An ageing workforce

[In the first of a two part series, we look at some issues raised by a recent talk on an ageing New Zealand.]

I was one of many who attended a recent talk by Judith A Davey organised by Ruth Dyson on “Preparing for the Future in an Ageing New Zealand”. It was an incredibly enlightening and thought provoking talk focusing on four things that individuals and communities can and should be doing to prepare for the future.

Sustainability in the labour force

This means finding ways for an ageing generation to say in the workforce. 40% of New Zealand’s workforce is current 45+ years and most are not completely retiring at 65 years, rather they are staying in employment and downing their hours for a more relaxed lifestyle from full time work to part time. This is certainly something employers can help with!

For example, if a company only does its accounts or archiving once a month for five days then this would be a great opportunity for an older employee to take up, especially when the younger workforce is more likely to want a full time role.

It also promotes acceptance among both younger and older work groups, that is when they are make to work together both age groups can learn from each other, the younger groups can teach the older groups how to use current technology and the older groups can teach the younger groups what procedures work when that current technology fails for whatever reason (to name just one example).

Supports for ageing "in place"

When we use the words “in place” we mean where one already lives and/or having the ability to decide where one wants to live in the later stages of their lives. Having the right support to do so is of high importance.

The New Zealand 85+ age group is the fastest growing group we have and 80% of this age range live in the community in mainstream housing, that is, unsupported housing. Surprisingly 1/3 of men and 2/3 of women live alone.

New Zealand has a real need for more sheltered housing, which is where someone can live independently for as long as they can and be gradually moved into higher level care as and when they need it, thus causing much less undue stress on the said individual.