Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers
Publication year:
2015
Pagination:
44
Place of publication:
London
This review on the demography of ageing and the role of local government focuses on the main opportunities and challenges posed by population ageing for policymakers at the local level, and the ways in which such opportunities and challenges might be addressed. The report discusses the characteristics of population ageing in the United Kingdom, using key indicators which are currently used in this area and pointing to the role of local government in safeguarding and improving the well-being of individuals across the life course and particularly in later life. It discusses the current understanding of what constitutes healthy ageing and considers the concept of need, and its measurement for academic and policy purposes. The report examines the importance of independent living and choice
(Edited publisher abstract)
This review on the demography of ageing and the role of local government focuses on the main opportunities and challenges posed by population ageing for policymakers at the local level, and the ways in which such opportunities and challenges might be addressed. The report discusses the characteristics of population ageing in the United Kingdom, using key indicators which are currently used in this area and pointing to the role of local government in safeguarding and improving the well-being of individuals across the life course and particularly in later life. It discusses the current understanding of what constitutes healthy ageing and considers the concept of need, and its measurement for academic and policy purposes. The report examines the importance of independent living and choice in housing arrangements in later life, and the challenges posed in this area by changing family forms and living arrangements in the United Kingdom, looking at the potential of innovative solutions such as tele-care and tele-medicine. A final section brings together evidence on the well-being and quality of life enjoyed by individuals across the life-course and in later life, drawing on different dimensions of well-being, such as economic and social well-being, and outlining the challenges associated with promoting well-being at the local level.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, local authorities, independent living, wellbeing, telecare, telehealth;
Families, Relationships and Societies, 3(1), 2014, pp.113-130.
Publisher:
Policy Press
Place of publication:
Bristol
This article explores how the timing of parental divorce within a child's lifecourse can influence the obligations they feel to care for their parents later in life. The majority of studies have suggested that parental divorce that occurs earlier in a child's life will have the most detrimental effect on their filial obligations. Drawing on life-history interviews with 23 midlife participants in Southampton (UK) the authors challenge this contention by demonstrating how midlife experiences of parental divorce have weakened adult children's relationships with their parents, and explore how this may impact on their future willingness to provide care. The research also demonstrate how deteriorating marital relations have resulted in some older parents 'living together apart' and becoming socially withdrawn, which has weakened relationships with their midlife adult children who, as a result, expect to feel less willing to care for their parents in the future. These findings are presented within the context of rising divorce rates in older age groups and an informal care gap in the UK.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article explores how the timing of parental divorce within a child's lifecourse can influence the obligations they feel to care for their parents later in life. The majority of studies have suggested that parental divorce that occurs earlier in a child's life will have the most detrimental effect on their filial obligations. Drawing on life-history interviews with 23 midlife participants in Southampton (UK) the authors challenge this contention by demonstrating how midlife experiences of parental divorce have weakened adult children's relationships with their parents, and explore how this may impact on their future willingness to provide care. The research also demonstrate how deteriorating marital relations have resulted in some older parents 'living together apart' and becoming socially withdrawn, which has weakened relationships with their midlife adult children who, as a result, expect to feel less willing to care for their parents in the future. These findings are presented within the context of rising divorce rates in older age groups and an informal care gap in the UK.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing and Society, 24(5), September 2004, pp.771-791.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
This article reports research funded as part of the recent ESRC Growing Older initiative. The project ‘Family, Work and Quality of Life’ explored changes in economic and social roles across four birth cohorts passing through mid-life (45–59/64 years) in Britain. The relationship between multiple role responsibilities and a range of indicators of quality of life, including material resources, health and engagement in social activities were investigated. The research was based upon secondary analysis of four different surveys: the 2000 British Household Panel Study, the 1994–95 Family and Working Lives Survey, the 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2000 General Household Surveys, and the longitudinal Retirement Survey (1988/89 and 1994). A particularly interesting finding is that being ‘caught in the middle’, in terms of having simultaneous care-giving responsibilities to dependent children and frail parents whilst in paid work, has been atypical. Only one-in-nine British women, and one-in-ten British men, aged 45–49 years (born in 1941–45) occupy all three roles concurrently, but multiple role occupancy is increasing across cohorts, particularly the combination of caring and paid work. Role occupancy significantly affects the accumulation of pension entitlements (particularly second-tier pensions), with the effect that many women who have fulfilled the important social roles of carer and parent will face a low income in old age. Where adverse health outcomes were found, parental role in mid-life was most frequently associated with such poor health, suggesting that continued parental demands in mid-life may have negative health consequences.
This article reports research funded as part of the recent ESRC Growing Older initiative. The project ‘Family, Work and Quality of Life’ explored changes in economic and social roles across four birth cohorts passing through mid-life (45–59/64 years) in Britain. The relationship between multiple role responsibilities and a range of indicators of quality of life, including material resources, health and engagement in social activities were investigated. The research was based upon secondary analysis of four different surveys: the 2000 British Household Panel Study, the 1994–95 Family and Working Lives Survey, the 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2000 General Household Surveys, and the longitudinal Retirement Survey (1988/89 and 1994). A particularly interesting finding is that being ‘caught in the middle’, in terms of having simultaneous care-giving responsibilities to dependent children and frail parents whilst in paid work, has been atypical. Only one-in-nine British women, and one-in-ten British men, aged 45–49 years (born in 1941–45) occupy all three roles concurrently, but multiple role occupancy is increasing across cohorts, particularly the combination of caring and paid work. Role occupancy significantly affects the accumulation of pension entitlements (particularly second-tier pensions), with the effect that many women who have fulfilled the important social roles of carer and parent will face a low income in old age. Where adverse health outcomes were found, parental role in mid-life was most frequently associated with such poor health, suggesting that continued parental demands in mid-life may have negative health consequences.
Subject terms:
older people, pensions, quality of life, surveys, ageing, carers, families, employment, health needs;
Examines the social and economic circumstances of the ageing baby boomer generation and the impact they will have on society. Explores issues around: employment, finance, health, health and social service provision, housing, social security, and future policy options.
Examines the social and economic circumstances of the ageing baby boomer generation and the impact they will have on society. Explores issues around: employment, finance, health, health and social service provision, housing, social security, and future policy options.
Subject terms:
income, housing, older people, planning, policy formulation, population, retirement, social policy, social care provision, ageing, benefits, community care, demographics, employment, health, health care;