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SCOTLAND'S OLDER POPULATION OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The evidence highlighted in these chapters provides a snapshot of Scotland's current older population. It highlights changing circumstances in later life and provides evidence from which to measure the impact these changes will have for Scottish society, its economy and of course older people themselves. It has identified that ageing brings with it:
- Changes in employment patterns and economic activity
- Changes in income and spending patterns
- Changes in health status
- Changes in use and mode of transport
- Changes in leisure activities
This snapshot of Scotland's older population has shown some of the challenges in terms of trends in health, receipt of care, income and housing that population ageing will bring, but it has also presented some of the opportunities arising from population ageing. It provides evidence and insights into the factors associated with making some of the changes and the importance in making successful transitions throughout the life course, which help to sustain active ageing. Furthermore it demonstrates the already high value contribution that older people make to the socioeconomic fabric of Scotland.
This analytical volume draws on a large body of evidence from Scotland and the UK to support its findings, but there are nonetheless important areas where the available evidence is weaker and more research and data may be required, in particular on labour-market effects of ageing, the contribution of older people to the economy and society and changing aspirations and demand for services among older people.
As discussed, the ageing of Scotland's population will have a profound impact across the spectrum of Scottish society. Based on the key trends highlighted in this volume, key implications for policy will be:
Changing Perceptions of Ageing
The ageing of our population will not only affect our older people but our whole population. The social and cultural meaning of age is being redefined and the expectations of our older population are changing. Tomorrow's older people are likely to retain many of the core values that they adopted in their younger years.
Healthy Ageing
Expectations of health care services are increasing and will continue to do so. Future cohorts of older people are likely to have higher aspirations and be more demanding than previous generations. To achieve optimal healthy life expectancy, lifestyle changes, and healthy related behaviours should start before birth and continue throughout the life course.
Flexible and Extended Working Lives
The growing numbers of older people choosing to work up to and beyond the current State Pension Ages will provide a reservoir of skills and experience for the Scottish labour market. Combating age discrimination will become increasingly important as older workers will make up an increasing share of the workforce. Choice, flexibility and autonomy will be key factors for older populations in the transition from work to retirement. A key issue will be greater flexibility, not only in terms of when retirement begins, but also in terms of combining employment with other roles such as caring or volunteering.
Lifelong Learning
Maintaining and extending skills and expertise will be important issues in securing the continuing place of older people in the workforce. The provision of life-long learning is likely, in future, to take more of a priority with employers, organisations and individuals and be increasingly integrated throughout the life course regardless of age. Employers will continue to seek to develop schemes which reskill and retain older employees.
Inclusive Communities
Housing, products, services and communities will need to cater for the increasing diversity of all age groups. This has implications for the designers of new homes and communities who will have to accommodate a wide range of expectations across the age groups. Community planners will have to take into account an older population that become more active and independent and demands greater control over their lives, while continuing to cater for the more vulnerable.
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