SECURING A HEALTHY FUTURE
The ageing population of Europe, government reforms and how we can individually help to maintain our healthy lifestyles.
Due to the rising age of the population Europe needs more reforms to be able to cope with increasing health related costs.
“European Union governments need to step up reform efforts in the face of rapidly ageing populations. The scale of the demographic challenge is immense. There is a continuous increase in life expectancy which means Europe will go from having four to only two people of working age for every elderly citizen by 2050. Public finances will come under severe strain due to increased spending on pensions, health and long-term care.” Brussels, 2006.
The consensus has been that all European countries need more reforms to be able to cope with the raising age-related costs. Therefore several countries have curtailed access to early retirement schemes and have made reforms to their pension systems. Thus enabling them to have better control over future public spending pressures however this is not at present across the board.
"While the process of an ageing population cannot be turned around, the consequences for prosperity and sustainability lie in the hands of governments and modern welfare systems" said European Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia. From the European commission.
A new study, which was discussed by EU finance ministers, shows that the pension, health and long-term care costs linked to an ageing population will lead to significant increases in public spending in most Member States by 2050 on the basis of current policies, although there is a wide degree of diversity across countries.
The following are the main findings:
- the working-age population (15 to 64) is projected to fall by 48 million (or 16%) by 2050 whereas the elderly population aged 65+ will rise sharply, by 58 million (or 77%);
- ageing will lead to significant increases in public spending. For the EU as a whole, public spending is projected to increase by about 4 percentage points between 2005 and 2050, mostly concerning public spending on pensions and health care
- significantly in half of all EU15 Member States, pension reforms are also expected to lead to an increase in average retirement ages and higher employment rates of older workers.
The unique quality of this report was that it was produced jointly by the Commission and Member States within the Economic Policy Committee. It thus provides comparable estimates of the budgetary impact of ageing whilst taking into account the very different national pension, health care and education systems.
The Health care commission report LIVING WELL IN LATER LIFE. This is a review of the progress from the national service framework looking at the older person’s perspective and what is important to them, in their quality of life.
As there is an increasingly ageing population, there is a need for policy makers and those who plan and deliver public services to consider the impact of ageism and to take action to address this what ever European country you are in.
Strong themes that ran through much of the existing research on the priorities of older people were these:
• making a contribution, and being seen as a valuable member of the community
• tackling ageism and having a voice.
• services that are well coordinated.
• a comfortable, suitable home.
• a safe neighbourhood that has all the most important amenities.
• getting out and about.
• having useful, enjoyable ways of spending time – relationships, social networks, leisure and learning.
• a decent income.
• information about what is available.
• keeping healthy, and having access to good quality care services if they are needed.
Key messages from the government’s national service framework for older people, published march 2001 as a 10yr programme included:
Older people said that spending time with others is an important part of maintaining an active life. Such support and self help groups help to promote the wellbeing of older people.
Although not everyone was interested in becoming involved formally with local groups and organizations, many helped family members, friends and neighbours through informal arrangements, emphasizing the importance of interdependence.
There is a growing interest in the wider wellbeing of older people, with services such as leisure and culture playing an increasingly important role.
Due to improved medical and hygienic care and healthier lifestyles, people in Europe are living even longer. Overall, life expectancy has clearly risen in the last 40 years, by 8 years for men (from 67.3 years to 75.6 years today) and for women over the same period by just under 9 years (from 73 years to 81.8 years today). Another increase of 6 years for men and 5 years for women is projected by the year 2050.
This development has implications for the number of the very old (over 80 years). Their share of the total population will nearly triple by the year 2050, from 4.1 percent today to 11.4 percent. This will massively alter the generational structure.
The other side must also be taken into account: loneliness, sickness, and above all the need for care will increase with the size of the over- 80 population. Overall at present the material security of seniors in Europe is still relatively good, some old age poverty does exist however it is felt that strategies do need to be developed today to avoid extensive old age poverty in future.
Although most predictions assume that life expectancy will continue to increase, this assumption can be challenged; risk factors such as smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity increase the risk of life expectancy. Independent of whether life expectancy continues to increase or not, it is likely that these growing risk factors will increase the time people spend in poor health. Measuring healthy life expectancy is therefore important. An ageing population in good health will limit the pressure on health systems and on carers and will increase the contribution to society made by older people through paid or voluntary work. Therefore reducing morbidity, or ill health, in the ageing population is a vitally important aim for a health policy. If health can be improved, there is great potential for achieving the two aims of reducing pressure on health and social care systems and increasing economic prosperity.
One of the key challenges for the EU is to demonstrate to Member States, through dissemination of research and best practice, how to invest in health through health systems and health promotion in order to avoid future increases in health expenditure by reducing preventable disease and therefore enabling people to remain active and participate in society for a longer period of time.
The continuing rise of new technologies is a factor that may drive future health expenditure in relation to demographic change. Although technology can lower unit costs of providing more efficient treatment, it also increases the availability of treatments and makes new treatments available for more people. Technology can lower the demand for health care if early or less invasive interventions improve health and lower future health care needs, and technological improvements are also often associated with improvements in quality. Alternatively, technology can increase future health care needs by increasing the lifespan of people with chronic or multiple health conditions.
Regardless of where you live, age or finances it is vitally important that each individual considers their own health. (It was recently reported in the local press, that 1,000 people in Andalucia are aged 100 or older.)
Without realising it poor health can have a dramatic effect on future government finances for health and social care which in turn may have a negative affect on future health services.
It is our responsibility to be aware of our health and to take steps to be healthier.
Consider attending well person clinics, attend regular check ups at your local health centre be aware of health promotion.
We can all play a small part to ensure good health care services in the future.
