Kids are now outnumbered by the over-60s How to ensure that older people can increasingly play an active role?

Question

Children are outnumbered by the over-60s in Britain for the first time ever, official figures show

In the latest sign of the UK's ageing population, the Office of National Statistics revealed 13,262,256 people were 60 or over in mid-2007

That was up from 12,928,071 the previous year, while the number of under-18s fell from 13,119,654 to 13,111,023 over the same time period

The disclosure came as it emerged that the population of the UK grew by nearly two million between 2001 and 2007

The Office of National Statistics said the number of people in Britain reached 60,975,000 by the middle of last year, up 388,000 on mid-2006

Mervyn Kohler, special adviser at Help the Aged, said the figures were "cause for celebration" and would have implications for policymakers as older people became increasingly more important.

"The key task for policy makers going forward is to ensure that older people can increasingly play an active role in our ageing society"

MORE a year+ on: inc me!

Answer 1

Good question. Employers need to be enlightened and it is no longer acceptable to write anyone over 35 off as unfit for a regular job.

Over 60s get tired more quickly, so the long hours no lunch culture needs to be discredited and everyone allowed to pace themselves.  Burn-out benefits nobody.

The idea the young have of the grumbling geri needs to be updated, and much greater communal activities encouraged between young and old.  Old people can be cool.  The old Benedictine monk who brought me into the Catholic Church was a great hit with youngsters.  Whatever they proposed, he would beam with delight and say "wonderful" and then give them the benefit of his wisdom on their terms.

Answer 2

more over 60's than under people under 18.  how frightening.  over 60's isn't the problem, but over 75's is.  how many can still live independantly?  More old people will put a strain on the NHS.  Whats the point in people living longer if they have no quality of life and cost a fortune to look after?  ok, so not all old people are like that, but there are many, many care homes packed with pensioners uncapable of looking after themselves.

Answer 3

Well I am eighty three and still going strong. I always said that to sit back at sixty five and do nothing is fatal. I have done Voluntary work since I was sixty five , to help older people than what I am myself. I also take an interest in joining groups, and I am about to join another in September.It helps you get to know people who have different interests and then the clubs organise trips , outings, Christmas, Parties, going out to Dinner in the New Year etc. If you sit in the house all day it makes you morbid to the point, that you get cranky and you shun away anyone who comes to visit you. We are now trying to organise a Cruise for next year and that should be great. Do not be on your own then blame others for it.

Answer 4

The baby boom of 1949 had nothing to do with the end of the second world war.

It was the result of the introduction of the National Health Service and the Social Security system in July 1948 which gave people an assured health service and benefits for having children (Family Allowance, now Child Benefit)

Answer 5

That's what happens when you legalize abortions without thinking about the consequences. At the same time health care for the elderly has improved (at least for those with insurance). This creates a situation where there are fewer and fewer people being born to take over the responsibility of funding social security. Once that happens it gets more and more expensive to maintain. A shrinking population eventually leads to a shrinking economy. Troubling times are ahead for sure.  

Answer 6

Well I wish I could join you and be as productive as you lowjoy but I'm afraid I forfeited my 80,000 + pension when I was forced to stay home and raise kids.

I'll be lucky to see $1,000 a month and should I stay married till retirement maybe I will actually still have a roof over my head...16 years to go so we'll see what happens there.

As for the question, it's not just the UK there sweets...it's everywhere.  I don't think neither government, health care, housing, recreation...any of it, is gearing up to handle the load of aging baby boomers.

Most people I am sure would prefer to retire if they could, but many more would love to work and have a productive life still.

It would be nice to see new businesses and housing and new communities bear all this in mind.

Unless you want an overburdened crisis of seniors needing assistance when they could likely manage quite well in great retirement communities, they'd better come up with more and more housing for seniors and jobs for seniors, and specifically assisted living centers for those who aren't quite ready for a nursing home or long term care facility.

I think they're too slow to move on all of this frankly.