the benefits of immigration. It finds that information campaigns are effective in improving attitudes towards immigration, especially amongst women. Deep generational gaps in attitudes towards immigration may be caused by younger men in particular viewing immigrants as potential competitors.
Continue reading
Friday, 8 December 2017
Drivers of pension reform measures in the OECD
a column for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal by Roel Beetsma, Ward Romp and Ron van Maurik
Population ageing means that many current pension regimes are unsustainable, but the timing of pension reform measures is a political as well as an economic decision. This column uses new data on OECD pension reforms since 1970 to show that their timing has not been driven by projected demographic developments or political change, but by the state of the economy at the time when reforms were legislated. Pension systems have expanded more frequently during booms, and have contracted during economic downturns.
Continue reading and discover that proper planning based on fact does not exist. Did I ever think it did? Probably not having spent 22 years on "the other side of the counter". What was the point of gathering all those statistics if the end result is chaos?
Population ageing means that many current pension regimes are unsustainable, but the timing of pension reform measures is a political as well as an economic decision. This column uses new data on OECD pension reforms since 1970 to show that their timing has not been driven by projected demographic developments or political change, but by the state of the economy at the time when reforms were legislated. Pension systems have expanded more frequently during booms, and have contracted during economic downturns.
Continue reading and discover that proper planning based on fact does not exist. Did I ever think it did? Probably not having spent 22 years on "the other side of the counter". What was the point of gathering all those statistics if the end result is chaos?
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Extending working lives: age management in SMEs
an article by Vanesa Fuertes, Valerie Egdell and Ronald McQuaid (Employment Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, UK) published in Employee Relations Volume 35 Issue 3 (2013)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of age management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data collection and exploratory research with six SMEs comprising of: initial interviews with representatives from the SMEs; action research activities designed to raise awareness of age management issues and age discrimination legislation; and follow-up interviews to ascertain if awareness raising activities resulted in any changes, or planned changes, in policy, practice and attitudes towards older workers.
Findings
Good practice in age management can be found in SMEs, but was not found to be part of a systematic strategy. Negative practices and attitudes towards older workers are observed, with positive and negative age stereotypes coexisting. Negative stereotypes displayed can undermine the perceived economic value of older workers. There may be a gap between policy and practice, but awareness raising campaigns that reach employers can influence existing ways of working by showing the benefits of an age diverse workforce and helping reduce prejudices against older workers.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small and context specific. However, the study usefully illustrates different approaches to age management policies and practices in SMEs, and the potential benefits of age management awareness in influencing attitudes and practices towards older workers in SMEs.
Originality/value
The experience of age management in SMEs is under researched and examples of good practice in age management are often drawn from large organisations. The paper highlights that SMEs often lack the resources to seek advice regarding age management; therefore, those responsible for age management awareness raising activities may need to approach businesses directly.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of age management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data collection and exploratory research with six SMEs comprising of: initial interviews with representatives from the SMEs; action research activities designed to raise awareness of age management issues and age discrimination legislation; and follow-up interviews to ascertain if awareness raising activities resulted in any changes, or planned changes, in policy, practice and attitudes towards older workers.
Findings
Good practice in age management can be found in SMEs, but was not found to be part of a systematic strategy. Negative practices and attitudes towards older workers are observed, with positive and negative age stereotypes coexisting. Negative stereotypes displayed can undermine the perceived economic value of older workers. There may be a gap between policy and practice, but awareness raising campaigns that reach employers can influence existing ways of working by showing the benefits of an age diverse workforce and helping reduce prejudices against older workers.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small and context specific. However, the study usefully illustrates different approaches to age management policies and practices in SMEs, and the potential benefits of age management awareness in influencing attitudes and practices towards older workers in SMEs.
Originality/value
The experience of age management in SMEs is under researched and examples of good practice in age management are often drawn from large organisations. The paper highlights that SMEs often lack the resources to seek advice regarding age management; therefore, those responsible for age management awareness raising activities may need to approach businesses directly.
Monday, 11 March 2013
Housing-related Well-being in Older People: The Impact of Environmental and Financial Influences
an article by Joan Costa-Font (London School of Economics and Political Science) published in Urban Studies Volume 50 Number 4 (March 2013)
Abstract
With the ageing of populations in Europe, one can expect new pressures on the existing housing stock to accommodate those older individuals with mobility problems; at the same time, housing assets are expected to be called upon to guarantee financial security for older home owners.
The accessibility and suitability of housing, and the financial security that housing provides, may exert an independent influence on well-being; to what extent either factor prevails in influencing well-being has important policy implications.
This paper empirically examines the impact of investment and environmental housing influences on satisfaction with housing in a population of older people.
Data are used from the European country which had the greatest number of home owners at the time of the survey (Spain), and where at the same time older people rely heavily on informal care-giving. Robust evidence is presented to suggest that satisfaction with housing in old age is indeed independently associated with environmental influences.
Although home-ownership does improve well-being related to housing, home equity does not exhibit a significant and independent effect.
Abstract
With the ageing of populations in Europe, one can expect new pressures on the existing housing stock to accommodate those older individuals with mobility problems; at the same time, housing assets are expected to be called upon to guarantee financial security for older home owners.
The accessibility and suitability of housing, and the financial security that housing provides, may exert an independent influence on well-being; to what extent either factor prevails in influencing well-being has important policy implications.
This paper empirically examines the impact of investment and environmental housing influences on satisfaction with housing in a population of older people.
Data are used from the European country which had the greatest number of home owners at the time of the survey (Spain), and where at the same time older people rely heavily on informal care-giving. Robust evidence is presented to suggest that satisfaction with housing in old age is indeed independently associated with environmental influences.
Although home-ownership does improve well-being related to housing, home equity does not exhibit a significant and independent effect.
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
International and European policy on work and retirement: Reinventing critical perspectives on active ageing and mature subjectivity
an article by Thibauld Moulaert (Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium), Simon Biggs (The University of Melbourne, Australia) and Thibauld Moulaert (National Fund for Scientific Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium) published in Human Relations Volume 66 Number 1 (January 2013)
Abstract
In this article, the authors critically examine themes that have become associated with work and retirement in the context of demographic change.
Two discourses are looked at in detail, those of ‘active’ and ‘productive’ ageing, with a focus upon International and European social policy.
Drawing on the work of Foucault and others, the emergence of a dominant discourse and its effects on policy-based understandings of ageing are examined.
A new orthodoxy of ageing subjectivity is identified, restricting the social contribution of older adults to work and work-like activities. A subtext refers to the co-option of liberal gerontological priorities into new and socially rigid forms of identity that legitimize particular ways of growing old.
The authors conclude that a radical re-positioning, inspired by mature identity, is required to rely less upon economically determined roles and more upon alternative grounding in existential life tasks and experience to give space for a ‘mature subjectivity’ and a desirable ‘mature subject’.
Abstract
In this article, the authors critically examine themes that have become associated with work and retirement in the context of demographic change.
Two discourses are looked at in detail, those of ‘active’ and ‘productive’ ageing, with a focus upon International and European social policy.
Drawing on the work of Foucault and others, the emergence of a dominant discourse and its effects on policy-based understandings of ageing are examined.
A new orthodoxy of ageing subjectivity is identified, restricting the social contribution of older adults to work and work-like activities. A subtext refers to the co-option of liberal gerontological priorities into new and socially rigid forms of identity that legitimize particular ways of growing old.
The authors conclude that a radical re-positioning, inspired by mature identity, is required to rely less upon economically determined roles and more upon alternative grounding in existential life tasks and experience to give space for a ‘mature subjectivity’ and a desirable ‘mature subject’.
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