Aeging Population And Social Policy

Question 1

The ageing population

Answer 1

• In the UK there is currently an ageing population
• Low death rates and low birth rates means that the UK’s population no longer resembles the traditional ‘population pyramid’ as less babies being born and a increase in life exp
• The dependency ratio is problematic
• Donald Hirsch (2005) people will need to retire later and pay more tax

Question 2

Peter Townsend 1981

Answer 2

• Suggested that old age is a social construct and society has enforced helplessness and dependency on older adults, rather than it being a biological inevitability
• Key impacts of an ageing population on families and households include:
• Families have to find money for care costs, etc. themselves, rather than having them funded by the state
• Older adults may have to sell their homes to pay for care, meaning the next generation does not receive and expected inheritance

Question 3

Evaluating the ageing population as a major problem

Answer 3

• Increasingly older adults are a prosperous section of society (the grey pound). Blaikie says that older adults are consumers and have disposable income and leisure time to spend
• High net migration can help resolve the problem of an increased dependency ratio, bringing in more working-age adults
• Pilcher 2010 suggests that the problems are really difficulties of social policy, rather than demography. The issue is not old people, but poor old people- often women. If social policy can reduce inequality and discrimination against women, then ageing population would be less of a problem

Question 4

Problems an ageing population may face

Answer 4

Increased economic/income uncertainty, relying on family members to support them, relying on health care services, increase in widows as women live longer than men meaning they could face loneliness and also less money, unable to live on their own so must live with family or care homes which take up time and money

Question 5

Social policies that could affect ageing population

Answer 5

Increase in retirement age, as health care is improving older people are staying healthier and fitter for longer meaning they are still able to work. This would provide them with an income and also something to do rather than relying on family members (often women) to support them.

More funding into NHS for older people is a negative thing as it takes up a lot of money which could increase tax. It also could be seen as delaying a death of an older person rather than preventing which makes them a burden. Could take away important focus from child health care or general health care. Also increases the dependency ratio.

12.5% of households is a one person pensioner house. This is where one older person is living in a hosue. Often they keep the house where their children grew up which is unsustainable as it is not needed. It can often get run down as it is too big for them to sort out and also reduces the amount of houses in the market for families who really need it. A trade down scheme could be introduced to help prevent this and also support an older person financially.