Professor Stanley Henry BEAVER 1907 - 1984 Dr. Linda Stanier, Division of Geography University of Derby UNIVERSITY of DERBY.

The Stanley Beaver Memorial Lecture

to the North Staffordshire Branch of the

Geographical Association

December 4th 2002

ProfessorStanley Henry BEAVER

1907 - 1984

Distribution and impact of

UK’s ageing population

Dr. Linda Stanier, Division of GeographyUniversity of Derby

UNIVERSITYof DERBY

Demographic ageing poses social, economic and political challenges, but the present and future predicted patterns vary spatially. This session examines the nature of these geographical patterns, with special reference to the UK and assesses the related impacts.

• Definitions and images of ageingDefinitions and images of ageing

• Patterns of ageing populationsPatterns of ageing populationsTemporalTemporalSpatialSpatialGlobalGlobalEuropeanEuropeanBritishBritish

• Implications / ImpactsImplications / Impacts- social- social- economic- economic- health- health- political- political

• ProspectProspect

Definitions of ‘old’Definitions of ‘old’

60 + for women60 + for women

65 + for men65 + for men ‘young elderly’‘young elderly’

75 + 75 + ‘old elderly’‘old elderly’

‘‘Retirement’ ageRetirement’ age

Contested nature of ageing. Socially constructed.Contested nature of ageing. Socially constructed.‘‘Meaning of old age changes over time and space.Meaning of old age changes over time and space.

“Old age can only be understood as a whole: it is not solely abiological but also a cultural fact.”

Simone de Beauvoir (1972)‘Old Age’ page 20

IMAGES OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

POOR FRAIL

SICK IMMOBILE

POORLY-HOUSED DEPENDENT

“Old age is not about birthdays.Nor is oldness any longer a synonym for illness.”

Eric Midwinter (1989)

IMAGES OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

ell ff lder ersons

et-setting ldies with oads of oot

“I don’t really care where it is going.”

Beatrice Muller, 82, who lives on the QE2 because it is cheaper than staying in an old people’s home in America.

Demographic trends: ageingDemographic trends: ageing

GlobalGlobal

EuropeanEuropean

BritishBritish

Source: Warnes (1982)

Source: Daniels et al. (2000)

http://www.uregina.ca/arts/geography/faculty/Li/GEOG200_7/

Source: Jackson (2000)

Ratio of over-60s to 15-to-60s in the United Kingdom

Source: Government Actuary’s Department.

Source: Allon -Smith (1982)

Source: Allon -Smith (1982)

Census 2001

For the first time, there are more people aged 60 or over inBritain, than there are children under the age of 16.

Number of people aged 85 and over:

1951 0.2 million2001 1.1 million500% increase.

1951 2001

Proportion under 25% 20%16 years

Proportion over 16% 21%60 years

Spatial patterns of proportion of persons aged 65 years + (M) and 60 years + (F) (Census, 2001)

Christchurch (Dorset) 33%

Rother 32%

East Devon 30%

West Somerset 29%

Tendring 29%

Arun 29%

East Dorset 29%

West Dorset 28%

Eastbourne 27%

Spatial patterns of proportion of persons aged 85 years +(M & F) (Census, 2001)

Worthing 4.6%

Source: Phillips and Bartlett (1995)

Source: Phillips, A.D.M.(1993) The Potteries: continuity and change in a north Staffordshire conurbation

• Social implicationsSocial implications

• Economic implicationsEconomic implications

• Health implicationsHealth implications

• Political implicationsPolitical implications

Social Implications

• Feminisation of ageing societies

• Care responsibilities

• Mobility / migration trends

- ageing of labour migrants- migration by older people

• Physical, social exclusion

• Volunteering

Economic Implications

• Retirement age

• Age discrimination

• Material resources - housing

• Pensions

• Grey market

Health Implications

• Links between agencies

• Access to care

• Diversity of needs

Political ImplicationsPolitical Implications

Grey electoral powerGrey electoral power

Grey voteGrey vote

LobbyingLobbying

Myths ?

• Ageing is a permanent trend

• More old people mean an exponential rise in ill health and in dependency

• Ageing populations hinder economic growth

Prospect

• An asset

• More flexible approach towards retirement

• Home working

• Volunteering

• Articulate pressure group

• Targeted policies

• Link between agencies