aarp international THE

JOURNAL2016

Reweaving the Fabric of Society

FINANCIAL RESILIENCE HEALTH SECURITY LIVABLE COMMUNITIES BUSINESS OF AGING Age-Friendly Vision for Taiwan A Legacy of Care A New Measure of Seeing a Need for Change Jobs for Korean Boomers Surprising Effects of Ageism Age-Friendliness Improving Retirement Retirement Careers for Women The Under-Connected Age-Friendly Indicators: Readiness Ecosystem of Elders A New Guide Heyday for Older Koreans Brain Health Re-Framing Issues in Aging The EU Covenant THEJOURNAL featured contributors / 2016 PRINT EDITION

Catherine Collinson Lilian Myers David Rothkopf President, Transamerica Institute, Leader, Apple + IBM Global Aging CEO and Editor, The FP Group Executive Director, Aegon Center for Industry Portfolio Longevity and Retirement David J. Rothkopf oversees all editorial, Lilian Myers leads IBM’s Aging product publishing, events, and other operations Catherine Collinson is President of portfolio in the Apple+IBM Partnership of the company, which publishes Foreign Transamerica Institute, a nonprofi t, program announced in 2014. Lilian joined Policy magazine. He is also the President private foundation dedicated to IBM following 25 years of executive and CEO of Garten Rothkopf, an conducting research and educating responsibility for products, marketing, international advisory company based the public about on retirement, health strategy, and internationalization in in Washington, DC. coverage, and other relevant fi nancial healthcare technology, ecommerce, and issues facing Americans today. With health insurance companies. two decades of retirement industry experience, she has become a nationally Hannah J. Swift recognized voice on retirement trends. Centre for the Study of Group Phumzile Mlambo- Processes, School of Psychology, Ngcuka University of Kent Benjamin Hong UN Under-Secretary-General and Hannah J. Swift is a research fellow at the CEO, Cigna Korea (LINA) Executive Director, UN Women School of Psychology, University of Kent. Her research focuses on ageism, attitudes Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka brings a Ben Hong has successfully led years of to age and age stereotypes, and it has been wealth of experience and expertise to business growth and expansion as an disseminated widely to academic and her position, having devoted her career innovative market leader. He brings policy audiences. She is a core member of to issues of human rights, equality 30 years of diverse, multinational EURAGE, which contributed to the design and social justice. She has worked in business experience in the fi nancial and analysis of the “Ageism” module in the government and civil society, and with services industry, including Sun Life European Social Survey. the private sector, and was actively Financial, MetLife, and Prudential, with involved in the struggle to end apartheid a primary focus on the global insurance in her home country of South Africa. marketplace. Tom Wright Group CEO, Age UK Anne-Sophie Parent Mao Chi-kuo Prior to joining Age UK, Tom Wright Secretary General, Premier, Executive Yuan, was CEO for nearly 7 years of AGE Platform Europe Republic of China (Taiwan) VisitBritain, the National Tourist Board, Anne-Sophie Parent is Secretary General promoting Britain around the world. Mao Chi-kuo is the current Premier of the of AGE Platform Europe, a EU network He has a marketing and commercial Republic of China (ROC). Before entering representing directly 40 million people background having worked on such politics, he pursued an academic career. aged 50+ across the EU-28 which she has brands as KP, Anchor and Carlsberg. He held various government posts before been leading since 2002. Tom was awarded a CBE in 2007. becoming Minister of Transportation and Communications in 2008. Laurence Rossignol Alex Wynaendts Minister of State for Family, CEO, Aegon Henry Kim Childhood, Elderly People and Chief Operating Offi cer, Adult Care, France Alexander R. Wynaendts is CEO Senior Partners Inc. and Chairman of the Executive and In April 2014, Laurence Rossignol Management Board of Aegon, a leading Henry Kim joined Senior Partners Inc. was nominated by the Prime Minister provider of life insurance, pensions in 2007 after a career at major securities Manuel Valls to be part of his and asset management operating in fi rms (Daewoo and Kyobo) in various government. She received her more than 20 markets internationally. marketing roles. He is an expert in life- current appointment in 2015 and is Appointed to his current position in long learning, working to enhance the committed to reforming policies for 2008, he has spent over 30 years in quality of life of Korean seniors. the elderly in France. international fi nance and insurance. 12 feature MILLENNIALS SHAPE AGING Paul Irving IIff ddemographyemography iiss ddestiny,estiny, tthenhen mmillennials,illennials, ccurrentlyurrently iinn Chairman, Center for the Future of Aging, ttheirheir latelate teensteens toto mid-30s,mid-30s, wwillill iinheritnherit tthehe cchallengeshallenges aandnd Milken Institute oopportunitiespportunities ooff a rrapidlyapidly aagingging wworld.orld. WWithith iitsts ccreativityreativity aandnd abilityability toto tackletackle ccomplexomplex pproblems,roblems, tthehe mmillennialillennial ggenerationeneration ccouldould bbee tthehe oonene ttoo ssolidifyolidify nnewew iideasdeas aandnd nnormsorms ttoo iimprovemprove llongeronger llives.ives.

40 health security A LEGACY OF FFoundedounded iinn 11995995 oonn tthehe iinitiativenitiative ooff HH.M..M. QQueenueen SSilviailvia ooff SSweden,weden, thethe nonprofinonprofi t foundationfoundation StiftelsenStiftelsen SilviahemmetSilviahemmet CARE sseekseeks ttoo iimprovemprove tthehe qqualityuality ooff llifeife fforor ppersonsersons aaffectedffected bbyy dementiadementia aandnd fforor ttheirheir ffamilies.amilies. HHerer MMajestyajesty ddiscussesiscusses H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden hherer wworkork tthroughhrough SilviahemmetSilviahemmet aandnd tthehe legacylegacy sshehe hhasas hhelpedelped achieveachieve tthere.here.

80 business of aging SEEING A NEED FOR CHANGE Neil Blumenthal WWarbyarby ParkerParker isis a ttransformativeransformative llifestyleifestyle bbrandrand tthathat ooffersffers ddesigneresigner eeyewearyewear aatt a rrevolutionaryevolutionary pprice.rice. TheThe company’scompany’s co-co- Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Warby Parker ffounderounder aandnd cco-CEOo-CEO sshareshares hhisis tthoughtshoughts onon thethe importanceimportance ooff ssocially-consciousocially-conscious businessesbusinesses likelike WarbyWarby ParkerParker iinn ccreatingreating positivepositive changeschanges fforor ppeople,eople, iincludingncluding thethe elderly,elderly, aallll ooverver tthehe wworld.orld. in this issue

40 59 80

FINANCIAL RESILIENCE 45 59 Surprising Effects of Ageism A New Measure of 28 Addressing the Negative Age-Friendliness Age-Friendly Vision Consequences of Age Stereotypes AARP's New Livability Index for Taiwan by hannah j. swift by jana lynott An Interview with Premier Mao Chi-Kuo of the Republic of China 49 63 The Under-Connected Age-Friendly Indicators: 31 Ecosystem of Elders A New Guide Jobs for Korean Boomers Using Technology to Turn Assessment and Monitoring are The Baby Boom Generation Faces Crisis into Opportunity Key in the New WHO Guide to Challenges in an Aging Korea by lilian myers Age-Friendly Communities by henry kim by megumi kano and paul rosenberg 54 36 Brain Health Retirement Careers AARP Launches New Global 65 for Women Collaborative Re-Framing Issues in Aging Meeting Expectations for Post Work Life by sarah lenz lock A Framework in the UK Helps Cities by catherine earl Develop Age-Inclusive Programs by sophie handler 39 56 Global Innovations Collaboration on 67 Age-Friendly Banking De Hogeweyk: An Innovative by bradley schurman "Dementia Village” in the Case Studies in Aging Netherlands Insights into Global Age-Friendly Needs HEALTH SECURITY LIVABLE COMMUNITIES 74 40 58 The EU Covenant A Legacy of Care Evaluating Age-Friendly A European Network Supports An Interview with H.M. Queen Progress Around the World Age-Friendly Goals Silvia of Sweden by natalie turner by anne-sophie parent

2 78 DEPARTMENTS & FEATURES 96 Global Innovations 5 Untapped Opportunity HenPower: Using Animal-Assisted From the Editor in Aging Therapy to Engage Seniors Older Workers — the Ultimate Answer to America’s “Retirement Problem” 8 by david rothkopf BUSINESS OF AGING A New Vision for Living and 80 Aging in America 98 An Excerpt from the Forthcoming Seeing a Need for Change Book, Disrupt Aging The Future of Warby Parker’s Successful by jo ann jenkins Accessibility Innovation Mission-Driven Business Model Winning Entry from the FP Global Helps Older People Everywhere Demographics Student Essay Contest by neil blumenthal 12 by fi lip borovsky Millennials Shape the 84 Future of Aging 100 Improving Retirement Teens to 30-Somethings Are Uniquely Poised to Revolutionize The Promise of Aging Readiness Reweaving the Fabric of Society the Aging Experience Greater Longevity Makes by paul irving by debra b. whitman Retirement Reform a Necessity by alex wynaendts and catherine collinson 16 104 Challenges Facing Spotlight: Kirk Douglas 88 Older Women Heyday for Older Koreans Addressing the Pressing Need for Global Gender Equality and Cigna Korea Creates a New 50+ Women’s Empowerment Membership Program by benjamin hong by phumzile mlambo-ngcuka

90 19 Growing Older in Australia Shifting the Aging Business Opportunities Abound Paradigm in an Aging Australia The French Government is Deeply by philip taylor and Committed to Improving the Lives michael o’neill of its Aging Citizens by laurence rossignol

92 About the Cover: Realizing the The AARP Innovation Fund 23 promise of aging requires no less than Spurring Private-Sector The Nonprofi t Sector reweaving the fabric of society. The Investment in Innovative in an Aging World string represents the idea of recasting Products and Services How Nonprofi ts Are Working to our outlook and approach to aging. The by scott frisch Solve the Aging Challenge head is symbolic of both the individual by tom wright and all of society, and a reminder that these pressing global demographic 94 changes will affect each and every one of us. The image was conceived and Global Innovations 26 produced specifi cally for AARP and this Project Romeo Gives Robots a AARP on the Scene edition of The Journal. Role in Caregiving

THEJOURNAL | 3 aarp international THEJOURNAL

editor-in-chief Josh Collett managing editor Holly Schulz editors Erica Dhar Jeffrey Gullo Bradley Schurman Natalie Turnertalie Turner contributing editors Lucy Finn Jessica Grant Jacob Udewitz Graham White Susan Zapata contributing writers Jan Wilhelm Ahmling Richard Hansen Jonathan Peterson Gilbert Ruiz Boe Workman design ultrastudio.co the journal online journal.aarpinternational.org aarp international online aarpinternational.org facebook facebook.com/aarpintl twitter @aarpintl contact AARP Office of International Affairs 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 United States t +1 202 434 2402 f +1 202 434 2717 e [email protected]

AARP International: The Journal is a publication of AARP. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent policies of AARP and should not be construed as endorsements. The mention of a product or service herein is solely for information to our readers and may not be used for any commercial purpose. AARP, which was established in 1958, is a nonprofi t, non- partisan organization with tens of millions of members ages 50 and older. State offi ces are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

January 2016 ©2016, AARP Reprinting with permission only.

4 from the editor

There is a demographic revolution occurring…

Josh Collett VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, AARP

Think about this — nearly two out of every people on earth will be age 65 and over. three people who have ever lived to age 65 But already today, changing demograph- are alive today! Consider that many in ics are a key determinant in major geo- the medical science community believe political decisions, seen in the European the fi rst human who will live 150 years is refugee crisis and China’s social policy, alive today. There is a demographic revo- for example. And we have seen very posi- lution occurring and we are all pioneers tive steps. The inclusion of references to on how we evolve our societies to account age and older persons in the Sustainable for this new reality. Development Goals Agenda adopted by the Until recently viewed as a phenom- United Nations demonstrates increased enon primarily affecting developed awareness and promising progress. nations, population aging is now recog- The issues are too complex and too nized as a global issue affecting all nations important for any one sector — govern- and all peoples, offering both serious ment, for example — to address the chal- challenges and rewarding opportunities. lenges and seize the opportunities. Every I believe we can now say without cred- sector needs to be better functioning ible contradiction that global population and better coordinated, each fulfi lling aging has become a transformative issue specifi c functions and making unique that is underway and advancing rapidly. contributions. By the year 2030, globally, there will For its part, AARP, a social change be more adults age 60 and over than chil- organization with a membership of dren under 10 for the fi rst time in his- nearly 38 million people age 50 and over, tory. At mid-century, 22 out of every 100 is evolving to enhance the lives of older

THEJOURNAL | 5 from the editor

people in ways that benefi t society. opportunity to shape the future We are disrupting aging, challeng- of aging in a positive way. ing outdated beliefs and sparking Globally, we are new solutions. Globally, we are  Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, engaging all sectors in engaging all sectors in all regions to UN Under-Secretary-General elevate discussion on the intercon- and Executive Director of UN all regions to elevate nected nature of aging and foster Women, suggests that treatment discussion on the a new approach. We aim to change of older women could be an interconnected nature the conversation and transform the indicator of the success of aging and foster a experience of aging. of the recently adopted new approach. In this edition of The Journal, United Nations Sustainable our distinguished contributors Development Agenda. examine how the trend is develop- ing and what needs to be done to  Laurence Rossignol, France’s keep it moving in the right direction. Minister of State for Family, How, for example, will our cities be Childhood, Elderly People transformed? What roles will tech- and Adult Care addresses how Paper on Aging Society, aimed at nology play? What will the world’s France is working to extend ensuring that all people age in sup- workforce look like? autonomy of older people and portive environments. Another arti- AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins gets engaging policy makers and all cle is by Henry Kim, COO of Korea’s our discussion started with an stakeholders to “build a society Senior Partners Inc., who relates excerpt from her new book, Disrupt adapted to aging.” the unique challenges of increas- Aging: A Bold New Path to Living ing labor force participation among Your Best Life at Every Age, in which  Tom Wright, CBE, Group CEO Korean baby boomers in a nation she states that to think of population for Age UK, discusses the role of where the retirement age has been aging as a crisis is “absolutely and the nonprofi t sector in address- 55 and most workers have been fundamentally wrong.” She calls for ing issues of population aging, “forced out” of their jobs by age 52. getting rid of outdated beliefs and such as giving an effective voice On Health Security, we feature stereotypes about aging and offers a to people and working collabora- how information exchange and a new framework for measuring suc- tively to provide information and focus on care can address chal- cess in the form of “Four Freedoms support, spur innovation, and ad- lenges associated with dementia. of Aging:” to Choose, to Earn, to dress product and service gaps. We are honored to have H.M. Learn, and to Pursue. Queen Silvia of Sweden answer ques- In the Big Picture, we hear from The Financial Resilience sec- tions about the nonprofi t foundation global thought leaders from differ- tion highlights opportunities for she founded to improve the quality ent sectors on fresh approaches for staying engaged in later years, criti- of life for persons affected by demen- the path ahead. cal for healthy aging and benefi cial tia and their families. Further on this for society. topic, AARP’s Sarah Lock describes  Paul Irving, Chairman of the In an exclusive interview with the Global Council on Brain Health Milken Institute’s Center for the AARP International, Premier Mao (GCBH), launched by AARP in 2015. Future of Aging, suggests that Chi-kuo of Taiwan outlines how The GCBH brings together lead- the technology-savvy millen- his government has engaged vari- ing global experts to share research nial generation has a golden ous stakeholders to develop a White and provide consumer-friendly

6 information on brain health, show- which addresses the increased develop products and services that ing what works, and what doesn’t. focus of the private sector on improve the lives of people age 50 This section also looks at lesser- aging issues and the potential that and over and their families. known consequences of ageism, and this offers. Speaking of family, we are at how mobile technology can facili- Warby Parker co-CEO Neil privileged to feature Kirk Douglas tate greater social interaction and Blumenthal reports on how his com- in our Spotlight section. As he cel- combat isolation. pany’s efforts to provide eyeglasses ebrates his 99 birthday, Mr. Douglas As age-friendly communities in the developing world can increase refl ects on his parents, his 62 year further emerge as a universal model productivity and self-suffi ciency and marriage, and recent travel to cel- for developing great places for peo- states that “businesses will become ebrate a grandson. Kirk and Anne ple of all ages, our Communities sec- increasingly mission-driven as the Douglas have funded “Harry’s tion examines methods and tools for pace of change speeds up.” Haven,” named after his father, measuring age-friendliness and also Other companies are meeting an Alzheimer's unit at the Motion features case studies on low-to-mid- the new demands. Aegon, a Dutch- Picture & Television Fund's retire- dle income areas. based fi nancial services company, ment home. Jana Lynott, of AARP’s Public is addressing the increasing need We close this edition of The Policy Institute, provides an over- for individuals and families to play Journal focused on the untapped view of the AARP Livability Index, a greater role in saving and prepar- potential offered by population aging a groundbreaking tool that assesses ing for a long retirement. Cigna and on the imperative to adapt. every neighborhood in the United Korea has developed a membership David Rothkopf, the CEO and States on the services and ameni- program that has an emerging new Editor of the FP Group, discusses ties that affect people’s lives. We direct-to-consumer channel offer- how the growth of our cadre of most feature articles from the WHO on ing such benefi ts as discount ser- experienced workers represents a their new publication to help cit- vices for health checkups and free “massive’’ opportunity, rather than ies measure their age-friendliness samples from top market players to a threat to our society. Older work- and from Manchester on the United its customers. ers will bring their experience to the Kingdom’s evaluation framework for Civil society is also playing its global marketplace in ways that pre- communities. Anne Sophie Parent part. National Seniors Australia viously were impossible. of Age Platform reports on European (NSA), a consumer lobby for older In her column, Debra Whitman, Union efforts to make age-friendly Australians, describes how NSA is AARP’s Executive Vice President and environments a reality. collaborating with the superannua- Chief Public Policy Offi cer, looks We also feature the results tion industry, healthcare providers, at the need to recast the issue of of a pilot test of the WHO evalua- and the retail sector in order to bet- aging and implores world leaders to tion guidelines as applied to two ter meet the needs of older people. acknowledge and capitalize on the “slums” in Nairobi, Kenya and AARP is proud to report on successes of longevity. She notes, present a case study of La Plata, our continuing commitment to “Realizing the promise of aging is the capital city of Buenos Aires spur business engagement and about no less than reweaving the Province. And we look at the unique investment in innovation. Scott fabric of society.” challenges and opportunities of Frisch, our Chief Operating Offi cer, As you’ll see in The Journal, introducing age-friendly principles announces the fi rst-of-its-kind there are ongoing efforts to embrace and polices in rural areas using the AARP Innovation Fund which is the new realities resulting from state of Maine as an example. devoting $40 million over three demographic change. There is In this edition, we introduce a years to provide start-up capital to more to do and we cannot miss new section, the Business of Aging, companies around the world that this opportunity. •

THEJOURNAL | 7 from the ceo

A NEW VISION FOR LIVING AND AGING IN AMERICA Jo Ann Jenkins | CEO, AARP

“You can never plan the future by the past.” —Edmund Burke

I fi rst stepped onto the stage at AARP’s Ideas@50+ national member event in San Diego in September 2014 to deliver a keynote address urging the 8,000 attend- ees to disrupt aging. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. It turns out that this is a message that people aged 50 and over have been waiting to hear. People across the country, from all walks of life, have been sharing their experiences with me and telling me that although they don’t want to age the same way their parents did, they aren’t sure what to do about it. They are anxious to change the conversation in our society, and in some cases, to start having the conversation. They want more choices for how to live when they get This article is an excerpt from Jo Ann older. They want new and better solutions to help them Jenkins’ forthcoming book, Disrupt Aging: age with independence, dignity and purpose. They are A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at ready to chart a new course. So am I. Every Age, published by PublicAffairs and I wrote this book to provide a pathway for those due to be released in April 2016. who are 50 and over and to create a new vision for all

8 generations for living and aging in America. I can no We need to get rid of more identify with my parents’ experience of aging than my own kids can identify with mine. It’s just different. the outdated beliefs Sometimes I play this little game when I hit certain milestones in my life—like birthdays, sending my kids off to college, attending their graduations, etc.— I think and stereotypes back and try to remember my parents as they experi- enced those same milestones. What was my mom like about aging and when she was 57? What were my parents doing when I graduated from college? How did they view their lives at spur new solutions various milestones along the way? It can be a real eye opener and really makes me realize how much things so more of us can have changed from their generation to mine. The way we are aging today is dramatically differ- choose how we want ent from how it was a generation, even a decade ago. Yes, we are living longer and in better health, but it’s much to age. more than that. We haven’t just added more years to the end of life, we’ve extended middle age and, in essence, created a new life stage that has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for how we live and age. And, we’re possible. Now we have to fi gure out what we’re going to just beginning to understand the full range and depth do with them. of those possibilities. We live today during a time when Even as all of these exciting developments are people age 60 and over outnumber children 15 and changing the way we age, most conversations around under. Demographers predict that more than half the aging still view it as a problem to be solved. And the solu- children born today will live to 100. And, some believe tions are all an effort to avoid the national crisis that is that the fi rst person who will live to the age of 150 has the aging of America. It’s a premise that is absolutely and already been born. fundamentally wrong, and millions of people are prov- This is an incredibly exciting time. Many organiza- ing it wrong every day. The conversation can’t be about tions and companies that fi ve or ten years ago had no how to avoid a crisis, it needs to be about how to take interest in aging issues and didn’t even want to acknowl- advantage of the opportunities we have so we individu- edge aging, are now engaging and becoming part of the ally and as a nation can thrive. broadening conversation. Ten years ago, we had to prac- Our culture, institutions, social supports and infra- tically beg celebrities to appear on the cover of AARP structure have not kept up with the advancements in The Magazine. Now, we are approached constantly by the way we age that science, technology and innovation stars who want to be on the cover. Entrepreneurs and have made and continue to make possible. That’s what innovators are creating an incredible array of products the conversation is about. We need to get rid of the out- and services targeted to people 50 and older. Advances dated beliefs and stereotypes about aging and spur new in research and technology are driving innovation in solutions so more of us can choose how we want to age. virtually every fi eld of endeavor that affects our abil- That means replacing old models that don’t work with ity to live well as we age. Science is making longer lives new ones that do and updating those that do work so they

THEJOURNAL | 9 from the ceo

continue to work in the future. That’s what disrupting aging is all about. I have identifi ed the Four

Aging’s Four Freedoms Freedoms of Aging that On January 6, 1941, the eve of the United States’ entry into World will defi ne a new vision for War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood before a joint session living and aging in of Congress to deliver his annual State of the Union address. In that speech, Roosevelt argued for an end to the America and inspire us isolationist policies that grew out of World War I and offered a new ideol- to disrupt aging, making ogy based on Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, that vision a reality. Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms became a rallying cry to garner pub- that as well. Whether you want to stay engaged, involved and produc- lic support for America’s involvement continue living in your own home as tive during our extended middle in World War II. They resonated with you get older, move to a retirement age and beyond, we need to keep the American people as a statement of community, or live in an institu- learning. If we want to continue the country’s underlying values, and tional setting, those options should working, we need to keep learning to this day, Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms all be available to you. It’s all about in order to keep our job skills up still ring true as the basic values that having options available that allow to date. We need to keep learning defi ne American life and examples of you to choose how you live and age. to avoid isolation. We need to keep American exceptionalism. Freedom to Earn. A key part learning for our own personal ful- of the retirement model that most fi llment and simply to enjoy life. But In much the same way that of us have grown up with is free- let’s face it, the opportunities for us Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms inspired dom from work. Today, a key part of to keep learning diminish as we get America to wake up and realize extended middle age is the freedom older. In many cases, they’re just not what was happening in the world to work. Many of us want or need to there. As we disrupt aging, we will and to act, I have identifi ed the Four continue earning a living and are break down the barriers and create Freedoms of Aging that will defi ne searching for ways to make a differ- new opportunities to learn as we a new vision for living and aging in ence in society through the work we get older. America and inspire us to disrupt do. This requires reimagining work Freedom to Pursue Happiness aging, making that vision a reality. and breaking down both social and by discovering and fulfi lling your Freedom to Choose how and institutional barriers that stand in purpose. This is what it’s really where you want to live as you age. the way. all about. Our longer lives give us When it comes to aging, there is no Freedom to Learn. Our world is an extraordinary opportunity to one-size-fi ts-all solution. If you want changing so quickly. New technolo- become the people we have always to follow a traditional path to retire- gies, new ways of communicating wanted to be. No longer burdened ment, you should be able to do that. with each other, new ways of receiv- by many of the day-to-day stresses If you want an active, engaged life, ing and processing information— that consumed our lives as we were you should have options to pursue it’s hard to keep up. If we want to climbing the corporate ladder and

10 raising our kids, many of us are vision is of a world in which aging is using our extended middle age to not about decline; it’s about growth. turn inward and focus on fi nding It doesn’t present only challenges; and fulfi lling our purpose in life. it creates new opportunities. And We have the power to reimagine our older people are not burdens; they lives, to change its course and fi nd are contributors. new ways to fi nd fulfi llment. I truly believe that age and Civil rights leader A. Philip experience can expand life’s pos- Randolph keenly observed, sibilities for every member of our “Freedom is never given; it is won.” society. When we disrupt aging and So, if we’re going to win at attain- embrace it as something to look ing Aging’s Four Freedoms, we have forward to instead of something to to work together to create a society fear, we can begin to discover our where we have access to the care, real possibilities for becoming the information and services we need person we always wanted to be and to lead healthier lives with indepen- build a society where all people are dence and dignity; where we have valued for who they are, not judged the fi nancial resources and opportu- by how old they are. • nities to match our longer life spans; and where we are seen as an integral and inspirational asset to society. Winning these freedoms begins with each of us. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and wait for some- one else to win these freedoms for us; we have to do it for ourselves. It’s time to tell our stories—what we believe and what we can do. So, in conversations with your family and friends, what beliefs will you challenge? We need to change both the culture and the infrastructure of aging—the systems, programs, Jo Ann C. Jenkins products and services that we CEO, AARP encounter every day. In your life and in your work, what solutions will you spark? In everything that you do, think about what new possibili- ties you can create for yourself and others. What will you do to disrupt aging? Disrupt Aging is our rallying cry to create a new vision of living and aging in the 21st century. Our new

THEJOURNAL | 11 the big picture

MILLENNIALS SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AGING Paul Irving | CHAIRMAN, CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF AGING, MILKEN INSTITUTE

12 transportation and health care. That same creativ- ity may soon change aging across the world—for the better. With its creativity and As today’s aging generation adapts to a world of challenges and opportunities afforded by increasing ability to tackle complex longevity—a new normal—it may ultimately be the problems, the millennial millennial generation that successfully shapes a new life course. generation could be the one to solidify new Unique Skills and Characteristics Millennials possess the education, tech know-how, ideas and norms to diversity, and ease with information access and dis- improve longer lives. semination that puts them in the position to rethink and revolutionize the aging experience. As members of the so-called Selfi e Generation, which is often criticized as self-absorbed, millennials have in fact used technol- ogy to improve communication, mobility, and opportu- nity in ways that are crucial for aging adults to maintain There’s a movement afoot to disrupt aging—to change their independence. hearts and minds about the possibilities of longer life. As sharing-economy success stories like Uber and From the streets to the boardroom, to the halls of politi- Airbnb transform the global marketplace, millennial cal power, an enlightened conversation about the future entrepreneurs continue to develop new products and is beginning to take shape. Change is rarely easy, but, services for the rapidly expanding longevity economy. in the United States and other places with aging popu- From social networks and autonomous cars to wear- lations, there’s an evolving recognition that it’s time to ables and digital health tools, millennials are dreaming cast aside outdated expectations and defi ne people by up innovations that will transform and improve mil- who they are —not by how old they are. lions of lives. If demography is destiny, then millennials, cur- rently in their late teens to mid-30s, will inherit Longer Lives the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly aging Aging populations today enjoy a life expectancy that is world—a landscape that anticipates a near doubling nearly double what it was just over a century ago. With of the over-65-years-old population between 2010 and the prospect of many more years of life than their parents 2050. Now representing nearly a fourth of the US popu- and grandparents had, millennials will have more time lation and at 1.8 billion strong worldwide, the millen- for work, recreation, learning, and purpose. This con- nial generation could be the one to solidify new ideas tinuing dynamic, the result of life-extending advances and norms to improve longer lives. Its ability to tackle in science and sanitation, will dramatically affect every complex problems already has delivered profound aspect of society—from business, education, and health social innovations and advances in such domains as care to politics, civic institutions, and culture.

THEJOURNAL | 13 the big picture

studies associate the stimulus Millennials should take the of working with well-being and enhanced health for older adults. initiative in the developing Millennials’ fl exibility and com- fort with new and diverse environ- culture shift, one that ments will serve them well as the old model of working for one company and in one career fades. They will recognizes the proven head back to school at times—to learn new skills for career switches benefi ts of older workers. and to enjoy educational opportu- nities during added years of vital- ity. Steeped in computing ease and Genomic research will push continue to burden the economies already well educated, millennials ahead, seeking to unlock the secrets of aging societies across the world. will readily adapt to the growth of of radical life extension, and that open-source learning. possibility alone should motivate Environment and Well-Being At the same time, this younger younger adults to think about what Beyond physical health, the emerg- generation will inherit a persistent aging will look like as their own ing “livable cities” movement challenge: ageism, with its heavy lives progress. provides millennials with opportu- costs to individuals and societies. Millennials also know that sci- nities to expand urban features that Research confi rms that older peo- ence doesn’t sleep, and that means infl uence better aging. The World ple’s emotional stability, reliability, they’ll be parenting a new genera- Health Organization’s initiative for wisdom, and experience improve tion with the prospect of even lon- age-friendly cities has spread to 33 productivity and work environ- ger lives. countries, and institutions ranging ments. But these merits still await a from AARP to the Milken Institute frontier of acceptance, hampered by Health and Wellness actively promote improvements in unfounded bias and misperceptions. Thanks to their standing as the most infrastructure, amenities, and cul- Millennials should take the initiative educated generation ever, millenni- ture to ensure that cities become in the developing culture shift, one als are poised to experience better more effective places to serve the that recognizes the proven benefi ts personal health in later life than their needs of residents of all ages. of older workers. They will experi- parents did. With access to vast infor- As more leaders embrace liv- ence multigenerational workforces mation about nutrition and the pow- able-community concepts, the mil- in their careers and be positioned to erful effects of exercise, this younger lennial generation will have greater build acceptance and appreciation generation increasingly takes a per- access to healthful activities, like of older workers — changes that will sonal interest in their health. Half bicycling, walking, and social benefi t them directly as they age. of US millennials fear loss of physi- engagement. Conveniences for older cal agility and self-reliance more people will include transportation Financial Security than fi nancial insecurity later in life, options, social service networks, A key element to well-being for according to research by the market learning opportunities, and diverse older adults is fi nancial security. research company Nielsen. housing alternatives. Millennials came of age during the Scientifi c innovation, acceler- Great Recession, with poverty and ated disease cures, and personal- Work and Education unemployment rates higher than ized medicine will enable longer Millennials will almost certainly what Gen-Xers and baby boomers health spans. But millennials face a continue the developing trend of had at this stage of life. Yet the Pew major challenge—tackling the obe- working later in life, due to economic Research Center fi nds that millen- sity epidemic. If not arrested, obe- need and a desire for ongoing chal- nials are fi nancially optimistic and sity, with its skyrocketing costs, will lenge and contribution. Fortunately, ambitious, and while most don’t feel

14 they earn enough to support their ages of 18 and 34. This trend is likely desired lives, roughly 8 in 10 think to grow with the prevalence of inca- they’ll get there in the future. pacitating illness like Alzheimer’s Still, millennials carry massive and the aging of the baby boomers. student debt that far exceeds that Millennials also are philan- experienced by earlier generations thropic and are known for valuing at the same age; and more than experiences more than possessions, half of millennials say they are liv- a trait that also happens to charac- ing paycheck to paycheck, unable terize older adults. Roughly 8 in 10 to save for the future, according millennial employees and managers to Wells Fargo. It is not yet clear among 2,500 surveyed in small and whether they will attain the fi nan- large fi rms made charitable dona- Paul Irving cial health that so importantly con- tions in 2014, according to an Achieve Paul Irving is chairman of the tributes to physical and emotional LLC study sponsored by the Case Milken Institute Center for the well-being in older age. Foundation. With these priorities and Future of Aging and distinguished values, millennials may well usher in scholar in residence at the USC Purposeful Aging a new era of meaning and purpose as Davis School of Gerontology. A key aspect of well-being for older they enter their later years. Author, speaker and recognized leader in the fi eld, Irving previously adults is the defi nition of purpose in served as the Institute’s president, their lives—fulfi llment of the urge The Future an advanced leadership fellow at for meaningful engagement and One can only imagine what break- Harvard University and CEO of a benefi cial contribution. Purpose throughs might further boost life prominent law and consulting fi rm. improves mental and physical spans, and the pathways to solv- health, and it correlates with greater ing the challenges of chronic productivity, creativity, and resil- disease, ageism, and fi nancial ience. As the benefi ts of purposeful insecurity remain uncertain. But aging become more widely under- aging is changing, and a new and stood, millennials will be more hopeful narrative is being written. inclined than earlier generations to Millennials—with their big num- defi ne their purpose and act on it bers, bold ideas, and longer lives— through volunteerism, mentoring, will be powerful participants in that and other meaningful activities. process, with opportunities large Millennials already volunteer and small to set a new course and more than past generations did. In improve lives. The movement to dis- 2013, 20 percent of adults under 30 rupt aging is building, and the mil- volunteered, the Corporation for lennials, heeding the call to action, National and Community Service will shape the future. • states. That compares to 14 percent of young adults in 1989, an analysis of Census Bureau data shows. The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that nearly a quarter of caregivers today are between the

THEJOURNAL | 15 the big picture

CHALLENGES FACING OLDER WOMEN Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka | UN UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UN WOMEN

In September we witnessed the launch of the most that we recognize—and differentiate between—the ambitious universal effort since the United Nations challenges faced by women at different stages of their Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The 2030 Agenda lives. Over the fi rst half of the current century, the for Sustainable Development was adopted with 17 global population ages 60 years and older is projected global goals (SDGs) for a more sustainable, equitable to double, reaching 2 billion by 2050. Women will con- world. There are gender-equality targets throughout the tinue to make up a larger share of this population and agenda as well as Goal 5, which specifi cally focuses on will outlive men in nearly all countries. In the devel- gender equality and women’s empowerment. oped world, women outlive men by a margin of 4 to 10 The goals are deliberately universal and inclusive, years; in the developing world, 58 percent of older peo- explicitly covering “all ages.” It is important, however, ple are women.

16 caregivers. In addition, caregiving needs have become multigenerational, meaning that it is not just children The 2030 Agenda for but parents who need care later in life. By 2050, the Sustainable Development world will have almost 400 million people who are 80 years or older, making it the fi rst time in history that the lays out a set of ambitious majority of middle-aged adults will have living parents, and important global according to the World Health Organization. Uncompensated caregiving activities often restrict goals that target gender women’s mobility, educational attainment, and skills equality and women's development, which in turn limit their employment and earning opportunities. When women actively par- empowerment. ticipate in the labor market, many have no option but to take low-wage jobs, or they are relegated to part-time employment with few benefi ts and little security. In addition to these economic inequalities, many political, legal, and health care structures have a detri- Although life expectancy is higher for women, many mental impact on the fi nancial security and well-being are unable to enjoy their later years because they struggle of older women. In some countries, inheritance laws and to meet their basic needs. A lifetime of inequalities has practices discriminate against women, so that daugh- led to older women experiencing some of the world’s low- ters inherit half as much as their brothers, and mothers est literacy rates. Many older women suffer signifi cant less than their children. Widows can be faced with social health inequities, enjoy fewer human rights, and have exclusion, have no rights, and lack social protection. In less fi nancial security, with fewer savings and assets to societies where a woman’s identity and economic worth support an adequate standard of living in older age. are seen as inextricably tied to those of her husband, the Gender, aging, and poverty are interrelated. experience of domestic violence and neglect can con- Throughout a woman’s lifetime, her socioeconomic sta- tinue even once women become widows. tus is rooted in a division of labor that assumes her pri- There is a critical need to address violence against mary involvement in society to be in reproductive labor, older women. Yet, for many developing countries, data on unpaid household work, and caregiving. This perpetu- violence against women are measured only for women of ates unequal power relations in the home and means reproductive age: 15 to 49 years. This gap in data collec- that women earn less and save less for their elderly tion by the Demographic and Health Surveys reinforces years. The cumulative effects of this disparity across a the stereotype of women’s value being linked to repro- woman’s life render her particularly vulnerable to pov- ductive function. It is therefore important to introduce erty, discrimination, violence, and marginalization in ways to measure violence beyond this age group in order old age. Globally, only about half of people above the to ensure that all women are counted and that the appro- retirement age enjoy access to a pension. In most coun- priate responses are developed. tries, women are less likely than men to receive one, and The number of older persons in need of long-term where they do, their benefi t levels are usually lower than care is expected to grow signifi cantly in all countries. those of their male counterparts. In the United States, Studies reveal that, globally, the majority of countries female caregivers lose an estimated $324,000 in wages do not provide any long-term care protection. More than and Social Security benefi ts as a result of uncompen- 48 percent of the world’s population lacks coverage by sated caregiving. Cumulatively, the total estimated national health care legislation. Most of these people aggregate of lost wages, pension, and Social Security are older women, which is a particularly concerning fact benefi ts for these caregivers is nearly $3 trillion.1 given that nearly half of women over 75 years of age are This “care burden” is currently one of the most seri- living alone. ous restrictions faced by women globally. An estimated If not addressed, the feminization of aging has 66 percent of caregivers are female, and they spend the potential to become one of the biggest challenges 50 percent more time providing care than do male to gender equality of this century; therefore, these

THEJOURNAL | 17 the big picture

issues need targeted action by Finally, we need to fully governments and international implement the 2030 Agenda for organizations. Sustainable Development in order The fi rst step that can be taken to tackle the root causes that lead to to support older women is recogniz- old-age discrimination, through ing unpaid care work. This means enacting policies to extend social  Ending extreme poverty; protection, especially social pen- sions, to everyone who does not  Extending social protection to all; qualify for a contributory pension— whether because they have worked  Ensuring inclusive and equitable in the informal economy or had quality education; interrupted histories of paid work as a result of their care obligations.  Promoting sustainable economic Governments must also support growth; unpaid care work through better public services and investments in  Providing full and productive basic infrastructure. employment for all; We also need social policies designed specifi cally with rights for  Making cities and public spaces women—of all ages—in mind, as safe for women; and well as macroeconomic policies that create stable economies and support  Promoting peaceful and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka the realization of human rights. We i n c l u s i v e s o c i e t i e s . Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is need to provide child allowances to United Nations Under-Secretary- support families as well as noncon- The treatment of older women is General and Executive Director of UN Women. She was sworn tributory pensions to ensure wom- a priority issue that affects us all and into offi ce on 19 August 2013 and 2 en’s income security in old age. In might serve as an indicator of our brings a wealth of experience and the United States, there is a need to success in living out the aspirations expertise to this position, having realize the vision of the Elder Justice of the new agenda. The goal and devoted her career to issues of Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, promise of the SDGs are a remark- human rights, equality and social justice. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka to protect seniors from those seek- able opportunity for our global has worked in government and ing to take advantage of them. community to work together, recog- civil society, and with the private We need to amend laws that nizing the changing demographics sector, and was actively involved discriminate against women with and taking action to create condi- in the struggle to end apartheid in regard to property and inheritance tions in which all women will thrive. her home country of South Africa. rights; create for older women We at UN Women are committed to employment opportunities as well help create this reality. • as adequate employment benefi ts; 1 MetLife, The MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to and support paid family care leave. Caregivers, (2011), retrieved January 2015 from We need to educate health care pro- http://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/up- loads/2011/06/mmi-caregiving-costs-working- viders to address the specifi c needs caregivers.pdf of elderly women, provide mental health services that target older 2 Progress of the World’s Women 2015 – 2016. UN Women - http://progress.unwomen.org/ women, provide long-term care cov- en/2015/ erage for women, and ensure that we include older women in programs to prevent gender-based violence.

18 SHIFTING THE AGING PARADIGM Laurence Rossignol | MINISTER OF STATE FOR FAMILY, CHILDHOOD, ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ADULT CARE, FRANCE

Population aging is a top priority of the French government, which has made a signifi cant political and economic investment in solving the challenge.

THEJOURNAL | 19 the big picture

An increasing share of the French popu- “decide for them what to do”; rather, we lation is now living longer. In 2020, over a should “make it possible for them to do, third of the population will be more than enable them, give them the capacities to 60 years old, and, in 2060, there will be do.” This is the very basis for a society in three times as many people who are 85 which positive treatment is fostered. years old and older as there are now. Through the legislation mentioned Yet France is not an aging soci- above, the government initiates not only ety. As the Minister of State for Family, a genuine change in the framework we Childhood, Elderly People and Adult use to consider aging but also a change Care I would like to stress this impor- in the paradigm, which refl ects a strong tant nuance. France is a society that is political commitment. When address- built, and that continues to build itself, ing aging, three main objectives are set: on the basis of a balance of generations. anticipating the decrease of autonomy so And indeed, the fertility rate in France is as to delay it as much as possible; bring- the highest in Europe. ing support to those facing a loss of auton- Above all, that an increasing share omy; and engaging the whole society into of the population is growing old signals accommodating the changes brought on progress. It is the outcome of a society in by aging. which the necessary conditions for every- Individuals who are facing such a loss one to live longer are not only created but of independence expect to be supported also strengthened. and to have their needs met. Since 2001, Caring for the most fragile of our citi- the “individualized benefi t for autonomy” zens calls for comprehensive national sol- (allocation personalisée d’autonomie) idarity. Every year, France devotes more helps elderly people ages 60 and older who than 21 billion euros to offer appropriate are suffering from a loss of autonomy to adult care provision. pay for the adult care they receive either And, indeed, declining autonomy is a at home or in residential care. At a time major challenge for our society— particu- when most people wish to grow old in larly for policy makers. If living longer is their homes, the government has chosen important, what we ultimately strive for to devote an extra 350 million euros to is living longer in good conditions. This upgrade this benefi t, thereby improving means being in good health and enjoying a the professional support elderly people way of life that is respectful to both human receive in their homes. dignity and to an individual’s goals. The But we also decided to support infor- piece of legislation submitted by the gov- mal carers. Indeed, the help brought by ernment, regarding society’s adaptation families and relatives when providing to aging, promotes precisely that. home-based care, often on a daily basis, Thus, we act to favor autonomy of is essential. Thus, the legislation will have elderly people, to enable them to stay their status—carer or caregiver—recog- active—and this is true even for the most nized. This is needed, because their strong vulnerable of citizens, who likewise need commitment sometimes has negative to retain a sense of personal agency. impacts on their own health and wellness. Increased frailty should not entail res- Therefore, carers will be able to enjoy ignation. I do not mean that we should a new right: the right to rest. In practical

20 terms, this means additional fi nancial help that could pay for, say, a temporary We chose to engage all day care center or an increase in the pro- fessional home-based care provided. stakeholders and public In this fi eld, the government consid- ers everyone older than 60—not just those policy makers to build a facing a decreasing autonomy. Indeed, only 20 percent of 85-year-olds have an society adapted to aging, a identifi able loss of independence. This tells us that losing individual autonomy is not inevitable: we can act to prevent, society in which elderly anticipate, and delay it. We should give ourselves the capacities to do so, by iden- people are fully included. tifying and handling the very fi rst indica- tions of frailty. In order to best meet multiple and sometimes a mere grab-bar in the shower changing needs, we need to favor a lat- can prevent a fall—and we know that a fall eral and cross-divisional approach that can lead to a decreased autonomy. also entails a greater coordination of all We chose to engage all stakehold- the stakeholders involved. This is a real ers and public policy makers to build challenge, but it is necessary to build plat- a society adapted to aging, a society in forms for cooperation and exchange so as which elderly people are fully included. to get rid of the existing barriers between Indeed, and because old age should not the different participants. be a restraint, it is the whole of the culture Hence, from now on, each territory surrounding elderly people that needs to will host a “conference of the funding be rethought. partners” (conference des fi nanceurs), In order to do this, public mobi- which puts together all the stakeholders lization is needed, and elderly people in charge of preventive actions locally. themselves are asked to contribute to They will agree on a program of actions the defi nition of public policies. Locally, whose purpose will be to ensure that elderly people will be able to be members each and every elderly person, no mat- of county committees, thereby contribut- ter where he or she may live, can benefi t ing to the elaboration of public policies in from prevention. a wide fi eld of competences: health and These conferences will rely on the social policies, of course, but also hous- Strategy to Prevent the Loss of Autonomy, ing, transport, culture, and so on. which includes pieces of advice for both I aim to open up governance mecha- professionals and the elderly people nisms of public policies so as to bring dif- themselves. Topics vary widely from food, ferent generations to speak to each other. planning of care, housing, and so on. Indeed, different generations often face These conferences will also have similar issues: the fi ght against social credits made available so as to make it isolation, the fi ght to promote accessi- easier for elderly people to access assis- bility or to protect informal carers, and tive technologies for their homes. Indeed, so on. Hence, we are setting up at the

THEJOURNAL | 21 the big picture

Every generation is involved with the challenges brought on by aging and is thus incentivized to act.

national level a “high council” that to act—and to develop new policies. will allow different individuals from Social isolation has been identifi ed all walks of life (young adults, those as a determining factor in the pro- in middle age, and elderly people) to cess behind declining autonomy. exchange between them and to be Hence, we support the development active contributors to the defi nition of a national mobilization against of public policies. the isolation of elderly people. This We are engaging with the whole initiative is composed of intergener- of society in order to fi nd socially ational teams that meet with elderly innovative answers to the challenges people, particularly those who live in brought on by aging. remote areas. Beyond its direct pre- Aged care professionals are ventive impacts, this action is crucial Laurence Rossignol at the heart of the system, and I to enable each and every one of us Laurence Rossignol was appointed strongly support, for instance, the to feel responsible for the well-being Minister of State for Family, development of services that encom- of others. Childhood, Elderly People and Adult Care in June 2015. In April pass both home-based care and Population aging is a priority 2014 she was nominated by the facility-based care. Indeed, they offer of this government, which works so Prime Minister Manuel Valls to a better quality and clearer support that France lives up to the challenge. be part of his government. She service to the users, they overcome The budgetary context is tight, has been fi ghting since to reform isolation from which professional and yet this government has made policies designed for the elderly people in France, and a new carers suffer, and they enable man- a strong and important political piece of legislation on the matter agers to run their organizations choice with 650 million euros she introduced at the National more effi ciently. Actors from the “sil- devoted to our society’s adaption to Assembly has just been enacted. ver economy sector” are also fully aging. The legislation carrying this engaged in the change of framework aim, which was postponed for many described earlier. The aging of indi- years, marks a signifi cant milestone viduals entails an evolution of uses in the collective commitment to and customs, which, in turn, leads meet the needs of those facing a loss to a boost in innovation. The gov- of autonomy. I am sure that it will ernment is therefore proactive in result in improving the daily lives of trying to develop the silver economy our older counterparts. • sector—particularly as it is a source for both improved quality of life for elderly people and creation of jobs for everyone. Finally, every generation is involved with the challenges brought on by aging and is thus incentivized

22 THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN AN AGING WORLD Tom Wright | GROUP CEO, AGE UK

infectious diseases, but we are living longer with long- term chronic conditions (or noncommunicable diseases). This does not have to be the case, however. With bet- The nonprofi t sector ter diet, more exercise, and a reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption, the risk factors for many chronic is uniquely poised to conditions can be substantially reduced. This is true for contribute its experience dementia and cognitive decline too, and it is why Age UK and Age International (Age UK’s international arm) have and expertise to infl uence joined forces with AARP as founding members of the major international Global Council on Brain Health (“Council”). We intend that the Council will provide expert but accessible public policy to improve the lives information around perhaps the biggest frontier of health: of aging people. brain health. The UK is no stranger to the present trend of liv- ing longer with related challenges. One in fi ve people is already over age 60, and that cohort is set to increase from 14.9 million in 2014 to 18.5 million in 2025. The media often portrays this growth as a “crisis” and older We are seeing a clear increase in longevity across the people as a “burden” on society. But the truth is that an globe, with life expectancy at age 60 increasing, particu- aging population can be a great benefi t—provided the larly in high-income countries. By 2050, in every region right policies are in place. except Africa, a quarter or more of the population will In the UK, older households spend £145 billion a be ages 60 and older. According to the United Nations, year, and among older people there is considerable around the world generally, higher numbers of older resilience and a spirit of independence. Older people people are a certainty in the short to medium term. also contribute signifi cantly to society. They are valued While this information is great news, it presents members of their communities and account for many of challenges. For example, we are increasingly surviving our volunteers and caregivers.

THEJOURNAL | 23 the big picture

The impact of a degree of aus- local Age UK partners. At a time A good example is Age UK’s terity on public services in the UK when public services are stretched integrated health and care model, means that older people are increas- or simply nonexistent, access to which health and social care part- ingly being left to rely on their own good, trustworthy provision of this nerships are currently piloting in resources without the information kind is more important than ever to areas across the country. The model and support they need. Nonprofi t older people and their families, and brings together clinical commis- organizations, such as Age UK, play demand for it is increasing. sioning groups—the physician-led a vital role in fi lling these gaps and The fact that nonprofi ts start groups responsible for planning in maximizing the opportunities with the people they exist to serve— and designing local health services, that an aging society brings. refl ecting their voices and needs—is local government, acute and com- Like many other nonprofi ts, crucial. Many governments have munity health providers—with one of our core purposes at Age UK recognized this and espouse a pol- local Age UKs. They work together is giving an effective voice to the icy of “co-production of services.” and develop a joint vision to people we represent and work for, To achieve the best outcomes, improve outcomes for older people, campaigning and infl uencing on nonprofi t organizations must be and they save money in the health their behalf with local, regional, and included as equal partners from and social care system, primarily national decision makers. We pro- the outset and given an opportu- by reducing avoidable unplanned vide a wide array of services, both nity to shape the agenda. Involving hospital admissions. The model independently and in partnership nonprofi ts in service delivery isn’t was originally piloted in Cornwall, with public services, giving a voice about making a service cost-free; it England, and has so far achieved a to the excluded; fostering capac- is about doing things better, not nec- 34 percent reduction in non-elective ity, agility, and fl exibility; joining essarily cheaper. admissions, a 20 percent increase up services around the needs of the Another area where nonprof- in well-being for older people, and individual; and leveraging the con- its play a vital role is in scaling up an 8 percent reduction in the use of tribution of volunteers. innovation. This is where networks social care. A service we are very proud of such as Age UK’s can come into Community is important to at Age UK is our information and their own—providing a test bed for many older people, and nonprof- advice. We offer support and guid- innovation, supporting the smaller its can help enable social action ance on age related issues through organizations in their networks and through establishing and support- Age UK’s free national phone ser- projecting their voices, highlighting ing local groups and forums that vice, its website, extensive range best practices, and reproducing suc- give members a powerful voice. of guides and face-to-face through cessful pilots. Nonprofi ts also benefi t greatly from

24 There continues to be a gap between what is provided and what older people say is right for them, and nonprofi ts are well placed to bridge this gap.

the willingness of older people to international policy development volunteer and make an active contri- and, in the process, learn lessons for bution to civic and community life. the United Kingdom from very dif- When older people engage in this ferent contexts. way, it often improves their physical Finally, in terms of aging, non- and mental health. In addition, vol- profi ts also have a role in address- unteering helps combat loneliness ing, through social enterprise, and brings communities together. product and service gaps in the mar- Since 2012, Age International ket. Age UK has more than one mil- and Age UK have partnered with the lion customers, and we are proud of World Health Organization (WHO) the products and services we offer Tom Wright CBE to develop and pilot a knowledge because they are tailored to the translation framework on aging needs of older people. We believe Tom Wright is Group Chief and health. The framework iden- that older people should be able Executive of Age UK, the leading tifi es key health issues from data to obtain products that suit their charity and social enterprise supporting people in later life. Tom and policy reviews, site visits, and needs throughout their later lives. also chairs the Richmond Group, interviews. The results are then Although private-sector providers a coalition of leading health compared with evidence from other are focusing on older people now charities, is Chair of the Fuel heath interventions, with the aim more than ever before, this market is Poverty Advisory Group within the of identifying recommendations still largely overlooked in the United Department of Energy and Climate Change, and a Trustee of Go ON for policy and practice. This model Kingdom. There continues to be a UK, the digital skills charity. was piloted in Ghana in 2013 and in gap between what is provided and China in 2014–15. Country assess- what older people say is right for ment reports were then produced them, and nonprofi ts are well placed for each project and meetings held to bridge this gap. between government offi cials, aca- Longevity is to be celebrated, demics, and international experts, but we are living longer with long- including WHO, Age UK, and Age term conditions and not necessarily International. These meetings pro- with the health or fi nancial security vided valuable opportunities to dis- we would like. Through providing a cuss how to promote healthy aging, voice, information, advice, support, integrate health and care, and services, and innovation, and— develop new ways to address long- crucially— by working with public term care needs. services, the nonprofi t sector has a This collaboration is an exam- hugely important role, both in meet- ple of how the nonprofi t sector can ing the challenges and in leveraging contribute its own and its networks’ the opportunities of global aging. • experience and expertise to major

THEJOURNAL | 25 “Global demographics will AARP look very different in ON THE coming decades – those that SCENE prepare will have a competitive advantage.” Josh Collett vice-president for international affairs, aarp ideagen eu leadership 2030 summit in new york

1 1 22015015 AAARP-UNARP-UN BBriefiriefi ngng SeriesSeries onon GGloballobal AgingAging speakersspeakers (l-r)(l-r) DDebraebra BB.. WWhitman,hitman, ChiefChief PublicPublic PolicyPolicy OOffiffi ccer,er, AARP;AARP; LloydLloyd Russell-Moyle,Russell-Moyle, DDeputyeputy OOrganisingrganising Partner,Partner, UNUN MMajorajor GGrouproup CChildrenhildren aandnd YYouth;outh; KKathyathy GGreenlee,reenlee, AAdministratordministrator aandnd AAssistantssistant SSecretaryecretary forfor AAging,ging, AAdministrationdministration fforor CCommunityommunity LLivingiving ((ACL),ACL), UU.S..S. DDepartmentepartment ooff HHealthealth aandnd HumanHuman SServices;ervices; MagdyMagdy MMartinez-Solimán,artinez-Solimán, AAssistantssistant Secretary-General,Secretary-General, AssistantAssistant AAdministratordministrator andand Director,Director, BureauBureau fforor PPolicyolicy aandnd PProgrammerogramme SSupport,upport, UUnitednited NNationsations DevelopmentDevelopment PProgramme;rogramme; MMyrnayrna BBlyth,lyth, SSeniorenior VVPP aandnd EEditorialditorial Director,Director, AARP;AARP; HH.E..E. MachariaMacharia Kamau,Kamau, Ambassador,Ambassador, PPermanentermanent RRepresentativeepresentative RepublicRepublic ooff KKenyaenya toto thethe UN;UN; JeannineJeannine EEnglish,nglish, PPresident,resident, AARP;AARP; MelanneMelanne VVerveer,erveer, ExecutiveExecutive Director,Director, InstituteInstitute fforor WWomen,omen, PPeaceeace aandnd SSecurityecurity aatt GGeorgetowneorgetown UUniversity;niversity; JoshJosh Collett,Collett, 2 3 VViceice PresidentPresident forfor IInternationalnternational AAffairs,ffairs, AARP;AARP; RosemaryRosemary Lane,Lane, SSeniorenior SSocialocial AAffairsffairs OOffiffi cer,cer, FFocalocal PPointoint oonn AAgeing,geing, DivisionDivision forfor SocialSocial PolicyPolicy aandnd Development,Development, UNUN DepartmentDepartment ofof EEconomicconomic andand SocialSocial AffairsAffairs 2 MMyrnayrna BBlyth,lyth, EditorialEditorial Director,Director, AARPAARP MMediaedia aatt thethe OECDOECD ForumForum panelpanel onon ""PensionsPensions – AreAre wewe savingsaving enoughenough forfor oourur future?"future?" JuneJune 2015,2015, Paris,Paris, France.France. 3 DDebraebra WWhitmanhitman ((right)right) AAARP'sARP's CChiefhief PPublicublic PPolicyolicy OffiOffi cercer joinsjoins 22015015 GGloballobal ThinkerThinker PPanelistsanelists ttoo aaddressddress BBridgingridging thethe DemographicDemographic DDivideivide dduringuring FForeignoreign Policy'sPolicy's aannualnnual TransformationalTransformational TTrendsrends ddayay pprogram.rogram. DDecemberecember 22015,015, WWashington,ashington, D.C.D.C.

2266 4 4 22015015 InternationalInternational DayDay ofof OlderOlder PPersonsersons speakersspeakers (l-r)(l-r) DebraDebra B.B. WWhitman,hitman, ChiefChief PublicPublic PolicyPolicy OOffiffi ccer,er, AARP,AARP, MuhammadMuhammad Yunus,Yunus, FFounder,ounder, GGrameenrameen BBank;ank; LLaureate,aureate, NNobelobel PPeaceeace PPrize;rize; KKathyathy GGreenlee,reenlee, AAssistantssistant SecretarySecretary forfor Aging;Aging; AAdministratordministrator forfor CCommunityommunity LLiving,iving, U.S.U.S. DepartmentDepartment ofof HealthHealth aandnd HumanHuman Services;Services; CCatherineatherine Russell,Russell, Ambassador-Ambassador- aat-Larget-Large forfor GGloballobal Women'sWomen's IIssues,ssues, U.S.U.S. DepartmentDepartment ofof State;State; WWashington,ashington, DC,DC, OctoberOctober 20152015 5 BBradleyradley SSchurman,churman, SSeniorenior AdvisorAdvisor ffromrom AAARP,ARP, moderatesmoderates sessionsession eexploringxploring iinnovativennovative ccaregivingaregiving mmodelsodels ffromrom OOnn LLokok ((US),US), AAgege UUKK 5 ((UK),UK), aandnd TTaiwanaiwan dduringuring AgingAging IInnovationnnovation WWeek,eek, OOctoberctober 22015,015, TTaipei,aipei, TTaiwanaiwan 6 JJoshosh CCollettollett speaksspeaks atat thethe 20152015 IIdeagendeagen EEUU LLeadershipeadership 20302030 SSummitummit iinn NNewew YYork,ork, aalonglong wwithith MMeganegan BBettilyon,ettilyon, PPMP,MP, SSeniorenior MManageranager ofof PlanningPlanning andand OOperations,perations, GlobalGlobal GoodGood 7 SSaraharah LenzLenz Lock,Lock, SeniorSenior VPVP forfor PPolicyolicy AARPAARP atat DementiaDementia ForumForum XX,, MayMay 22015,015, SStockholm,tockholm, SSwedenweden

6 AARP International @AARPIntl • 1 Dec 2015 To solve the world's problems, we need everyone to play a role, including the young and the old. #ttrends15 #aging #youth @DebAARP

JoAnn Jenkins @JoAnn_Jenkins • 27 Apr 2015 Sharing the stage w/ impressive panelists at #MIGlobal, discussing a Legacy of Purpose for Longer Lives #DisruptAging

7

THEJOURNAL | 2277 FINANCIAL RESILIENCE AGE-FRIENDLY VISION FOR TAIWAN An Interview Addressing Taiwan's Aging Population with Premier Mao Chi-Kuo of the Republic of China (ROC)

Taiwan has taken aggressive and innovative steps to tap the opportunities of an aging society, as well as address the challenges presented by demographic change.

Leaders in the government have done this through longer, independent and successful lives. In October various forms of research and legislation over the 2015, AARP's Bradley Schurman had the opportu- past year that will continue well into 2016 and the nity to sit down with one of the architects of the new future. Leaders in the private-sector — both pri- Taiwan, Premier Mao Chi-kuo, during a visit to the vate non-profi t and for-profi t — have supported or island nation. The following is an excerpt from our invested in new models that will help people live conversation at the Executive Yuan.

28 3. Long-term care insurance bill: The long-term care insurance bill was drafted and sent to the Legislative Yuan(Branch) in June 2015. The Executive Yuan antic- ipates that the passage of this bill will create a social insurance system to support the delivery of diverse long-term services, to ease the burden of family mem- bers caring for their elders and disabled, and to ensure the quality of long-term care.

Could you share why the government is preparing to issue the White Paper on Aging Society as well as your vision for and anticipated outcomes of its release?

To address the issues emerging from the aging soci- ety, the government has taken several measures in the Taiwan is one of the fastest-aging countries past. In May 2015, the Long-term Care Services Act was in the world. Could you talk about the Taiwan passed, and the draft of the long-term care insurance bill government’s approach to address the challenges was sent to the Legislative Yuan in June 2015. Executive emerging from this aging society? Yuan formally issued the White Paper on Aging Society in October 2015, and the paper will provide a policy We have introduced three fundamental systems to sup- framework for developing quality care for the disabled port Taiwan’s aging society. and the elderly.

1. White Paper on Aging Society: Taiwan will become a In 2014, Executive Yuan began to compile the White “super-age” society by 2025, meaning that one in fi ve Paper and invited leaders from government, academia, individuals will be 65 years old. The White Paper on social welfare, health care organizations, and corpora- Aging Society will shape the development of policies tions to participate in open discussions to develop the so that our citizens are healthy and happy, and engag- framework of the White Paper. Our vision is that people ing in an age-friendly environment. of all ages are healthy and happy, and engaging in an age-friendly environment. Specifi cally, the paper out- 2. Programs to transform the long-term services and lines four goals we would like to accomplish through support system: various government programs:

 Develop a long-term care workforce. 1. Health: Increase healthy life expectancy and reduce disability.  Launch a long-term services network. 2. Happiness: Caring for seniors won’t become  Accelerate the integration of the a burden to the family. long-term care system. 3. Vitality: Increase social participation of  Further the integration and application seniors and elevate their self-esteem. of the IT system. 4. Friendliness: Build an age-friendly  Support the development of innovative environment to ensure quality of life. and integrated care. Over the past year, I spent much time visiting various  Set up a working committee in preparation senior care organizations across Taiwan, and I am most of the launch of the long-term care insurance bill. impressed by the support network each community

THEJOURNAL | 29 age-friendly vision for taiwan

has built to allow for aging in place. Taiwan is home to many large In Taiwan, we have approximately technology firms. Could you 2,400 community care stations to share your thoughts on building offer health promotion, meals, com- smart cities and how Taiwan panionship services, and so on. It is could leverage its technological my hope that community would be advancements to support aging at the core of the service network to in place and enable seniors to ensure aging in place. The seniors— remain active in the community? whether healthy or disabled—could remain in the community and This year, Executive Yuan released receive diverse services via commu- the Smart Internet White Paper, and nity care stations, day-care centers, I believe the use of technology sup- Mao Chi-kuo and so on. I truly believe a commu- ports aging in place. Taiwan should Mao Chi-kuo is the current Premier nity-based service network would leverage its strengths in Information of the Republic of China (ROC). be a critical foundation to meet the and Communications Technology, Before entering politics, he pursued challenges of an aging society. and there are areas where the govern- an academic career. He held various ment should focus moving forward: government posts before becoming The labor-force participation rate Minister of Transportation and Communications in 2008. for older workers is relatively 1. Application of big data to sup- low in Taiwan compared with port health promotion and aging other countries. Could you share in place: Taiwan has a national your strategy and give us some health insurance program, and examples of how you would we have collected comprehensive like to increase labor-force data sets. A thorough analysis of participation for older adults? such data sets will help identify key areas on which to focus in In the past, “older person” was order to support aging in place defi ned by chronological age. Today and health promotion. we need a different perspective of aging, especially in the area of social 2. Use of technology to help the participation and employment. I development of industry focused think there are a few areas where on aging: Improving effective- government could play a role: ness would decrease the costs of delivery of elderly care services. 1. Establish new role models and We would support the adoption values. of technology, such as telehealth communication technologies, to 2. Create incentives for corporations facilitate effective delivery of ser- to hire older workers. vices for the aging. •

3. Review and modify current policies and regulations to increase labor- force participation of older adults.

30 FINANCIAL RESILIENCE JOBS FOR KOREAN BOOMERS Henry Kim | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SENIOR PARTNERS INC

“You think the offi ce is like a battlefi eld? Don’t ever quit until they force you, because it’s much worse outside.” The boomers in Korea The line above relates a common problem that Korean baby boomers face. It comes from a popular soap are in a desperately opera Misaeng, which showed the joys and sorrows of an average offi ce worker. The story was originally written as dangerous situation a web-based serial cartoon, but as it became more and more popular, it was eventually made into a soap opera in where they must 2014. (It was so successful that its sequel will be produced in the near future.) To further expound on the quote choose between a above, it means that maintaining your position at work is as dangerous as surviving a war, but starting something on your own, outside the offi ce, often leads to failure. “battlefi eld” or “hell.” That’s right. The boomers in Korea are in a des- perately dangerous situation where they must choose thought that retaining workers while they were healthy between a “battlefi eld” or “hell.” saved medical costs and improved productivity; how- Since the Korean War ended in a truce in 1953, ever, even as individuals’ active longevity extended, the Korea generally has been about eight years behind the retirement age stayed the same. This discrepancy has path that the global world took. Those who were born been going on for 50 years. The government passed a between the years 1955 and 1963 are called baby boom- new law that, depending on the size of the workplace, ers (7.2 million). the retirement age would be extended in stages from The time has come when the boomers will exit the 55 years old to 60 years old, starting 2016. Yet a study workforce all at once. The eldest of the boomers (born in conducted by a private enterprise shows that the actual 1955) retired in 2010 at the regular retirement age of 55. retirement age is at 52 years, which is well below the offi - Since the 1960s, Korean seniors have been very grateful cial retirement age. The workers are practically being to be retiring at the age of 55, as active longevity was the forced out, and this is why it is said that working until key factor in deciding the retirement age. Corporations the retirement age is at least as diffi cult as surviving

THEJOURNAL | 31 jobs for korean boomers

KEY ANTICIPATED a war. Furthermore, the boom- 51 degrees west longitude,” wrote the DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES ers can’t take the deep humiliation captain of the Caronia to the Titanic IN KOREA BY 2017 from being forced to step down from in 1912. Although the Titanic disre- the monumental work that led the garded such serious warning about miraculous economic growth of the icebergs, this urgent situation was 1. The number of people nation decades ago. not completely unpredictable. The actively contributing If you can choose to leave, why stewards said, “Not even God him- to the economy will wouldn’t you escape from the “battle- self could sink this ship” and assured start to decrease for fi eld”? Because what awaits is “hell.” everyone that the Titanic would the fi rst time ever If an employee does not fi nd never sink, but it did. another job upon retiring, starting a Korea can project highly reli- new business is another way to make able future forecasts through the a living. Sadly, this alternative is “demographical map,” and this map 2. Seniors (aged 65+) also associated with bad images like boasts a warning sign that says, will start to outnumber “hell.” According to the data collected “Look out for the year 2017 and be children (aged 14 by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor prepared!” A big change is about and under) for the (GEM), among the start-ups that are to take place in stages. First, eco- fi rst time ever 42 months or less old, 36.5 percent nomically active people will start were created to make the least living to decrease; this group has been and 51.1 percent were to increase the increasing ever since the beginning income level (“opportunity pursuit”). of offi cial demographic statistics. 3. Korea will become an While such “opportunity pursuit” Second, people who are 65 years Aged Society: Seniors cases may seem to account for many old and older will outnumber those (people aged 65+) will more start-ups, those “making a liv- who are 14 years and younger for the grow to 14% of the ing” cases are signifi cantly higher in fi rst time. Third, Korea will enter an total population Korea than in developed countries. “aged society” status, which means The average proportion of the “make that people who are 65 and older will a living” start-ups of the 26 innova- account for more than 14 percent of tion-driven economies selected by the total population. GEM was 18.2 percent. The whole world seems to be in Confronted with a lack of good- the midst of a similar situation with quality jobs and a social safety net, regard to aging, but this unavoidable boomers who are pushed out of their situation appears to be happening workplace have no choice but to start more rapidly in Korea. What’s nota- low value-added service businesses. ble is that even though aging began There won’t be any problem if boom- relatively late in Korea, it is making ers can sustain these start-ups, but the fastest progress in the world. If according to the Small and Medium the Olympics were to have aging as Business Administration, the sur- sport, Korea would undoubtedly win vival rate of the lodging/restaurant gold medals until 2035. Thus, Korea business (the most popular type of is expected to experience a consid- start-up) after 5 years is only 17.7 per- erable change in the future. Taking cent. No wonder people call it “hell” a cue from how the Titanic ignored outside the “battlefi eld.” Caronia’s telegram, Korea should “Dear Captain of Titanic, steam- comprehensibly prepare for the fore- ships heading west are reporting ice- seeable future. bergs, blocks of ice, and an ice fi eld at One of the main reasons for 42 degrees north latitude and 49 to the ongoing recession of the world

32 FIGURE 1. PERCENTAGE OF START-UPS CREATED IN ORDER TO MAKE A LIVING (AS OF 2013)

Korea 36.23% Spain 28.85% Belgium 28.57% Taiwan 28.05% Slovenia 24.62% Japan 24.32% Greece 23.64% Czech Republic 23.29% Portugal 21.95% USA 21.26% Ireland 18.84% Germany 18.00% Average 17.72% Italy 17.65% Israel 17.00% Finland 16.98% England 16.90% France 15.22% Canada 14.75% Sweden 97.6% Singapore 8.41% Netherlands 7.53% Switzerland 7.32% Luxembourg 5.75% Norway 4.76%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

FIGURE 2. SURVIVAL RATE OF START-UPS BY INDUSTRY (AS OF 2012)

Industry Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five

Wholesale/Retail 55.3% 41.7% 34.3% 29.3% 25.6

Lodging/Restaurant 55.0% 37.5% 27.2% 21.9% 17.7%

Book/Media/ 61.8% 46.0% 35.1% 29.0% 27.1% Information

Education/Service 57.7% 42.3% 34.7% 29.4% 25.4%

Art/Sport/Leisure 55.3% 37.1% 24.5% 18.2% 14.7%

THEJOURNAL | 33 jobs for korean boomers

Confronted with aging, older workers should be able to pass down their know- how to younger generations; dream and prepare for a hopeful retired life; and add more value to the workplace by more deep-rooted loyalty to the employers.

economy is the decrease in what is just a few individuals’ wisdom or Although it is important to recognize called “effective demand.” When insight. But we should neither give successful stories of few retirees, it is the core labor force leaves the work- up nor simply try to avoid it. With also essential to have more general place, a sharp decline in productiv- limited knowledge and experience, and objective evaluation and recov- ity and a weakening of consumers’ and based on personal experience ering time for all. It may make more purchasing power take place simul- in the senior industry since 2007, sense to establish a solid foundation taneously. And a decrease in job I would like to humbly suggest the for the boomers to pave their own opportunities—due to economic following recommendations. way rather than recklessly expand- downturn—leads to an inevitable First, decent jobs for Neveretirees ing personalized services to meet struggle between the older genera- should be provided. When private various individual needs. tion who are still at the workplace corporations cooperate with the Third, globally widespread and the younger generation who are government, solutions will be found. “age management” should be cor- trying to enter the labor market. But if the boomer problems are left rectly implemented. Confronted Korean boomers clearly under- to be solved by politics alone, then with aging, older workers should be stand the current situation. They do there is a risk that impractical per- able to pass down their know-how not want to retire and wish to con- formance measures will be forced to younger generations; dream and tinue working beyond the general on the situation and no problems prepare for a hopeful retired life; retirement age. The words that best will be solved. Thus, it is necessary and add more value to the work- describe them are “Neveretiree,” to have the boomers get involved place by more deep-rooted loyalty to “amortality” (living agelessly), and with developing senior-related poli- the employers. Through this model, “dystopic” (not optimistic about cies in the fi rst place. new jobs that embrace the boom- future). The philosophy they have Second, education for “life mod- ers’ knowledge and experience will about “career” is also concrete. To eling” is seriously needed. While be created. And it will spur coopera- boomers, career means “existence” (I the boomers have been thoroughly tion of different generations instead am alive), “value” (I am of use), “life” trained to contribute to others of competition. (I live by the time/hour), and “sur- (workplace, public, etc.), they never However, this does not mean vival” (what I do helps make a living). had a chance to really think about that all economic agents sit idly Is there any solution to resolve their own futures. Systematic and and act passively. Some are making this unfortunate condition, where sustainable education—which gives very active problem-solving efforts Korean boomers cannot work even more meaning to life, opportuni- and consequently getting remark- though they want to? It is true that ties to fi nd suitable jobs that fi t the able results. One key example is the this condition is way too broad and purpose of life, and chances for self- establishment of “Encore School complicated to be handled with improvement—are needed most. Instructors” and “Golden Year

34 Planners” who are trained by Senior seniors. These planners are experts Partners Inc., a senior training spe- who provide information and con- cialized company. sulting services to seniors on emotion, While brainstorming programs health, fi nance, career planning, and for preliminary retirees, Senior death to help seniors map out their Partners Inc. came to agree that such golden years. Senior Partners Inc., a programs would make more sense government-prequalifi ed instructor, to be taught by retired seniors with gave 492 hours of training to train suffi cient knowledge and experi- 29 planners, who are playing pivotal ence. So, we began to train senior roles in pioneering new jobs. instructors through the “Encore While such results are inspiring School Instructor” training program. and heading in the right direction, we These senior instructors already had cannot deny that these opportunities enough experience, but they needed are given only to a limited amount of more sophisticated information and people, and they need to be spread training programs to deliver their more publicly. lifelong accumulated know-how The boomers in Korea achieved Henry Kim more effectively to help preliminary a miracle like no others have, and retirees redesign the postretirement they are faced with an unprec- Henry Kim is the Chief Operating Offi cer of Senior Partners Inc., an life. The total number of the 128 edented challenge that no one has expert in life-long learning, working senior instructors consists of “Encore ever experienced. But these are peo- to enhance the quality of life of the School Instructors,” who guide ple who unbelievably created a new Korean seniors. He graduated from through life remodeling; “Restart era of prosperity after a devastating Yonsei University in 1985, majoring Instructors,” who advise in more colonial time and a burning fi re of in economics, and started his career in major securities fi rms (Daewoo depth on adapting to a new lifestyle the war, so I strongly believe that and Kyobo) as a marketing manager, after returning to farm/home; “Life the boomers will solidly overcome an online business manager, and Journal Instructors,” who help write this present challenge. And because a marketing strategies director. and publish autobiographies; and we are a part of this global world, I He joined Senior Partners in 2007, “Employment Course Instructors”, dearly hope that everyone will cheer and has been actively making the difference in seniors' lives. who not only help write resumes and for the Korean boomers. And I wish cover letters but also hold mock inter- that wise solutions will be shared views. These senior instructors gave among one another so that we all 1,525 hours of lecture last year, and may grow and prosper together. • 1,797 hours as of September this year. The “Golden Year Planner” is another example of how the Korean government is creating brand-new jobs to increase job opportunities for

THEJOURNAL | 35 FINANCIAL RESILIENCE RETIREMENT CAREERS FOR WOMEN Catherine Earl | RESEARCH FELLOW, FEDERATION UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA photo: istock by getty imagse

36 The defi cit of quality part-time jobs for skilled older workers is a signifi cant deterrent for extending working lives in line with current public policy.

A current policy objective across skills and competencies. These valued by others, but I don’t think aging nations is the promotion of refl ect systematic and purposeful that they are.” “active aging.” This recognizes valu- pursuits of a “serious leisure” career, The defi cit of quality part-time able later-life contributions made as outlined by Robert Stebbins, that jobs for skilled older workers is a by older persons. However, as noted derive feelings of dignity and self- signifi cant deterrent for extending by Alan Walker, it involves partici- worth; personal, intrinsic, and phys- working lives in line with current pation and well-being across the ical rewards; specifi c knowledge and public policy. life course but is primarily focused skills development; and comrade- Other signifi cant deterrents cen- on employment.1 This narrowness ship, sociability, and friendship.2 ter on health management and car- potentially clouds how educated Retirement as a self-managed ing responsibilities. Rowena’s story professional women who are over career offers professional women highlights that health prevention, age 50 experience leisure in post- freedom to decide what to do and health management, and caring for work life. how to do it, which paid working family are among the most impor- Certainly, retired school teach- did not allow due to restructuring, tant issues affecting how retired pro- ers and university lecturers express increasing demands, added evening fessional women use time. a work-oriented identity, labeling and weekend work, or less predict- After choosing to “consciously themselves as “career women” and ability. For these women, retirement withdraw” from employment, describing their careers as continu- is “a relief” and “a new life.” Rowena faced putting things for ous like a man’s, even when they Anabel’s story draws attention herself “on hold” to care for her took breaks for childbirth, caring, or to the abruptness of retirement acutely ill partner. She substituted sabbatical. transitions for professional women. caring for him and her own chronic Interviews with these profes- Although she expected to “ease” health condition for “the buzz” of sional women reveal that they do not herself into retirement, she did not: working. Coping with health is part suffer in making retirement transi- Anabel stopped work completely. of the suite of purposeful activities tions; rather, they fl ourish. They do so Initially, she had searched for paid in a retirement career. She says, “It by applying a self-managing career work, but, despite being a skilled didn’t stop me…I have to take those development approach to post-work professional with recent workforce impediments in my stride.” activities, such as volunteering, experience, she found no suitable Jane’s story reminds us that unpaid caring, and household labor, employment. She says, “I thought retirement is a dynamic process and and sometimes paid work. that my skills and my experience that interests evolve. Jane experi- Their activities offer personal would, you know, not be in demand, enced an abrupt and unexpectedly fulfi lment and a way to maintain but would be valuable, would be premature exit from the full-time

THEJOURNAL | 37 retirement careers for women

position where she had worked con- paid employment, leaving a poten- tinuously for 34 years, to care full tial pool of labor that is not being time for her mother who suffered accessed by employers. from Alzheimer’s. After 3 years, Although it is assumed that older Jane’s mother become violent and workers desire fl exibility in reduced went into professional care. Jane or nonstandard working hours, pro- faced the challenge of a late-career fessional women indicate a pref- job search, then a transition from erence for autonomy and greater that encore career into volunteering. control over decision making. The She recently decided to quit unpaid availability of quality jobs for older working. She says, “I’ve become sort workers may meet their needs. of just happy being at home and, you Thus, policy makers must Catherine Earl, PhD know, having coffee and lunch and respond to challenges presented Catherine Earl, PhD, is a social things like that. I don’t feel the need by the working-longer imperative anthropologist who researches to—what’s the word?—sort of vali- in terms of specifi c groups of older transformations of work and date my existence by doing all this workers’ expectations for post-work welfare, gender and social change, community work.” life. Measures may include promot- and the rise of Asian middle Unlike other professional ing structured programs aimed to classes. She is a research fellow at Federation Business School, women who experienced an abrupt utilize retirees’ skills and funding Federation University Australia. work-to-retirement transition, Jane’s coaches to support people manag- late-career changes were more ing retirement careers. • blurred, involving transitions from 1 Alan Walker, “Commentary: The Emergence and one purposeful pursuit to another. Application of Active Aging in Europe,” Journal of Current interpretations of Aging and Social Policy 21, no. 1 (2009): 85. active aging focused on paid work 2 Robert Stebbins, “Serious Leisure and Well- are too narrow and should be broad- Being,” in Work, Leisure and Well-Being, edited by ened beyond extended labor force J. T. Haworth (London: Routledge, 1997), 119. participation to recognize various Acknowledgment productive activities, including This research is part of a large project, “Retiring Women: Understanding Older Female Work-Life unpaid care, volunteering, and per- Transitions,” funded by the Australian Research sonal health prevention strategies. Council and three industry partners. The research As things stand, paid work is team administered a large survey in 2013 and 2014 to older women (over age 50) in the public not an attractive option for retired sector (n = 1189) and the university sector (n = professional women. Many do not 1287), and carried out follow-up semistructured telephone interviews in 2014 with 12 older women expect to work; if they are relatively who identifi ed in the survey as not being in paid fi nancially secure, they do not need employment and not looking for work—that is, they to continue working. Yet their ongo- are fully retired. The survey was analyzed using SPSS and the interviews using Nvivo. An earlier ing engagement and participation version of the paper was presented at IAGG2015 confi rms that if they wished to work, Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 19, 2015. they would be able to do so. It is noteworthy that these highly educated and skillful profes- sionals do not actively continue in

38 global innovations

AARP and Age UK Collaborate on Age-Friendly Banking

banking is that if a bank can provide good service for its older or vulnerable customers, then it can provide excellent service for all.

The banks whose age-friendly designs are featured in our joint report have received a positive and enthusiastic customer reception for their service innovations. Customers appreciate being understood and treated as individuals.

Banks that are early adopters of age-friendly design will achieve a competitive advantage. In the longer term, the banking industry as a whole will see its reputation improve. AARP and Age UK have teamed up to improve banking practices for older people. The transatlantic AARP and Age UK’s joint report highlights case studies collaboration is working to identify the major concerns from their research on fi ghting fraud and fi nancial among older people in terms of the fi nancial services exploitation, enabling caregivers and creating an age- sector—and the best practices being utilized to address accessible culture. their needs and wants. Bradley Schurman Older people report a range of challenges using Senior Advisor, AARP International banking and payment systems. Physical limitations and unfamiliarity with technology can make banking diffi cult. David Steele The term “age-friendly banking” means banking services Policy Adviser Financial Services, Age UK that are accessible to individuals as they age.

The rapidly growing aging population is putting pressure on banks to make their services age friendly. Older people compose a signifi cant percentage of bank clients, so banks have much to gain from improved The full report can be accessibility to their services. Banks can expect to found online at: benefi t from the competitive advantage an age-friendly www.aarpinternational.org/ reputation bestows. One of the insights of age-friendly agefriendlybanking

THEJOURNAL | 39 HEALTH SECURITY A LEGACY OF CARE An Interview with H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden on Improving the Quality of Life for Dementia Patients photo: rosie alm, the royal court

40 1 H.M. Queen Silvia delivers the Dementia Forum X

photo: yanan li li yanan photo: keynote address.

Founded in 1995 on the initiative of H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, the nonprofi t foundation Stiftelsen Silviahemmet seeks to improve the quality of life for persons affected by dementia and for their families. The Silviahemmet care philosophy supports this mission through the cornerstones of person-centered care/symptom control, family support, teamwork, communication, and relationships.

Among its many programs, Silviahemmet runs a demen- dementia, which focuses on spreading throughout tia day-care center at Drottningholm, next door to the Sweden research, knowledge, and best practices in royal palace; educates nurses and assistant nurses in the fi eld. H.M. Queen Silvia is still the working chair- cooperation with Sophiahemmet University College; person of the foundation to this day, often visiting the and, in partnership with the Karolinska Institute, enrolls facilities and taking part most of its graduation cer- physicians in master’s level courses in dementia care. emonies and events. Following in the tradition of the nurses being known as With the help of Swedish Care International, ‘Silvia Sisters’, these fi rst “Silvia doctors” received their AARP International was able to ask Her Majesty some titles from H.M. Queen Silvia in May 2015. key questions about Silviahemmet and the legacy she Silviahemmet also co-founded the Swedish has helped achieve there. Dementia Center, a national competence center for

THEJOURNAL | 41 a legacy of care

1 Silviahemmet certifi cation ceremony at the Pauvres Honteux elder care home in Stockholm

Could Your Majesty describe the background of the foundation Stiftelsen Silviahemmet and why this was important to you?

It began with my mother; at fi rst I had no idea that she was suffering from dementia. Our father protected her, so my siblings and I did not notice anything. She was a little for- intellectually healthy elderly per- training available to assistant getful but worked very well socially. son; it requires training and knowl- nurses, nurses, and doctors. This is a It was when my father died and edge. I know that many families fi nd result of a unique cooperation with she was without his support that this [level of care] very demanding, Sophiahemmet University and the we more and more began to notice and I myself know from experience University Karolinska Institutet. her dementia. I fi rst saw it when that one is always concerned. It That is something I am per- she once came to visit Stockholm; requires so much of the caregivers, sonally very proud of. But there is something was not right. It could be like care, patience, and love. And I also greater understanding of the simple things that she had diffi cul- know there is a great sadness to see complexities that affect everyone ties with—for example, to organize the person you love fade away more touched by dementia, including things, to pack a bag. and more. Therefore, greater knowl- families and caregivers. At the time, this was 20 years edge of dementia has become a mis- ago—knowledge about dementia sion for me, and I hope that it will be As an innovator yourself, what was poor. No comprehensive educa- widely recognized that this is a dis- advice and encouragement tion in the fi eld of dementia existed ease that must be shouldered by the would you give to people in at this time. That is why the idea to entire society. the United States and around found Silviahemmet and to train the world who would also like nursing assistants in specialized What achievement of to improve life for their family care in dementia was conceived. Silviahemmet is Your Majesty members with dementia and Today, Silviahemmet has become most proud of? others in their community? a center of excellence in the fi eld of dementia care and education. I think that the general change The most important thing is to see in terms of awareness, discus- the person, not the disease. Also to Why does Your Majesty believe sion, care, and research compared encourage families and friends to education and training are so with when the Silviahemmet was be present in the lives of those diag- important in dementia care? founded is the greatest achieve- nosed with dementia. Above all, we ment. I have seen the shift from need to talk more about it as an ill- Caring for a person with demen- unawareness to acknowledgement. ness and how it affects both those tia is not the same as caring for an Today in Sweden there is specialized who are ill and their family members.

42 A few years back, a scholarship for nursing students, for which students apply with innovative ideas for the care of elderly and dementia patients, was launched in Your Majesty’s name. What does Your Majesty find most interesting about the Queen Silvia Nursing Award and its outcomes?

The Queen Silvia Nursing Award is a way to encourage nursing students to study and learn more about demen- tia, to be curious, and to bring their own perspective to research that can further our knowledge of the disease. SWEDISH CARE INTERNATIONAL The aim is to support young, driven As interest for the queen’s foundation grew outside of Sweden, mainly people with creative ideas that can due to Her Majesty’s extensive world travels, Swedish Care International question convention in how we care (SCI) was founded to facilitate taking Silviahemmet’s programs and for the elderly and dementia patients. training international. When Silviahemmet was founded, some of the specialized Since its founding, SCI has directly trained well over 100,000 practices were new and challenging professionals and family caregivers around the world through courses to care institutions that were used to based on the Silviahemmet program, tailored course material, and doing things in a certain “old fash- online training. Currently, SCI training is available in Japan, South Korea, ioned” way. But sometimes new ideas Germany, China, the Netherlands, Poland, and Great Britain, with new and creativity are needed to make markets added each year. progress. I think we have succeeded in Among SCI’s most widespread initiatives are its smartphone increasing the interest in dementia applications—Dementia Support, Elderly Care, and Memory Box!—which care, and I am very pleased that nurs- are available to download free of charge. These apps are currently used ing [those] patients with dementia by tens of thousands of individuals in over 125 countries worldwide, and has now a higher status. they are available in 12 languages.

The first Dementia Forum X, • Dementia Support aims to support family and caregivers of those a global executive meeting to living with dementia. It contains information and inspiration on how discuss the challenges of the to uphold a good and purposeful existence, and it offers tips on how demographic change and the to simplify daily life. development of dementia, took place in Stockholm in May 2015 • Elderly Care contains information on how to relate to your loved ones under Your Majesty’s patronage. and how to cope with the different impairments that may occur with age. What was the most important outcome of that event? • Memory Box! was created to serve as a memory aid and a conversation inspiration to support relatives and caregivers of those The conference included stakehold- living with dementia. This app uses music, photographs, and written ers from across society: cabinet tips based around 20th-century topics and events. ministers; ambassadors; and lead- ing actors in dementia care, geriatric To download the apps go to to www.sci.se

THEJOURNAL | 43 a legacy of care

care, fi nance, society, and politics. and nurture relationships. It is Everyone, from politicians to busi- important to get to know every single ness leaders, were able to share ideas person and support them in their about how to engage in and take individual diffi culties—not to rush, responsibility for the upcoming but to do things in a pace that works global challenges of an aging popu- well for the person. lation and the issue of dementia. It was a wonderful experience to feel Your Majesty has also been such great commitment and to lis- involved in projects to develop ten to the lively discussions on these high-tech solutions for the particular issues. elderly and those afflicted by dementia. How will—in Your Swedish Care International works Majesty’s opinion—technology with the internationalization of be a part of creating a Silviahemmet’s education and dementia-friendly society? training, and is today present in eight countries around the The challenge with the growing world. Why does Your Majesty elderly population demands new think it is important to share ideas and solutions, and therefore this work internationally? technology and creative actors in the care sector have an important role From experience and travel I know to play. Technology can be of much that caregivers around the world help to those who care for dementia are doing their utmost, but without patients; it can also be an inexpen- H.M. Queen Silvia knowledge and proper training it sive and accessible source of support of Sweden is very diffi cult to provide the best and information in parts of the world Queen Silvia of Sweden is the possible care. I therefore think it is where access to specifi c informa- spouse of King Carl XVI Gustaf and important to share our experiences tion regarding dementia is scarce. mother of the heir apparent to the and best practices internationally so An example of this are three free-of- throne, Crown Princess Victoria. that others may benefi t from the work charge smartphone apps, Memory In 2011, Silvia became the longest of the Silviahemmet Foundation. Box, Dementia Support and Elderly serving queen of Sweden. She is well known for her numerous Care, that we launched together with charitable pursuits, including her What does Your Majesty believe a group of partners. These apps have commitment to helping those are the most important lessons been downloaded by thousands of affected by dementia. that countries around the people in over 100 countries. • world can learn from Sweden and from the experiences that For more information about Silviahemmet has accumulated? Silviahemmet, go to www.silviahemmet.se/en/. One of the cornerstones of Silviahemmet’s care philosophy is For more information on Swedish having the appropriate approach. Care International and its apps, This is very essential. Silvia Sisters go to www.sci.se. are trained to communicate, build,

44 HEALTH SECURITY SURPRISING EFFECTS OF AGEISM Hannah J. Swift | CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF GROUP PROCESSES, SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF KENT

In the United Kingdom and across Europe, we have established that ageism is the most commonly experienced form of prejudice.

Nearly 50 years ago, Robert N. Butler problem, a review we conducted people use and apply the category introduced the term “ageism” to for the UK Government Offi ce for labels “old” and “young.” describe prejudice toward older Science revealed ageism is sur- people, old age, and aging as “a form prisingly under-researched.3 For Who Are You Calling Old? of bigotry we now tend to overlook” example, a title search of the term In many cultures the life course is —so has anything changed nearly “ageism” in Google Scholar pro- generally segmented by age thresh- 50 years on? duced far fewer hits than did simi- olds to mark changes such as par- In the United Kingdom and lar searches for “sexism” or “racism” ticipation in education, work, and across Europe, we have established (see fi gure 1). Although the volume parenthood. These age thresholds that ageism is the most commonly of ageism research has gathered are important social markers and experienced form of prejudice1, 2. In pace relative to other types of preju- organizing factors in society, which fact, across 28 countries assessed dice research over the past 45 years, are reinforced by legislation, norms, in the 2008–2009 European Social ageism is still a long way behind in and customs. But they can vary Survey (ESS), a higher percentage of absolute volume. between cultures and countries (for respondents (34 percent) reported This article highlights some of example, age of consent, voting age, that they had experienced preju- the lesser-known negative conse- retirement age). However, an impor- dice due to their age than prejudice quences of age stereotypes that per- tant implication of these thresholds due to their gender (24 percent) or meate society. But fi rst, it examines is that they provide a system of cate- race or ethnicity (16 percent)2. some of the psychological processes gorization that immediately creates Despite this clear evidence underpinning ageism that older the potential for generalization, ste- that ageism is a signifi cant societal people may face by revealing how reotyping, and discrimination. This

THEJOURNAL | 45 surprisng effects of ageism

FIGURE 1. NUMBER OF GOOGLE SCHOLAR HITS FOR DIFFERENT PREJUDICES SINCE 1969 he or she reaches 59 years of age, but in Greece a person would typically not be considered old until age 68. 10000 ageism T h is sug gests t hat st rong cu lt u ra l sexism frames or norms also affect these racism 8000 perceptions. We are currently inves- tigating what drives these national 6000 differences, having already ruled out explanations in terms of national 4000

number of hits number of differences in life expectancy, retire- 4 2000 ment age, inequality, productivity . What is clear is that even the simple 0 categorization of other people as 1969-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009 2010+ young or old is affected strongly by one's own age, in conjunction with the social context. FIGURE 2. ESTIMATES FOR THE BEGINNING OF OLD AGE AND FOR THE END OF YOUTH BY RESPONDENT’S AGE Pity You Reached Old Age Age categories are more than end of youth beginning of old age labels—they are also imbued with 70 both negative and positive mean- 60 ings that denote status and power. 50 They are also associated with ste- reotypes and expectations, which 40 form the basis of prejudice and

estimated age estimated 30 discrimination. The most common 20 negative stereotypes relate to older adults’ competence, whereby physi- 10 cal and cognitive functioning is 0 assumed to decline with age. Other 16-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81+ commonly held perceptions are that respondent's age group older people lack creativity; that they are unable to learn new skills, unproductive, and a burden on fam- is because when people categorize respondents’ estimates of the ages at ily and society; and that they are others, they psychologically exag- which youth ends and at which old ill, frail, dependent, asexual, lonely, gerate similarities among members age begins are shown in fi gure 2 and and socially isolated. Common posi- within a category and exagger- reveal that people’s perceptions of tive stereotypes defi ne older people ate differences from members of these boundaries vary according to as wise, generous, friendly, moral, other categories. the respondent’s own age. experienced, loyal, and reliable. In the case of age, the applica- In conjunction with this psy- However, these positive images are tion of thresholds is likely to rein- chological tendency to shift the unlikely to be suffi cient to prevent force perceptions that all “older category boundaries as one gets discrimination. This is because of people” share similar stereotypic older, we also found that people's the general mixed combination of characteristics. An important ini- perceptions of age boundaries perceiving older people to be less tial fi nding from our research was differed greatly across different competent (negative), but warm to establish the variability and fl u- European countries (see fi gure 3). and friendly (positive) generates idity in people’s defi nitions of “old For instance, in the UK a person is emotional reactions that result in age” and “youth.” For example, ESS likely to be regarded as “old” when a paternalistic form of prejudice in

46 FIGURE 3. ESTIMATES FOR THE BEGINNING OF OLD AGE AND FOR THE END OF YOUTH BY ESS COUNTRY

90 end of youth 80 beginning of old age 67 68 70 65 66 61 61 61 61 62 62 62 62 63 63 63 63 63 63 64 64 64 64 64 64 60 59 60 60 60 55 52 52 47 50 44 44 44 44 44 44 42 43 42 41 43 40 39 40 39 40 39 39 38 40 40 34 35 35 34 34 35 30 estimated age estimated 20 10 0 Israel Spain Latvia Turkey France Poland Greece Cyprus Croatia Finland Estonia Norway Ukraine Sweden Belgium Bulgaria Slovakia Portugal Slovenia Hungary Romania Germany Denmark Switzerland Netherlands ESS Countries Czech Republic United Kingdom Russian Federation

telling them that their performance Age categories are more would be compared with the perfor- mance of younger participants. We than labels—they are also predicted that the mere inclusion of the comparison with "younger peo- imbued with both negative ple" would be suffi cient to invoke old-age stereotypes and to produce and positive meanings that anxiety about underperformance. Consequently, we expected those denote status and power. who experienced the threat manip- ulation to underperform on these tests. In four studies, we found that which older people are more likely individual’s self-image, confi dence, the threat signifi cantly degraded to be pitied and patronized. self-esteem, health, and abilities. performance compared with the Some of our experiments have control conditions (in which par- Consequences of Age explored the consequences of the ticipants were told they would be Stereotypes fear or threat people experience compared with "others"), and this The inevitability of aging means when they feel like they might difference was partly accounted that stereotypes that were once confi rm a negative age stereotype for by participants’ increased lev- focused on “other” older people ulti- (a well-researched phenomenon els of anxiety due to the threat5. mately become applied to the self. known as stereotype threat). In These effects even extend to physi- This “self-stereotyping” causes peo- these experiments people ages 60 cal strength. In another study of ple to restrict their horizons because and over were asked to complete a participants ages 67 and over, we they see themselves as “too young” cognitive test (for example, of math found that the threat manipulation or "too old” to pursue certain activi- or memory ability). However, for reduced their grip strength (mea- ties or roles. Stereotypes can also half of the participants, we intro- sured by a hand dynamometer) have a detrimental impact on an duced stereotype threat simply by reduced by as much as 50 percent6.

THEJOURNAL | 47 surprising effects of ageism

We recently conducted a meta- 1 D. Abrams, T. Eilola, and H. Swift, “Attitudes to Age in Britain 2004–08,” Department of Work analytic review of all the available and Pensions, Research Report No. 599. Crown, studies of age-based stereotype 2009. threat. This established that the 2 D. Abrams, P.S. Russell, M. Vauclair, and H. effect of stereotype threat on older Swift, Ageism in Europe: Findings from the adults’ performance is reliable and European Social Survey (London: Age UK, 2011). 7 robust . This fi nding has signifi cant 3 D. Abrams, H.J. Swift, R.A. Lamont, and L. practical implications across many Drury, “The Barriers to and Enablers of Positive Attitudes to Ageing and Older People, at domains, because many of the tasks the Societal and Individual Level” Foresight measured are used as indicative Government Offi ce for Science, accessed measures of an individual’s cogni- 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/ uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ tive and even physical ability and fi le/454735/gs-15-15-future-ageing-attitudes- functionality. For example, any time barriers-enablers-er06.pdf. an older person is subjected to a 4 D. Abrams, C-M. Vauclair, and H. Swift, selection or diagnostic test (whether “Predictors of Attitudes to Age in Europe,” for medical diagnosis or occupa- Department of Work and Pensions, Research Report No. 735. Crown, 2011. tional selection), implicit or direct age comparisons may harm his or 5 H.J. Swift, D. Abrams, and S. Marques, “Threat or Boost? Social Comparison Affects Older her performance. Age-based ste- People’s Performance Differently Depending reotype threat is just one example on Task Domain,” Journal of Gerontology B: of the ways that age stereotypes can Psychological & Social Sciences (2013). doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbs044. be consequential. In another study, Hannah J. Swift we (and others, for example, Levy 6 H.J. Swift, R. Lamont, and D. Abrams, “Are They Half as Strong as They Used to Be? An Hannah J. Swift is a research et al., 1999–2000) found that trig- Experiment Testing Whether Age-Related fellow at the School of Psychology, gering negative old-age stereotypes Social Comparisons Impair Older People’s University of Kent. Her research even outside the perceiver’s con- Hand Grip Strength and Persistence,” British focuses on ageism, attitudes to Medical Journal Open (2012). doi: 10.1136/ scious awareness can be suffi cient bmjopen-2012-001064. age and age stereotypes, and it to reduce his or her motivation for a has been disseminated widely to 7 R.A. Lamont, H.J. Swift, and D. Abrams, “A academic and policy audiences. longer life. However, the wider point Review and Meta-Analysis of Age-Based She is a core member of EURAGE, is that age-based prejudice is a sub- Stereotype Threat: Negative Stereotypes, Not which contributed to the design stantial challenge for society as well Facts, Do the Damage,” Psychology & Aging and analysis of the “Ageism” module (2015). doi: 10.1037/a0038586. for as individuals, and it is an area in the European Social Survey. that should be increasingly priori- tized for research and intervention. If you would like to learn more about our research, please visit http://eurage.com/ or our blog at https://grouplab.wordpress.com/. •

48 HEALTH SECURITY THE UNDER- CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM OF ELDERS Lilian Myers | LEADER, APPLE + IBM GLOBAL AGING INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO

THEJOURNAL | 49 the under-connected ecosystem of elders

1 Japan Post, Apple, and IBM announced a pilot app for Japanese seniors, aging in place at home, informed by more than fi ve years of research at IBM’s Tokyo Research Labs

citizens. In spite of this, technology can be a Technology can be a vital tool to turn crisis into opportunity and to fi ll a void in the lives of seniors caused by vital tool to turn crisis changes in both policy and social structures. into opportunity and to The rise and fall of social connection Ask any gerontologist or geriatric nurse what fi ll a void in the lives of happens during patient appointments, and the response is likely to be, “Chatting, listen- seniors caused by ing to patients talk about their children or grandchildren, their frustrations, their joys, changes in both policy their fears.” Similar comments can be heard in other health settings frequented by seniors who use time in, say, cardiology offi ces, phar- and social structures. macies, and hospitals less for discussions of health conditions and more for socializing. Social interaction is a known factor for pre- All but a few regions of the world are approach- serving good health and mental acuity. In fact, ing the seismic shift in which the working 75 percent of health is determined by social, population is outnumbered by those in retire- environmental, and behavioral factors; only ment. Health and social systems are burdened 20 percent is infl uenced by medical care; and with costs of longer lives, and there is despera- a meager 5 percent is attributable to genetics, tion to curb the imbalanced ratio of working according to the World Health Organization. people to retirees. The effects are already evi- The natural increase of social spheres that dent for many countries where austerity moves begins with family and extends as one’s fam- aimed at economic recovery have forced the ily grows was once sustained through multi- reduction of social program spending for all generational living arrangements even after

50 spouses and peers passed away. Today, as and affi nity for use of mobile devices of all families become smaller and urban migration types and sizes. continues, social circles are shrinking and The research found that even simple tasks a new era of mature aging is emerging—one are challenging and that the less familiar the that can be largely solitary—that threatens to device or interface, the less confi dent and erode the life expectancy gains of the last half- willing the user. A key fi nding in the research century while also pushing on the frequency was a consistent misalignment of eye and fi n- and severity of medical interventions, in turn ger target coordination evident among many driving up costs. study subjects. Similarly, individuals with hand tremors were uniformly unable to align Mobile technology as a unifying force to a target location. Interaction designed into Among younger generations worldwide, almost all mobile user interfaces, such as tap- online, and especially mobile, technology has ping, turned out to be among the most diffi - become an everyday channel for social inter- cult tasks for subjects to perform, but dragging action. In the United States, those over 65 are motions were much more achievable. Overall, unique, in comparison to their global contem- participants expressed a preference for using poraries, in that they may be considered the voice commands and natural language inter- fi rst generation of digital seniors, who used actions with devices, and they needed audible some form of technology for much of their cues as to where the devices were physically working lives. They were also acquiring com- located in a room. puters at the start of the internet age and had The conclusions were applied to a solu- low cost access to broadband service. tion announced jointly by Japan Post, Apple, But of the 77 percent of US seniors who use and IBM as Japan Post’s next evolution of its cell phones today, only 18 percent are using senior Watch Over service, which began a smartphones, according to a Pew Research tablet pilot deployment in October 2015 with survey. And it is important to consider that the 1,000 seniors in two prefectures. key decision maker or infl uencer in cell phone acquisition for or by those seniors is likely to The view is different from wherever you have been an adult child. Pew’s research fur- sit—but the goal is the same ther indicates that at 27 percent, US seniors Keeping the elderly well, able, happy, and at are adopting tablet and eReader devices at a home longer benefi ts everyone. Seniors them- substantially higher rate than smartphones. selves are fi nding that working longer may be a When considered together, the results stimu- necessity brought on by the need to fi nancially late questions as to whether or how seniors support younger generations or to support might take up use of mobile devices to enhance themselves through rising life expectancy, or retain an otherwise shrinking social sphere which, according to the United Nations, will as a means to stave off declines in health and increase 351 percent for those 85 and older well-being. between 2010 and 2050. With longer lives come complications. Sensible mobility for analog seniors One of my own elders generally termed the Researchers at IBM’s Tokyo Research Lab set nature of aging as a collection of maladies out to shed light on what makes devices most and affl ictions—physical and psychological. useful for seniors in the country that is home The upside of advanced years can be a general to both the world’s fastest-aging population willingness to say anything, not holding back and the world’s largest population of cente- an opinion. The downside can be angst driven narians. Over a period of 5 years, the research- by a changing world and debilitating loneli- ers studied how social, physical, experiential, ness. A recurring theme in those chats with and health-related factors infl uenced ability service providers is a general fear that one’s

THEJOURNAL | 51 the under-connected ecosystem of elders

children might judge them incapa- spring of 2014 Belgium’s bPost began ble of continuing to live alone. piloting a partnership with munici- Societal expectations for sup- pal-level social support NGOs for port of elders means many children postal route carriers to make reg- suffer their own affl ictions of guilt, ular calls on low-needs seniors, worry, and even cycles of avoid- allowing skilled case workers to ance and resentment. But regard- stay focused on higher-needs indi- less of how children feel about the viduals. Similarly, Jersey Post, in the responsibility, it doesn’t remove the Channel Islands, has been offering concern for health and well-being of subscriptions to seniors and their someone they love. families for postal carrier check-in services almost as long with enough An enterprise response—turning success to gain interest from island crisis into opportunity social and health services to aug- Organizations around the world are ment private subscriptions. turning their attention to this new Public, private, and nonprofi t era in aging with innovative ways health and social services organiza- to engage, enable, and support the tions around the world are looking needs of seniors. Some organizations at new ways to convene a trusted are taking this on as a social mission, network of resources to connect the others as a commercial opportunity dots for seniors and their families. in a huge and growing market. This includes insurance companies Japan Post is one of many postal looking to stave off rising death ben- services turning attention to seniors, efi t payouts that in the United States in part, as a means of diversifying rose by nearly 20 percent from 2010 interests in a world where postal to 2014, according to the Insurance mail is less and less common. In the Industry Institute. It also includes

52 Seizing on this greenfi eld opportunity will require a reimagining of routine home and personal services, as well as easily accessible information that keep seniors connected to the world beyond their garden gates.

fi nancial services companies, secu- seniors—in interactions that keep rity services, and local and online them safe, active, and, in turn, men- merchants wanting a foothold in tally and physically well may be this new and growing demographic. as complex as acts of public policy There is a rush to reorient people or as simple as equipping them or and to enable seniors, wherever they their caretakers with the right mix live, to age in place. of devices and services. Either way, Those entities and new eco- bold moves by governments, enter- systems will likely be required to prises, and even communities, respond to concerns of far-away chil- through which we create new part- dren or governmental health services nerships and move rapidly to sup- sponsors to ensure adherence to port our aging population, will help Lilian Myers medication regimes and interactive us get closer to arriving at the right Lilian Myers leads IBM’s Aging communications with those seniors formula for managing the coming product portfolio in the Apple+IBM to visually ascertain status. Seizing era of the aged. • Partnership program announced on this greenfi eld opportunity will in 2014. Lilian joined IBM from 25 years of executive responsibility require a reimagining of routine for products, marketing, home and personal services, as well strategy, and internationalization as easily accessible information that in healthcare technology, keep seniors connected to the world ecommerce, and health insurance beyond their garden gates. companies. She was awarded a US Patent in 2013 for technology that connects consumers to their The challenge—revolutionary health benefi ts and providers thinking, evolutionary through mobile devices. ecosystems The opportunity to use technol- ogy to engage seniors—even analog

THEJOURNAL | 53 HEALTH SECURITY BRAIN HEALTH AARP Launches New Global Collaborative

Sarah Lenz Lock | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR POLICY, AARP

engagement, diet, sleep, stress lev- With more and more els, socialization, medications and supplements. A list of the current gov- people living longer all ernance committee can be found at www.GlobalCouncilOnBrainHealth. around the world, the org, but the GCBH will be reaching out to other eminent experts around need for clear, trustworthy the world as they grapple with the all the different issues which play a role information on brain in maintaining good cognitive health. Conclusions reached by the health is greater than ever. GCBH will refl ect the latest think- ing on which lifestyle interventions work, what doesn’t, and where evi- It’s no surprise that adults are very world and the GCBH will issue white dence is insuffi cient to make a con- interested in maintaining their papers, scientifi c reviews and other clusion. This will provide practical, brain health as they age. As people research in order to share reliable up-to-date information on brain reach their 40s and 50s, they begin to information as widely as possible. health which AARP and Age UK will think about how they will stay sharp AARP founded the GCBH in part- make available to a wide audience through their expected increased nership with Age UK, which is the through their education and out- years of life, and that interest only United Kingdom’s largest charity reach efforts. becomes stronger as they mature. dedicated to helping everyone make With more and more people living the most of later life. AARP and Age Growing interest coincides with longer all around the world, the need UK have worked together on numer- growing information and the for clear, trustworthy information on ous public policy projects and will need to make sense of it all brain health is greater than ever. ensure that the Council’s recom- The GCBH will build on the 2015 That is why the Global Council mendations have a global reach. Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) land- on Brain Health (GCBH), an inde- mark report, “Cognitive Aging: pendent collaborative of scien- How the GCBH Works Process in Understanding and tists, doctors, scholars and policy The GCBH will operate as a hub- Opportunities for Action,” which experts was convened by AARP and and-spoke collaborative to address examined the impact of aging on launched in October 2015. GCBH the many factors that can impact brain functions and was co-spon- members will distill the latest scien- brain health. A governance commit- sored by AARP. We determined that tifi c advancements in brain health tee from around the world serves as there was an ongoing need to pro- research to reach consensus on what the hub. The governance committee vide information about actions indi- works and what doesn’t. Their rec- leads issue specialists — “the spokes” viduals can take to reduce their risk ommendations will be based on the — in examining priority issue areas, of mental decline. In sum, the GCBH foremost thinking from around the including: physical exercise, mental will focus on priorities identifi ed

54 improve and maintain their health. We see promoting and supporting 98% brain health as a critical component ADULTS 40 AND OVER of living well. Since the 1990’s, AARP BELIEVE BRAIN HEALTH IS has been working in collaboration VERY IMPORTANT with many other groups to help inform people about brain health. But in 2015 and in the future, we’ve stepped up our focus on improving ONLY cognitive health. AARP is imple- menting cross-enterprise initiatives as a strategy to create major impact to improve the public’s brain health. 56% The GCBH is an example of AARP’s ARE DOING THE MOST collaboration with external part- IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES TO ners, whose work we hope to infuse SUPPORT BRAIN HEALTH in all that our organization does to maximize the potential for improv- ing people’s brain health as they age. by scientists, the popular press and Whether it’s A ARP’s communica- AARP surveys to provide guidance tions or our international work, our Sarah Lenz Lock on what to do as the science evolves. Stay Sharp membership effort or our AARP’s latest survey on brain innovation and technology initia- Sarah Lenz Lock is AARP's health conducted in September tives, our policy or advocacy, our senior vice president for policy, 2015, found that although virtually research or caregiving efforts, or in where she helps position AARP as a thought leader addressing every adult age 40 and over (98%) bringing high quality products and the major issues facing older believes it is important to maintain services forward to create impact Americans. Ms. Lock helps to or improve their brain health, only and relevance through social entre- develop AARP’s public policy about half (56%) are doing one of preneurship, AARP is committed to positions to support and maintain the two most important activities to bringing the best information that AARP’s social mission. support their brain health—engag- science has to offer to people as ing in exercise and eating a healthy they age. diet. Moreover, there are major dis- The GCBH brings together connects between what people think thought leaders to work together to is good for their brain health, what translate critical scientifi c infor- they do for their brain, and what sci- mation on brain health into simple entifi c research has actually proven actions for people can take every is effective. The GCBH’s work aims day. Our overriding goal is to help to have a major impact by provid- people apply the latest scientifi c ing trusted information and recom- insights to boost their cognitive mendations that empower people to health and live their best lives. We take positive steps to maintain and are dedicated to improving people’s improve their brain health. understanding of the steps they can take to help stay sharp throughout AARP’s commitment to their life. • brain health For a summary and time- AARP has a longstanding com- line of this work go to www. mitment to empowering people to GlobalCouncilOnBrainHealth.org

THEJOURNAL | 55 global innovations

De Hogeweyk: An Innovative “Dementia Village” in the Netherlands

“Here you can be yourself. You can Hogeweyk is aiming for. It does this more than 25 clubs that focus on be human, not just a person with by creating an open environment baking, music, or arts and crafts. dementia.” —Yvonne Van Amerongen conducive to social engagement It is a holistic approach to nursing and by setting up unique living home care. De Hogeweyk cares for Yvonne Van Amerongen is the accommodations. Six to seven 152 people at a time, and has been cofounder of De Hogeweyk, an residents live together in houses at or near maximum capacity since it innovative “dementia village” in the themed according to previous opened its doors in 2009. There is a Netherlands that doctors, researchers, lifestyles and interests, such as waiting list, and demand is high. and caregivers are coming from all Stedelijk (urban), Goois (aristocratic), over the world to study. De Hogeweyk Ambachtelijk (for craftsmen/women), Dr. Habib Chaudhury of Simon Fraser is a care facility that is designed to look or Christelijk (religious). According to University in California noted that and feel like an all-inclusive village; Van Amerongen, “The people you live “these villages have the potential to it is for the elderly in need of nursing with should be people who could be simulate the daily lives of people from care and particularly for those living your friends—people you would pick to when they were younger through with dementia. Van Amerongen states, live with, people who probably have various activities in the home and “This place is open. [The residents] the same ideas… same values. That’s neighborhood. Villages can provide can go to a restaurant. They can go normal. But it is hard to be normal a much wider range of movement, for a cup of tea.” Residents are able (with dementia).” The lifestyles are compared to a typical dementia care to roam freely within the village and modelled on those in the Dutch society unit.” Although anecdotal evidence make use of the shops and services. and as described by Netherlands suggests that the experience of De People will use money if they still based lifestyle research company, Hogeweyk is largely positive (and understand how to use it. If not, they Motivaction who worked with De still others have suggested such have an understanding with the family Hogewyk to help them understand the benefi ts as better sleep, increased that will pay the bill. Although friends lifestyles of future residents. physical exercise, and reduced and family can visit freely, movement reliance on medication), evidence in and out of De Hogeweyk is secure. Van Amerongen herself was fed up is limited. Chaudhury also notes: “It The village is maintained with real with the “norm” of current dementia would be important to see if such gardeners, bartenders, waiters, and care after years as the care manager a neighborhood environment has cashiers throughout the 4-acre facility of a nursing home herself. Upon news any benefi cial effect in behavior, In the past De Hogeweyk has drawn of her father’s sudden death, “one functional ability, and cognition.” some criticism due to the belief that of the fi rst things [she] thought was, the village tries to create a staged ‘Thank God he never got to be in a In the meantime, De Hogeweyk is reality for its residents. However Van nursing home.’” inspiring communities across the Amergongen disputes this, noting world to reevaluate their models of that “everything here is real. I do my That sentiment is echoed by many dementia care. shopping in the supermarket now and caregivers. “This is perfect for my then, it is as normal a supermarket wife. I visited fi ve other places before For more information, visit: (though small) as any other”. this,” says one man who moved his hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/en wife of 60 years into the innovative Some would contend that in facility. De Hogeweyk residents enjoy Gibert Ruiz, Intern fact “normal” is exactly what De expansive social programming with AARP Office of International Affairs

56 1 1 Hogeweyk was designed by Dutch architects Molenaar&Bol&VanDillen, but it was the brainchild of Yvonne van Amerongen, a caregiver who has worked with memory patients for decades.

2 Residents can maintain their grocery shopping routine at the Hogeweyk Super.

3 The all inclusive 'village' offers facilities such as a restaurant, a bar and a theatre.

4 The village has streets, squares, : madeleine sars and mbvd architects, vught, nl gardens and a park where 1, 3, 4 3, 1, the residents can move freely

photos photos and safely.

2 3 photo: hans erkelens hans photo:

4 3

THEJOURNAL | 57 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

Evaluating Age-Friendly Progress Around the World

There has never been better rec- Americans—a growth of more than features and needs of rural and ognition globally that the places 1,000 percent in under 4 years. small communities. where people live are critical to Yet, despite increasing momen- Globally, the differences within maintaining and improving their tum, we see that challenges remain and among countries are even more health, well-being, and prosperity for cities and communities to stark. WHO’s Global Network of Age- over a lifetime. The year 2015 saw become great places to live for all Friendly Cities and Communities the United Nations launch an ambi- ages. In 2016, it will become increas- contains over 250 communities tious new set of global development ingly important for those involved in in 33 countries, including those of goals to improve the lives of people this work to measure progress and high, middle, and low income. The across the planet. Among these 17 demonstrate success—something articles from La Plata, Argentina, Sustainable Development Goals that will be critical to the sustain- and Nairobi, Kenya, illustrate that is one that aims to improve “the ability of affi liate networks as well improving outcomes for older resi- health and well-being of all people as those initiatives at the local level. dents requires government com- at all ages” and another that seeks There is a saying in AARP state mitment—as well as the passion “to make cities and human settle- offi ces that “if you’ve seen one com- and dedication of civil society to ments inclusive, safe, resilient, and munity, you’ve seen one commu- keep pushing for its support. And, sustainable.” Prioritizing the health nity.” The diversity in the types and in the case of the slums of Nairobi, of people as they age and the quality sizes of age-friendly communities a new paradigm of age-friendliness of their environments is essential to in the United States brings particu- needs to take into account the basic gains in living standards. The World lar challenges. How do you evaluate human needs of all residents, such Health Organization’s (WHO) 2015 the outcomes in a city of 7 million, as sanitation, alongside the other World Health and Ageing Report compared with a town of 1,500? Can eight domains set out in WHO’s age- goes further by highlighting the we compare a rural community friendly framework. In a relatively role of age-friendly cities and com- with no bus route with an inner city short time, the AARP and WHO munities in maintaining the health with little access to green spaces, networks have achieved a great of people as they grow older. WHO and how do we factor in the prefer- deal of momentum and commit- has subsequently made the pursuit ences of the older adults living in ment to creating livable communi- of age-friendly communities one those communities? ties that will last a lifetime, in the of fi ve strategic issues to be tackled The articles in this section United States and across the globe. in its upcoming Global Strategy on highlight both the evaluation tools We look forward to the next chapter Ageing and Health. and the resources being developed as it continues to adapt to account Separately, AARP and WHO have in the United States and elsewhere, for vast differences in people’s lives spent decades identifying the impor- as well as the differences among and environments. tant changes needed in the built and and within communities that these social environments to help people tools need to address. Having fea- Natalie Turner age in place. In 2012, the agencies tured high-profi le, age-friendly cit- Senior Policy Advisor, AARP International joined forces when AARP became a ies in the past—such as Boston and US affi liate network of WHO’s Global Philadelphia in the United States Network of Age-Friendly Cities and and Manchester in the United Communities. The AARP Network of Kingdom—the following article Age-Friendly Communities now has from Maine provides an illustra- a membership of over 70 communi- tion of the great work being under- ties and covers more than 35 million taken to address the particular

58 A NEW MEASURE OF AGE- FRIENDLINESS Jana Lynott, AICP | SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY ADVISOR, AARP PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE

The Livability Index spectrum. The AARP Livability Index is one tool that leaders can use to assess their performance. is a groundbreaking AARP built the Livability Index to catalyze com- munity conversations around what action is needed for tool that scores every America’s communities to become more livable for peo- ple of all ages. Its audience includes local elected offi - cials and other leadership from the public, private, and neighborhood and nonprofi t sectors, as well as individual residents. The Livability Index is a groundbreaking tool that community in the scores every neighborhood and community in the United States for the services and amenities that affect United States for the people’s lives the most. Using more than 50 national sources of data, the index provides the clearest picture services and amenities yet of how well a community meets the current and future needs of people of all ages. that affect people’s The Livability Index was designed by experts at the AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI), with guidance from lives the most. a 30-member technical advisory committee, which boasts expertise in both policy and data analysis across the range of subject areas evaluated by the index. PPI and its contractor, ICF International, worked with this As the year 2015 came to a close, AARP celebrated the committee fi rst to identify the attributes of community enrollment of three new members to its Network of Age- livability and then to determine the specifi c metrics, Friendly Communities (AFCs). These additions brought policies, and supporting data that could measure those the network total to 72 jurisdictions, both large and attributes. The selection of attributes was also informed small, that encompass a combined population of more by a national survey of more than 4,500 Americans ages than 35 million people. While these are laudable num- 50 and older about the aspects of their communities bers for a nearly 4-year-old program, success will be most important to them. measured not by the number of communities enrolled The Livability Index measures 60 indicators (40 but by whether local leaders are able to create posi- quantitative metrics and 20 policies) spread across tive change in the lives of residents who span the age 7 categories of livability: housing, neighborhood,

THEJOURNAL | 59 a new measure of age-friendliness

CONNECTING THE AARP LIVABILITY INDEX AND THE AARP NETWORK OF AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

HOUSING NEIGHBORHOOD Affordability and access Access to life, work, and play

AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: Housing Outdoor spaces and buildings

TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT Safe and convenient options Clean air and water

AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: Transportation

HEALTH ENGAGEMENT Prevention, access, and quality Civic and social involvement

AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: Community and health services Social participation Respect and social inclusion Civic participation and employment Communication and information OPPORTUNITY Inclusion and possibilities

AGE-FRIENDLY NETWORK DOMAIN: Respect and inclusion Civic participation and employment

60 transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportu- USING THE LIVABILITY INDEX nity. These categories of livability closely align with the 8 domains IN WASHINGTON, DC of age-friendliness used by the World Health Organization as “The AARP Livability Index offers shown in the fi gure to the left. residents access to well-researched, The Livability Index is most powerful when used in combi- easily understood scores to compare nation with other local data and experience. For example, the their own neighborhoods with other index can identify which neighborhoods in the community have locations. Like DC, any Age-Friendly the highest incidence of fatal traffi c crashes. Additional data Community aspirant can use AARP’s are required to identify the exact location of those crashes and Livability Index to augment its contributing factors. Similarly, users can map household walk data baselines and further engage trips and visually see how walk rates vary from one neighbor- residents in making changes in their hood to the next, but only residents can paint an accurate nar- own lives and neighborhoods. With rative of their experience as they try to navigate local streets an overall score of 58 out of 100 for and crosswalks. all of DC, the AARP Livability Index The Livability Index can be used to draw attention to both verifi ed issues needing improvement, local and national policy issues. County-level map layers can help which were addressed in the 2014 people better understand the shocking geographic-based ineq- Age-Friendly DC strategic plan. The uities across the United States today. Simply pan the map from AARP Livability Index underscored north to south—from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Baton Rouge, that some DC neighborhoods Louisiana—using any number of indicators, and it’s clear very fare better than others. More and quickly just how much location matters: as you move the map more residents, Mayor Muriel changes color from predominantly green (to show locations with Bowser’s entire administration, and good performance) to predominantly red (poor performance). numerous academic and stakeholder Poor performance on such measures such as access to exercise organizations are making changes opportunities and healthy foods, smoking rates, and crime rates expected to elevate AARP Livability tend to correlate with perhaps the most signifi cant quality-of-life Index scores across the city by 2017. indicator yet—life expectancy. Improving Livability Index scores There are several challenges to measuring age-friendliness in neighborhoods and DC’s overall or livability. One is defi nition. In an acknowledgment of personal score are expected to be among preferences, we designed a “Customize Your Score” feature, which the outcome measures DC presents allows users to adjust the weights applied to the seven categories in 2017 to show that it should be of livability. For example, my father—who was raised on a farm welcomed among the world’s age- and still resides just outside a small town in the Midwest—tells friendly cities.” me, “As long as I can safely drive and have my health, I don’t want to be able to look in my neighbors’ windows.” He enjoys lower- -Gail Kohn, Washington, DC, ing the weight given to the “neighborhood” and “transportation” Age-Friendly City Coordinator categories and watching his personalized score rise. Because we know access to public transportation and proximity to other ser- vices will matter when it’s time for him to hang up the car keys, the “offi cial AARP score” that he could print to share with his city council does not change. A second challenge is that data are not always available at the most meaningful geographic scale. For instance, many of the nationwide health data in the United States are, at best, at the county level. With more localized data on such indicators as smoking, obesity, voting, and social engagement, we could more effectively target investments to those neighborhoods that need them most.

THEJOURNAL | 61 a new measure of age-friendliness

1

A third challenge is how to time. Because of the index’s ability 2 incorporate complex data analysis to dive down to the neighborhood into an interactive Web design plat- level for a majority of metrics, it can form that welcomes the most casual serve as a reality check that helps visitor yet is powerful enough to ensure that those who are most vul- stimulate action that will result in nerable benefi t from planned and community change. To address this executed interventions. issue, we designed the Livability But the Livability Index should Index like an onion, where users be only one of several inputs to this fi rst see a snapshot of their total and evaluation process. Through public category scores and then are able engagement, AFC leaders may iden- to open layers of additional detail, tify valued metrics not available 1 The sun shines on an AARP such as metric and policy defi ni- through the Livability Index, or they sponsored active living workshop in Macon-Bibb, Georgia tions, links to original data sources, may have access to better local data and links to how-to resources and on a given metric. Most importantly, 2 Puerto Rico volunteers put research. local residents should be tapped to their heads together to solve The AARP Livability Index help interpret the data and prioritize community walkability offers those engaged in age-friendly future direction. • communities work a performance snapshot for 60 indicators of liv- To visit the AARP Livability Index: ability. The index can be an educa- Great Neighborhoods for All Ages, go tional tool for community dialog, to livabilityindex.aarp.org and it can be used to help inform Share your thoughts on a community’s baseline assess- the Livability Index on twitter ment as well as track progress over @AARPpolicy @JanaLynott #LivIndex

62 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES AGE-FRIENDLY INDICATORS: A NEW GUIDE Megumi Kano and Paul Rosenberg | WHO CENTRE FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT, KOBE, JAPAN

The aim of the new WHO guide is to encourage the practice of assessment and monitoring, and to enable cities to set targets and policy using evidence.

The World Health Organization to encourage the practice of assess- (WHO) promotes the creation of ment and monitoring, and to enable age-friendly environments through cities to set targets and policy using its global Age-Friendly Cities and evidence. It is also a way to enhance Communities (AFCCs) initiative. collaboration between govern- WHO launched its fi rst guide on the ments, researchers, nonprofi ts, and topic in 2007 and then WHO initiated other stakeholders concerned about a Global Network of AFCCs in 2010, our health and well-being as we age. which has now expanded to more The guide identifi es a set of core than 250 cities and communities indicators as well as supplementary in nearly 30 countries and includes ones. The core indicators include as an affi liate the AARP Network of two measures of “equity,” fi ve mea- Age-Friendly Communities. sures of an “accessible physical In an effort to further sup- environment,” eight measures of port the Global Network and simi- an “inclusive social environment,” lar efforts, WHO Centre for Health and a measure of “well-being.” The Development in Kobe, Japan (WKC), equity indicators are essential to has developed a new guide that helps ensure that everyone enjoys the ben- cities and communities measure efi ts of an age-friendly environment. their age-friendliness. The aim is The physical accessibility indicators

THEJOURNAL | 63 age-friendly indicators: a new guide

1 States, participated in a global pilot study. They used the guide to col- lect preliminary data on the core indicators and discussed them in their communities. Government statistics, community surveys, fi eld observations, and focus group dis- cussions were used, often in com- bination, to assess the indicators. In nearly all cases, multiple gov- ernment and community organiza- tions—as well as the older residents themselves—were engaged in the effort. Some of the common chal- lenges were the diffi culty in fi nding or accessing good data, and then analyzing them. Once the assess- ments were completed, some com- munities faced political barriers to 1 Working together for an implementing the related follow- 2 Age-friendly DC, one of the up actions. Despite the challenges, indicator pilot communities all pilot sites found this exercise to 2 Seniors and service providers have multiple benefi ts. It not only discussing the indicators of produced a signifi cant amount of age-friendliness at a World useful information but also helped Café in Bilbao, Spain build awareness, collaboration and momentum within the community to make further progress in creating an age-friendly community. The new indicator guide is available on the WKC website. It is hoped that the indicators set out in the guide will stimulate thought and action at the local level, which mainly concern mobility and access community representatives from collectively will contribute to mov- to public spaces, buildings, and different parts of the world. Several ing forward a relevant agenda at the housing; the social inclusiveness factors were considered in selecting global level. • indicators focus on opportunities the indicators. Technical aspects, 1 Link to Age-Friendly World web site: https:// for participation in various realms such as measurability, validity, and extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/. of social life — whether it be for work, replicability of the indicator, were 2 recreation, or local decision making. examined. Equally important were In alphabetical order of country: La Plata (Argentina), Banyule (Australia), Hong Kong Developed over a three-year the pragmatic aspects, such as social (China), Shanghai (China), Dijon (France), New period, these indicators were based acceptability and ease of data col- Delhi (India), Tehran (Iran), Udine (Italy), Nairobi (Kenya), Tuymazy (Russia), Bilbao (Spain), on the eight domains of an age- lection, and whether the indicator Fishguard and Goodwick (UK), Bowdoinham (US), friendly city that were introduced in could be linked to specifi c actions. New Haven (US), and Washington, D.C. (US). the fi rst guide, desk research, guid- In the fi nal stage of develop- 3 Link to WHO Kobe Center’s web page on ance from international experts, and ing the guide, 15 diverse communi- Age-Friendly Cities: http://www.who.int/ consultations with city offi cials and ties, including 3 from the United kobe_centre/ageing/age_friendly_cities/en/.

64 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES RE-FRAMING ISSUES IN AGING Sophie Handler | RESEARCH AND PLANNING OFFICER, (AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES) UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, UK

The Research and Evaluation Framework for Age- Produced in 2014, Friendly Cities (“Framework”) is the United Kingdom’s fi rst practical resource for cities looking to develop age- inclusive programs and initiatives. It was produced in the Framework is the 2014 as part of the ongoing work of the UK Network of Age-Friendly Cities. United Kingdom’s Intended as a practical, readable document, the Framework is a basic foundation for understanding fi rst practical the key issues involved in developing age-friendly cit- ies. With key facts, evidence reviews, and summaries resource for cities for each of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) age-friendly domains, the Framework provides a criti- looking to develop cal context to age-friendliness. It also contains links to toolkits and resources as well as recommended practi- age-inclusive cal next steps that cities can take as they devise, deliver, and evaluate their own age-friendly initiatives. Born out of a unique nonprofi t partnership between programs and age-friendly Manchester (the UK’s fi rst age-friendly city), the Manchester Institute for Collaborative initiatives. Research on Ageing, the University of Manchester, Keele

THEJOURNAL | 65 re-framing issues in aging

University, and the Beth Johnson Foundation, a series of templates that allow cities to follow a the Framework is the product of specifi c step-by-step approach for measuring the prog- needs within the urban aging agenda: (1) the ress of initiatives across each domain (each need to provide tools and resources, like this template provides cities with a more realistic Framework, that can draw local authorities snapshot of the success and experiences learned together; (2) the need to build dynamic work- from age-friendly programs initiated within ing relationships between researchers, policy each of the WHO domains). Accompanying makers, and practitioners; and (3) the need to these templates is a refl ective commentary that articulate a contemporary account of aging looks more broadly at the purpose and nature that is rooted in social research but relevant to of evaluation: the different scales at which age- local action. friendly evaluation needs to take place (from The Framework attempts to provide that citywide to neighborhood level, to the individ- contemporary account that can better enable ual and the street) and the spectrum of mea- cities to put into place age-friendly strategies sures that evaluation needs to involve (from that will make a meaningful difference over quantifi able to qualitative data that might the long term. It provides a basic foundation include subjective data, ethnographic mea- for understanding the different dimensions sures, anecdotal evidence, and visual data). of the age-friendly city, but it also highlights Most important, it highlights how processes certain themes that are not always so visible in of participation and the active involvement of public debates on age-friendliness. older people themselves are integral to the pro- There is an explicit attempt within the cess of age-friendly evaluation. Framework, for instance, to acknowledge Such "mixed methods" constitute a key the often-overlooked dynamics of multiple part of the Framework’s approach. It is an exclusion, experienced in older age, and to attempt to balance out the way in which, his- advance programs and strategies that actively torically, certain kinds of metrics have tended address the disproportionate impact that to favor and give more weight to particular social exclusion, deprivation, and socioeco- domains—at the neglect of others. As the nomic disadvantage have on an individual's Framework argues, there is a need to give equal aging experience. It offers new perspectives status to each of the age-friendly domains, to on particular domains, too: it challenges cit- be mindful of the kinds of measures that are ies to think about the domain ‘outdoor spaces valued and given weight within evaluation and buildings’, for example, as going beyond processes. This more holistic approach to the bricks and mortar of spaces, streets, and evaluation, along with the Framework's criti- buildings. It also urges cities to think about cal narrative will, it is hoped, allow cities to strategies and initiatives that age-friendly cit- gain a more integrated picture, both of the city ies can start to implement that acknowledge and of its older residents' lived experiences. • the social dynamics of urban space and the particular way in which older people use and The Research and Evaluation Framework can be empowered to remake urban space. for Age-Friendly Cities can be found at The Framework’s section “On Age-Friendly www.micra.manchester.ac.uk. Evaluation” looks at ways of approaching eval- uation in alignment with the WHO’s cycle of continual improvement. This section includes

66 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES CASE STUDIES IN AGING Gaining Insights into Age-Friendly Needs By Examining Communities Around the World

nairobi, kenya

A second, critical aim was to generate an understand- INSIGHTS FROM ing of older slum residents’ own priorities and needs regarding life in their communities. Based on this data, OLDER SLUM we then examined to what extent the current AFC indi- cator’s eight domains indeed refl ect older slum dwellers’ DWELLERS central concerns—and what additional or alternative domains may be required to capture them. Isabella Aboderin, PhD, and Hilda Akinyi Owii Our results offer important insights on two lev- Program on Aging and Development, African els. On one level, they bring to the fore the acute age- Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) unfriendliness of the two localities, as assessed by AFC indicators. They show a starkly unfavorable physical In November 2013, the Aging and Development of environment characterized by poor neighborhood the African Population and Health Research Center walkability and severely limited accessibility of public (APHRC) set out to pilot test WHO’s AFC evaluation spaces, buildings, transportation vehicles, and stops. indicators in two informal settlements, or “slums”— Therefore, these (so far) largely neglected features of the Korogocho and Viwandani in Nairobi, Kenya—where urban slum infrastructure deserve more explicit atten- APHRC runs the longitudinal Nairobi Urban Health tion in addition to the commonly cited ills, such as over- Demographic Surveillance System. A focus on slums crowding. Profound defi ciencies also exist in the social is of key importance in thinking about AFC in sub- environment within which older slum residents’ lives Saharan Africa (SSA): a large majority of the region’s unfold. Of particular concern are the widespread lack urban residents live in such informal neighborhoods, of access to economic security and essential health ser- and the number of older slum dwellers in particular is vices, and the limited engagement in sociocultural activ- rising sharply. ities among older residents. Against this background, A fi rst aim of our study was to “measure” the age- our fi nding that only a third of older slum residents’ friendliness of the two slums by populating the AFC report a good quality of life is unsurprising. A further, indicators with relevant existing or newly collected data. critical insight regards the existence of clear—in parts,

THEJOURNAL | 67 case studies in aging

1

1 The rooftops of one of the marked—disparities in well-being however, these residents’ most urgent Nairobi slums and opportunities within the older concerns often relate to aspects of slum population: between men and the domains that are not refl ected in women, between the older-old and existing indicators, thus suggesting younger-old, and between the rela- a need for additional or alternative tively better- and worse-off. As is so measures. Furthermore, there are often the case, gender emerges as the elements of the physical and social most pronounced axis of inequal- slum environment that are of utmost ity, with older female slum dwellers signifi cance to older residents but disadvantaged in key domains but that are not part of the present AFC possessing some advantage in their domains. Such critical dimensions, engagement in social groups. which would need to be included in On a second level, our fi ndings an “age-friendly slums” framework show clearly that the current set of for SSA, are (1) the basic quality of indicators must be modifi ed and housing and sanitation facilities, (2) expanded to encompass the prior- good local governance, and (3) the ity concerns of older adults in SSA prospects for children and youth. informal settlements—and, thus, Taken together, the outcomes of to offer a framework that meaning- our study not only underscore the fully captures the “age-friendliness” need for forging an “age-friendly of such slum communities. To be slums” endeavor in SSA, they also sure, most of the existing indicator offer a framework to guide it. • domains — aside from “accessibility of public spaces and buildings” and “engagement in volunteer activity”— do strongly refl ect the key needs of older adults in the two communities;

68 1 Red Mayor (elder network) and ISALUD are two of the NGOs championing an age-friendly La Plata la plata, argentina CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE Nélida Redondo and Silvia Gascón ISALUD University

Argentina is experiencing advanced demographic change. As a result, the age of its population is increas- ing, although it will differ among the many jurisdictions of the country. According to the 2010 population census, 10.2 percent of Argentina’s population was older than 65 years, and those older than 80 years of age represented 2.1 percent (INDEC, 2014). La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires prov- To help advance the work, an AFC “group of cham- ince, the most extensive and prosperous province in the pions” was set up within the Elder Network. This smaller country, which provides 31.7 percent of Argentina’s total team was made up of Elder Network volunteers who then GDP (MECON, 2014). The city of La Plata is located in the assumed the project leadership and promoted group humid pampas, 56 kilometers southeast of the city of protests, lobbying, and social activism with the objec- Buenos Aires (CABA), capital of the Argentine Republic. tive of creating age-friendly spaces in the city. La Plata has an older population than the national and In 2009, two years after its creation, the implemen- provincial average, and a greater proportion of its total tation of the action plan gained momentum when the population older than 80 years of age. local government administration changed. At the same La Plata, along with 32 other cities, participated time ISALUD created a training and volunteering lead- in the fi rst round of the World Health Organization’s ership education project, which allowed the “group of (WHO’s) Age-Friendly Cities (AFC) project in 2006. champions” within the Elder Network to improve its ISALUD, a private university in La Plata, was involved management capacity and skills. in the city’s AFC project from the beginning, and was One of the weaknesses that emerged during these part of the team that attended a second WHO meeting past eight years is that the AFC project was not incor- in Vancouver in April 2006. ISALUD was also in charge porated formally into La Plata’s local government of carrying out the La Plata AFC research, which helped structure, nor owned by any single department. Each to inform the WHO’s Guide to Age-Friendly Cities pub- improvement was pushed by NGOs. However there lished in 2007 and in turn provided the baseline assess- are more positive signs in recent years. La Plata’s town ment which informed the city’s AFC action plan that council has taken a more active role in taking the action same year. plan forward, and the Buenos Aires provincial ombuds- Since the beginning, ISALUD has worked with La man has also showed specifi c interest in championing Plata’s Elder Network (Red Mayor in Spanish) to imple- the plan at the provincial level. ment the improvement set out in the action plan. The A report issued by the La Plata Public Administration Elder network is a nonprofi t, nongovernmental organi- Ministry in 2013 detailed the improvements made in the zation (NGO) made up of volunteers who fi ght for the city since 2007. One of the most common complaints rights and interests of city’s older residents. made by older people and other groups has not been

THEJOURNAL | 69 case studies in aging

validate the newly developed AFC core indicators. Being part of the pilot in La Plata offered an invalu- able opportunity to promote the AFC program to authorities, govern- ment employees, and organizations of the city, each of which needed to be approached to provide data and many were not aware of the AFC project or plan. As a result the Buenos Aires provincial ombuds- 1 La Plata volunteers campaign man will be creating a survey to for a more accessible city for include questions to older people all ages and about the age-friendliness of 2 La Plata City Hall and their city to supplement the gaps in Moreno Plaza the data. In Argentina, as well as in other middle-income countries, the institutional weaknesses in government agencies constitute an obstacle for the advancement of the AFC project. In La Plata and else- where, the involvement of NGOs has proved invaluable. Not only for pushing forward change at the grassroots level, but in providing visibility to the impact of demo- graphic aging on everyday life in fully addressed yet: the repair of in La Plata as part of a nationwide cities. It also allows the continuity sidewalks and the construction of increase in crime. Retirees can of the project when changes in gov- ramps on the curbs have only been become targets because they keep ernment take place. • partially dealt with. And bicycle savings at home. While the local and lanes to reroute the bicycle traffi c provincial governments are trying Additional Resources: that can endanger pedestrians have to take actions to stop this increase, INDEC (National Institute for not been created. Problems with no initiatives are focused on older Statistic and Censuses), “National public transportation have not been people. While advances were made Population and Housing Census fully resolved—in particular, vehi- in the center of the city in transpor- 2010,” accessed 2014, http://www. cles lack adequate accessibility fea- tation and improvement of side- indec.gov.ar tures for older riders, and drivers are walks and crossings, neighborhoods often unfriendly and disrespectful on the outskirts have not done so MECON (National Ministry of toward older people. Another unre- well. Economy and Public Finances), solved problem is safety. Crimes In 2014, La Plata participated “Buenos Aires Province,” accessed against the elderly are increasing in the WHO Kobe Centre project to 2014, http://www.mecon.gov.ar

70 photo: luke hayward luke photo: maine, usa 1 The village of Bethel, Maine, looking toward the LEARNING White Mountains. over 65 currently account for 15 percent of the state’s FROM RURAL population, and that fi gure will grow to 25 percent or more by 2025. The state is also among the most rural; COMMUNITIES even its largest cities aren’t considered urban/metro by Peter Morelli most measures. Co-Chair, Building Age Friendly Communities The demographic destiny of the state has been a Committee, Maine Council on Aging and Manager of topic of signifi cant public discussion over the past few AARP Maine's Age- Friendly Communities program years. The Maine Aging Initiative of the Maine Council on Aging has highlighted the issues older Mainers face if The concept of building age-friendly communities is they want to age in place: transportation, housing, and spreading quickly in US cities and towns, as residents and isolation have been identifi ed as major concerns. The local leaders want to ensure that they are prepared for WHO/AARP age-friendly approach to livability issues the growing aging population. As of December 2015, 72 has been featured widely in discussions on these issues. communities nationwide have joined the World Health AARP Maine Director Lori Parham in 2013 began Organization (WHO)/AARP Network of Age-Friendly introducing towns and cities to the WHO/AARP Network Communities. Many of the early adopters were in urban of Age-Friendly Communities approach and the eight centers, but the movement is spreading quickly to rural domains of livability. In cooperation with the Maine states such as Maine, where fi ve small communities and Association of Area Agencies and with assistance from the Portland, the state’s largest city, are members of the net- John T. Gorman Foundation, Parham was able to realize work. The rural implementation of the program reveals the September 2013 publication Building a Collaborative issues and policy approaches helpful for the success of Response to Aging in Place: A Guide to Creating an Age- age-friendly programs elsewhere. Friendly Maine, One Community at a Time1. It should not be a surprise that Maine residents and A second early milestone occurred in June 2014, policy makers are looking to create communities where when the town of Bowdoinham (population 2,889) residents can age in place. The state is, by one measure, joined the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities. the oldest in the country, with a median age of 44. Maine There, the age-friendly planning initiative grew out struggles to retain and attract young persons. People of the town’s comprehensive planning process and

THEJOURNAL | 71 case studies in aging

its Advisory Committee on Aging, which leads the program. The group quickly identifi ed Patricia Oh, a local woman with both a profes- sional and academic interest in aging, as a project leader. She has shared age-friendly Bowdoinham’s experience widely in Maine and internationally. The John T. Gorman Foundation’s interest continued beyond the publi- cation. The foundation worked with Parham to fund a grant that allows AARP Maine to retain a consultant who provides technical assistance to towns pursuing age-friendly plan- ning efforts, with an emphasis on low-income areas. An early fi nding of the AARP age-friendly work was that small communities have diffi culty fi nd- ing the resources to do a commu- nity age-friendly plan. The John T. Gorman Foundation (and AARP internal resources) came to the res- cue with resources that allow AARP Maine to make small direct grants to those communities that are start- ing on an age-friendly plan. Most use 1 “The Mailing Crew” prepare the funds for a required community the Bowdoinham Public Library’s Age-Friendly Library survey. The initial one-year grant survey to go out to over 700 to support the work in Maine was residents age 60 and over extended for a second year. 2 Participants at the fi rst In the smaller towns, many Annual Aging Well(ness) differences from the larger cities Fair get chatting about have emerged. Small Maine towns recreational activities often have very few employees, Bowdoinham and they are typically devoted to 3 “Madam B’ enthralls a young administration, road maintenance, audience with their healthy and public safety. Other commu- fortunes at the Celebrate nity affairs, such as recreation and Bowdoinham event social services, are often organized by committees with no or limited

72 government affi liation. Local non- The AARP Maine offi ce uses affordable home repair and renova- profi ts play a critical role. WHO and AARP publications in tion services. In Paris (population 5,187), the providing technical assistance to Many of the recommendations committee behind the Strategic Maine’s age-friendly network com- have been implemented, includ- Plan For Market Square decided munities; however, some of the ing accessibility improvements to that improving the community for material is more suited to larger the Town Offi ce and to a waterfront local seniors should be part of its communities. The smaller towns park, where many town events are economic development strategy. It welcome the rural emphasis of the held. The volunteers have created heard about the AARP age-friendly Public Health Agency Canada's the Shipmates Senior Center, a place network, sought town approval, and publication Age-Friendly Rural and for older residents to gather, in space conducted a Paris age-friendly plan Remote Communities: A Guide2. It is donated by a church. The aging with a major survey of residents. basically a guide to gathering data in committee now sponsors many life- In Bethel (population 2,607), a the eight domains. long learning and social and recre- volunteer committee emerged from Transportation is an example of ational opportunities for residents, senior college sessions on aging a domain in which solutions almost and distributes a monthly calendar issues. A group of a dozen capable always differ between smaller com- of activities, events, and informa- volunteers has been endorsed by munities and urban centers. In tion about services. A new volunteer the town but functions quite inde- most of the rural and isolated com- driver program called Rides INC pendently from it. The committee munities in Maine there has never (Rides In Neighbors’ Cars) provides realizes the importance of contrib- been — and will never be — sched- door-to-door rides. uting to town policy making, and a uled public transportation. While If Bowdoinham’s early success key member has joined in the town’s systems exist for medical rides, is matched by other rural communi- comprehensive planning process. trips for groceries and personal ser- ties in Maine, the United States, and With its health clinic, schools, vices are almost always made by elsewhere, then age-friendly’s rural and shopping, Bethel is recog- personal vehicle. The policy solu- diffusion should be coming soon to nized as a service center for even tion has been a patchwork system a town near you. • tinier towns. It is part of a fi ve- of formal or informal volunteer 1 http://maine4a.org/image_upload/ town school administrative dis- ride networks. FINALREPORT.pdf, accessed January 14th, 2016. trict. Next door, Newry, with a Bowdoinham is the only small 2 population of 330, has an interest Maine town that has begun to http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/ alt-formats/pdf/publications/public/healthy- in the age-friendly initiative, and implement its plan, which identifi ed sante/age_friendly_rural/AFRRC_en.pdf, its select board has voted its sup- fi ve ways the town could become accessed January 14th, 2016. port. (A select board exercises lim- more age-friendly: (1) provide read- ited governance authority in the ily available information about New England town meeting sys- community events and access to tem, where all adult residents are services, (2) develop transportation the legislative body.) A completely alternatives, (3) improve access to independent effort makes little public buildings and community- sense, so AARP is working with a wide events, (4) create a central Newry activist and the Bethel com- gathering place for older residents mittee to consider how to incorpo- to meet for lifelong learning as well rate Newry into the Bethel effort, as social and recreational opportu- which may become regional. nities, and (5) help residents to fi nd

THEJOURNAL | 73 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES THE EU COVENANT Anne-Sophie Parent | SECRETARY GENERAL, AGE PLATFORM EUROPE

We need to bring the EU’s health and long-term care infrastructure into alignment with the projected increase of aging and elderly citizens.

In Europe, as in other parts of the world, sig- the European Union (EU), average healthy life nifi cant changes are expected in the popula- expectancy has actually started to decrease tion age structure: in the coming decades, the in recent years: from 2010 to 2013, on aver- total number of people ages 50 and over will age, women saw a decrease of 1.1 years and increase sharply. As life expectancy at birth is men a decrease of 0.4 years. Therefore, we expected to continue to increase—thanks to need to act to support active and healthy better living conditions, hygiene, and health aging, and we need to bring the EU’s health care—so is, unfortunately, the number of and long-term care infrastructure into align- years at the end of life expected to be spent in ment with the projected increase of aging and poor health or with functional limitations. In elderly citizens.

74 EUROPE'S AGING DEMOGRAPHICS economy”— thus enabling our societies to better cope with aging in ways that are sus- tainable and fair to all generations. 17.4% AGE has used both the European Year 30% 2012 on Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (EY2012) and the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-AHA) to raise awareness of the need to adopt and promote the concept of 2010 2060 age-friendly environments across the EU, percentage of european population aged 65+ right down to the local level. While the EY2012 helped convince policy makers and leaders to take action in the fi eld, the EIP-AHA provided a unique opportunity to mobilize a wide range Since 2008 and inspired by the World of stakeholders — namely, local and regional Health Organization’s (WHO) holistic authorities, research centers, civil society orga- approach to active aging, AGE Platform nizations, and industry — to commit to work- Europe (AGE) has been promoting age- ing together to develop innovative age-friendly friendly environments as the best way to help solutions to support longer, healthier lives. Europe overcome this unprecedented demo- Until now, many pilot solutions to sup- graphic challenge, through empowering older port active and healthy aging have been people to remain actively engaged in the labor developed in various areas of the EU, but they market and in their communities for as long have remained isolated and not scaled up, as possible. Our multifaceted actions include not even in their own countries. This means combating age discrimination and promoting that their impact in addressing the European the concept of “age-friendly environments” in demographic challenge has been limited. all realms of life: employment, transport, the Apart from a very few countries that have a built environment, urban planning, health national program on aging (often limited to and long-term care services, mainstream health and/or long-term care), the various goods and services, and many others. This governance levels that need to work together concept is sometimes called “design for all.” to support age-friendly environments have It means taking concrete action at all levels of not coordinated their actions. There has been government to: (1) remove barriers that pre- no structure at the EU level to synchronize vent people—of any age—who experience local, regional, and national actors willing functional limitations from participating on to support age-friendly environments. Local an equal basis with other citizens; and (2) or even national authorities do not have the enable everyone to age in better health and capacity to link up with a wide range of actors live independently for longer. AGE members in other countries; only an EU organization or strongly believe that age-friendly environ- authority can do that. ments will not only improve quality of life This is why — in 2013, with a large con- for our aging populations but also will help sortium of 29 partners and in response to a lower the pressure on public health and care call for proposals launched by the European budgets, create new jobs, and boost the “silver Commission — AGE submitted a funding

THEJOURNAL | 75 the eu covenant

By helping local and regional authorities in particular to meet their demographic challenges in innovative and sustainable ways, the covenant is expected to play an important role in reducing geographical inequalities and in contributing to increased healthy life expectancy in Europe.

application to set up a thematic adapting the WHO Age-Friendly network of age-friendly environ- Cities and Communities Guide to ments and launched a Covenant on the European context. Demographic Change. Together, Launched officially on we wanted to create the necessary December 7, 2015, the EU Covenant political and technical framework on Demographic Change was estab- to bring together local and regional lished as an international nonprofi t authorities — and other stakehold- association under Belgian law. It ers — willing to develop smart and is open to all interested parties — innovative age-friendly environ- that is, local, regional, and national ments. Our project, called AFE- authorities, as well as civil society INNOVNET thematic network for organizations, industries, research age-friendly environments, was centers, and universities — based selected for funding, and over the in an EU country or in a country past two years we have expanded associated with the EU HORIZON the network to some 350 stakehold- 2020 program that voluntarily com- ers, developing guidelines and tools mit to making age-friendly environ- to help public authorities build their ments a reality in their communities capacity to promote and implement and to sharing their experiences age-friendly environments and with other covenant members. Its sharing examples of good practice vision is based on the 2013 Dublin that can inspire others. We have Declaration on age-friendly cities also worked very closely with the and communities; its purpose is to WHO, in particular its Regional support longer healthy and active Offi ce for Europe, which has devel- life years by pooling and sharing oped some practical guidance for the knowledge and expertise of the

76 WHO on age-friendly environments the 190 million citizens ages 50+ liv- and by enabling interested parties to ing in the EU and to raise awareness learn from each other’s experience. of the issues that concern them most. By helping local and regional AGE was established in 2001 to give a authorities in particular to meet voice to older people in relevant EU their demographic challenges in policy debates through the active innovative and sustainable ways, participation of their representa- the covenant is expected to play tive organizations in the platform’s an important role in reducing geo- governing bodies and expert groups. graphical inequalities and in con- Since its creation, AGE’s work has tributing to increased healthy life been funded by grants from EU pro- expectancy in Europe. Given the grams and membership fees paid by Anne-Sophie Parent huge potential of Information and its member organizations. Anne-Sophie Parent is Secretary Communications Technology (ICT) AGE’s vision is that of a society General of AGE Platform Europe, a and social innovation in supporting “for all ages” based on solidarity and EU network representing directly age-friendly environments — and cooperation between generations, a 40 million people aged 50+ across by helping to mobilize local and society where everyone is empow- the EU-28 which she has been regional actors who can pick up such ered to play an active part in society leading since 2002. AGE aims to voice and promote the interests of solutions and deploy them across and enjoys equal rights and oppor- the 190 million inhabitants aged the EU — the covenant will also tunities in all stages of life regard- 50+ in the European Union. Ms. support healthy competition among less of age, sex, race or ethnic origin, Parent sits on various advisory Europe’s silver economy actors. religion or belief, social or economic committees set up by the European The covenant will largely work status, sexual orientation, physical or Commission: European Pensions Forum, European Health Policy virtually and will seize all relevant mental condition, or need for care. Forum, member of the Advisory opportunities at EU and national For more information, visit Board of Assisted Ambient Living levels—such as the Committee of www.age-platform.eu Joint Programme, of the More Years the Regions’ annual open days, EU Better Lives Joint programme, presidency events, peer reviews, Financial Services Users’ Group, Steering Group of the European and so forth—to organize meet- Innovation Partnership on Active ings and foster exchanges between and Healthy Ageing. its members. It will seek to become the EU affi liate program of the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and feed into the WHO’s Age-Friendly World online platform. •

AGE Platform Europe (AGE) is a European network composed of 150 organizations directly representing more than 40 million seniors in the European Union (EU). AGE aims to voice and promote the interests of

THEJOURNAL | 77 global innovations

HenPower: Using Animal-Assisted Therapy to Engage Seniors

“Next to blindness, loneliness is the worst thing you can HenPower. “He went from a critic to one of our greatest have; it is a big affl iction. It can destroy a lot of people. I spokespeople,” Hunter remarked. “He’s even won a know because I have been through it. At 87, hens are the Point of Light award from the Prime Minister for his work biggest thing in our lives.” —Ossie Cresswell, “hensioner” promoting the project.”

When a predominantly female nursing home in the United Commenting on the project, one hen-keeping volunteer Kingdom was challenged to more effectively incorporate stated, “I mean, I used to see him [referring to another male residents into the programming, the staffers started community member] just to say ‘Good morning,’ and now paying attention. Traditional nursing home activities like I class him as a personal friend. I’ve made a lot of friends dancing, bingo, and arts and crafts were not engaging male through HenPower—not just in this scheme, but other residents. “A staffer noticed a dementia patient constantly places. I’ve made a lot of friends and it gets me out of referring to ‘his girls,’ and discovered he was referring the house.” The social benefi ts were reported by nearly to hens he used to keep in his youth,” recalled Douglas everyone involved in HenPower. Loneliness and isolation Hunter, director of the project Equal Arts (a nonprofi t can be detrimental, with reports of loneliness being the aimed at improving the well-being of aging populations health equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Holt- through creativity and art). What began as a simple way Lunstad 2010). to get male residents more involved culminated in a social engagement project with far-reaching infl uence for all of Brenda, a participant in HenPower, was suffering from a the residents. severe bout of depression following the death of her cat of 12 years. Perhaps most devastating, though, was the fact The HenPower project aims to get the elderly more socially that Brenda realized that she lacked the capacity to care engaged by involving them in the feeding, raising, and for a personal pet. She found solace in hen keeping. During caring of hens. Resident volunteers develop a connection a school’s visit to the hens, Brenda suggested a calendar with each other in a way that they were not able to before with photographs of the children and the hens to raise the introduction of the hens. Known as “hensioners,” funds. She claimed, “I feel that I was really listened to and participants not only benefi t from the positive health that I was able to make a contribution. It might not have effects associated with this sort of activity, but some go been much, but for me it was really important.” Brenda on to become advocates for HenPower across the country. became even more involved with the hens and found Alan Richards began as a skeptic, claiming the hens would herself being social again, and her depression improved only “make a mess and attract foxes and vermin.” After almost instantly. just a few months with the hens, Alan was speaking to schools and attending national conferences to promote

78 1 A study on HenPower done by Northumbria University in 2014 found that the project combated loneliness and the loss of autonomy. The challenge of creating meaningful social engagement in communities of older persons is not new—nor are the benefi ts of animal-assisted therapy. Dogs, cats, and other animals have been used to combat the symptoms of loneliness, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, and similar conditions.

Parts of hen keeping can be physically demanding, but even residents who 2 lack the ability to assist with the manual labor can fi nd a part to play. A few of the spinoff activities include swapping ideas about caring for the hens, collecting the eggs to sell, painting pictures of hens, or simply being outside in the garden to enjoy their presence. Chicken-inspired artwork has become very popular with many residents. “We’re designing things with the chickens; we’re making fl ags at the moment…. We’ve got people on sewing machines, and we’ve got the arts and crafts and design thing,” described one volunteer. The evaluation by Northumbria University 1 Now in more than 40 found HenPower to be “improving the 3 health and well-being of older people, care homes, HenPower creatively engages reducing depression and loneliness older people in arts in older people, and reducing the activities and hen- need for antipsychotic medication.” keeping to promote Innovative projects like Henpower are health and wellbeing changing and improving the way that and reduce loneliness we approach aging. • 2-3 The ‘Hensioners’ have found such fulfi llment For more information, visit: in keeping chickens that they not only https://equalarts.org.uk/ look after them but even organise a hens Gibert Ruiz, Intern ‘roadshow’ and take AARP Office of International Affairs birds into other care homes and schools.

THEJOURNAL | 79 BUSINESS OF AGING SEEING A NEED FOR CHANGE Neil Blumenthal | CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO, WARBY PARKER photo: esther havens esther photo:

80 I knew from fi rsthand experience that it was possible to manufacture high-quality glasses for far less than the going market rate. 1 Above: The Author and his fellow Warby Parker In a world that is changing faster than ever co-founders. From left to before in human history, we navigate an right: Jeffrey Raider, Dave unbelievable amount of uncertainty and Gilboa, Andrew Hunt, Neil ambiguity. This holds true for minor things Blumenthal. (They’re upgrading iPhone software? Again!?!) 2 Left: A seamstress in India and major things (entire industries are dying wearing her new glasses and whole new industries are being born). The people best prepared to broker ambiguity and uncertainty are those who are passionate, After classes, during late-night Thai because they are the ones who will fi nd a way food dinners and over beers at the local pub, to get things done — and thrive — regardless I talked to Dave and our two close friends, of the obstacles before them. Jeff Raider and Andy Hunt, about the glasses Passion, of course, isn’t the only ingredi- problem. On a pragmatic level, it made no ent for thriving; one must also know where sense — after all, glasses had been invented his or her strengths lie. Over the course of my 700 years ago, so the technology wasn’t own work life, I’ve come to defi ne “success” as exactly arcane. I also knew from fi rsthand just that: the point where a person’s passions experience that it was possible to manufac- and strengths intersect. I’ve also found that ture high-quality glasses for far less than the people are more likely to encounter that point going market rate. at a mission-driven organization — that is, an Before enrolling at Wharton, I’d worked as organization with a clearly articulated deter- the director of a nonprofi t called VisionSpring. mination to do good in the world. VisionSpring’s mission is to distribute afford- Six years ago, I was a business school stu- able glasses to people in the developing world dent at The Wharton School of the University — and not only to distribute the glasses but of Pennsylvania. One of my friends, Dave also to train entrepreneurs in low-income Gilboa, lost a pair of glasses. When he went to communities to give eye exams, educate their buy a replacement pair, he was startled at how communities about eye health, and help cus- hard it was to fi nd a stylish, high-quality pair tomers obtain a pair of glasses that would of prescription glasses that didn’t cost as much help them learn, work, and contribute to their as a round-trip ticket to London. We were on communities. I knew fi rsthand that the prob- student budgets, and nobody in my group of lem of vision impairment is huge: 703 mil- friends was exactly jetting off to Europe on lion people worldwide could have their vision casual jaunts, so this was not only a startling restored with a pair of glasses, and 90 percent problem but a practical one. Why was it so dif- of people living with uncorrected vision are in fi cult to acquire such a basic tool for living? the developing world.

THEJOURNAL | 81 seeing a need for change photos: esther havens

I also knew that the opportu- an inconvenience. Storytime began this. My response is that it wouldn’t nity was huge. A pair of glasses can ending in headaches, and eventu- make good business sense not to do increase an individual’s productiv- ally stopped altogether when the this. If the smartest and most tal- ity by 35 percent and her monthly brothers couldn’t see well enough to ented people are drawn to work for income by 20 percent. It makes intui- read. When they were able to access companies that align with their val- tive sense: many jobs in developing eyecare and glasses, they were not ues, then how could a company with- nations — from weaving to farming only able to reinvigorate the nightly out strong values ever hope to thrive — are reliant on good vision. A pair of storytime, but they were also better in a tumultuous economy? People glasses is an incredibly simple inter- able to identify pests on their crops who are passionate will do whatever vention that can make an enormous and fi nd treatments that would it takes to get the job done, and these and immediate impact. increase their yield. are exactly the kinds of employees a One example that comes to mind Back home, my three friends company needs now more than ever. involves two brothers in their sixties and I spent hours trying to unravel Although we built the buy-a- that I met in Bangladesh. Toti and the problem. Those conversations pair, give-a-pair model into our Omprakash Tewtia did everything are what led us to launch Warby business from its very inception, we together. They started a farming busi- Parker, a company that would pro- knew that it wasn’t enough. My three ness together and raised their families duce amazing prescription eyewear cofounders (yep, those same guys together. (Between the two of them, at affordable prices — $95, including from Wharton) and I put our heads they now have 15 grandchildren.) prescription lenses — while distrib- together and mapped out a plan for When I met them, the Tewtia brothers uting a pair to someone in need for how we could make Warby Parker a had three generations living in their every pair sold. We started the com- business that would make us excited homes — kids everywhere, playing pany in 2010, and today we’re proud to come to work every day. Coming and laughing. It was a lively scene. to have distributed well over 1 mil- from the world of nonprofi ts, I knew As they grew older, their vision lion pairs to people in need. how important it was that my work began to decline. When the high- We’re often asked how it’s possi- feel meaningful, and my cofounders light of your day is reading to your ble — or, rather, how it could possibly felt the same way. The ultimate goal: grandchildren, this is more than just make “good business sense”— to do carve out a place that would never,

82 I believe that businesses will become increasingly mission-driven as the pace of change speeds up.

1 Community Empowerment Solutions entrepreneurs arranging glasses for sale in Guatemala

2 Toti and Omprakash Tewtia

3 A glasses customer in India ever tempt us to hit the snooze but- a macro level, ensuring that our fac- ton when we woke up at 7 a.m. tories are audited by a reliable third Out of those initial intentions party to guarantee fair working con- grew our stakeholder-centric frame- ditions. And fi nally, when it comes work, which holds that every deci- to the environment, we don’t mess sion we make at Warby Parker must around: Warby Parker is one of the take our four stakeholders into only carbon-neutral eyewear brands account: customers, employees, on earth. the environment, and the commu- Although it sounds simple to nity at large. When it comes to cus- adopt a stakeholder-centric philoso- tomers, we rely on the old golden phy, it is actually fairly radical in the rule and strive to treat them the corporate world, where, legally, the way we’d want to be treated (this shareholder has primacy. But I don’t includes small things, like free ship- think it will remain an anomaly ping and returns, and big things, much longer. When my co-CEO Dave like delivering exceptional value and and I interview corporate job candi- über-well-trained customer experi- dates — and we still interview each Neil Blumenthal ence associates). When it comes to one — we hear, again and again, that employees, we build a work culture the reason people want to work at Neil Blumenthal is a co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, a that nurtures curiosity, rewards cre- Warby Parker is our mission. I believe transformative lifestyle brand ativity, and provides endless learn- that businesses will become increas- that offers designer eyewear at a ing opportunities (classes, training ingly mission-driven as the pace of revolutionary price, while leading sessions, book clubs, speakers, and change speeds up. Companies that the way for socially-conscious beyond). Warby Parker employees hope to survive in an uncertain world businesses. also engage with our communities will have to prove themselves worthy on a local level — volunteering at like- of the talent they attract. • minded organizations — and also on

THEJOURNAL | 83 BUSINESS OF AGING IMPROVING RETIREMENT READINESS Alex Wynaendts | CEO, AEGON and Catherine Collinson | PRESIDENT, TRANSAMERICA INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AEGON CENTER FOR LONGEVITY AND RETIREMENT

What is certain is that the need for individuals and families to play a greater role in saving and preparing for a long retirement is only set to increase.

Today, people are living longer certain is that the need for individu- than at any other time in history. als and families to play a greater role While this gift of increased longev- in saving and preparing for a long ity is a cause for celebration, it also retirement is only set to increase. At poses profound and far-reaching the same time, this shift in responsi- challenges for society. Retirement bility is also creating unprecedented can now last 25 years or more; opportunities for fi nancial services combined with global population companies to meet customer needs. aging, this situation is putting a Aegon exists to help people severe strain on retirement sys- achieve a lifetime of fi nancial secu- tems around the world. rity. But helping customers address How reforms will be imple- their fi nancial future can be chal- mented to ensure the sustainability lenging, and the reality is that retire- of government pensions and ben- ment and pensions are not things efi t programs is uncertain. What is people think about on a daily basis.

84 HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FULLY RETIRE WITH A LIFESTYLE YOU CONSIDER COMFORTABLE?

90 VERY/EXTREMELY CONFIDENT

80 NOT CONFIDENT

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DO YOU THINK THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF RETIREES WILL BE BETTER OFF OR WORSE OFF THAN THOSE CURRENTLY IN RETIREMENT?

90 BETTER OFF

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THEJOURNAL | 85 improving retirement readiness

workers, employers and, for the fi rst This research is frequently time in 2015, retirees. An important research study referenced by the media, published by Aegon’s Center for Longevity and Retirement is the and informs public policy Retirement Readiness Survey 2015: Inspiring a World of Habitual Savers. makers on matters related Its main fi nding is that there exists a cohort of workers who are well pre- to enhancing workplace pared for retirement — the so-called habitual savers. These workers, who always make sure they are saving, benefi ts and retirement are also more active in planning for retirement, and are more likely to security. describe themselves to be in bet- ter health than those not saving for The extent of this lack of interest and Second, that everyone deserves the retirement. This fi nding highlights understanding about preparing for opportunity to make informed deci- an opportunity to convert non- retirement differs by country, with sions about matters that can improve savers into habitual savers, thereby our research showing “retirement their health and wealth and, ulti- improving their fi nancial situation readiness” is highest in India and mately, to enjoy a secure retirement. and potentially their quality of life lowest in Japan. This research is frequently refer- in retirement. For some individu- We are passionately committed enced by the media, and informs als, a higher discretionary income to creating and sharing value for our public policy makers on matters can inspire increased saving. For customers, our local communities, related to enhancing workplace ben- others, simply making it more con- and the global community. To fulfi ll efi ts and retirement security. It also venient to save through availability this role we need to draw insights serves as a basis for educational out- of employer-sponsored retirement from across the world, and for this reach activities in countries where plans and automatic features can reason we established two research Aegon has a presence. help bring about positive change. organizations to help inform a global Aegon Center for Longevity The 16thAnnual Transamerica dialogue on aging, longevity, and and Retirement and Transamerica Retirement Survey offers a unique retirement security: Aegon Center for Center for Retirement Studies con- perspective about Americans during Longevity and Retirement, based in duct annual surveys to assess their working lives and into retire- The Netherlands; and Transamerica retirement-related expectations ment, and has been the source of Institute®, a nonprofi t private foun- and levels of preparedness, provide a number of publications. One of dation comprising Transamerica demographic segmentation analy- them, Retirement Throughout the Center for Retirement Studies® and sis, and offer recommendations to Ages: Expectations and Preparations Transamerica Center for Health help people improve their retire- of American Workers, reveals the Studies®, based in the United States. ment outlook. The Aegon Retirement generational differences, issues, and Plans are also under way to launch Readiness Survey, now in its fourth opportunities of workers in their the Mongeral Aegon Longevity year, encompasses workers, retir- 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and older. Institute in Brazil in 2016. ees, and homemakers in 15 coun- Workers in their 20s and 30s, in par- Aegon Center for Longevity tries around the world, spanning ticular, have strong savings rates but and Retirement and Transamerica the Americas, Europe, Asia, and need to learn more about investing Institute’s research and outreach are Australia. The Annual Transamerica for retirement. “Financially frazzled” fi rmly rooted on two basic principles. Retirement Survey, one of the larg- workers in their 40s are largely disen- First, that there is no such thing as est and longest-running surveys of gaged from the subject of retirement an “average” individual or family. its kind in the United States, includes at the very age when they should be

86 fully focused. Workers in their 50s important role through conducting and 60s are planning to work past the research and developing the right age of 65 to address savings short- products. The solution, however, falls but are without a backup plan lies in working together, and we are if forced into retirement sooner than enthusiastic participants in this expected. Another publication, The global debate. • Alex Wynaendts Current State of Retirement: Pre- Retiree Expectations and Retiree Aegon is an international life insur- Alexander R. Wynaendts is CEO and Chairman of the Executive and Realities, illustrates the effects of ance, pensions, and asset manage- Management Board of Aegon, a the shifting retirement landscape, ment company with businesses in leading provider of life insurance, together with the challenges faced over 20 countries in the Americas, pensions and asset management by age 50+ workers and retirees, such Europe, and Asia. Aegon employs operating in more than 20 markets as inadequate savings, employment 28,000 people and serves mil- internationally. Appointed to his current position in 2008, he has issues, and the need to make diffi cult lions of customers worldwide. spent over 30 years in international lifestyle tradeoffs in order to help www.aegon.com fi nance and insurance. ensure that their savings last their Aegon Center for Longevity lifetimes. and Retirement is a collaboration of A major implication of global experts assembled by Aegon, with population aging is the increasing representation from Europe, the need for caregiving and for care- Americas, and Asia. Its mission is to givers. Aegon Center for Longevity conduct research, educate the pub- and Retirement and Transamerica lic, and inform a global dialogue Institute, together with Aegon and on trends, issues, and opportuni- Transamerica, collaborate with ties surrounding longevity, popula- other nonprofi ts and academic orga- tion aging, and retirement security. nizations focused on caregiving and www.aegon.com/thecenter aging, including Global Coalition on Transamerica Institute® is a Aging, Leyden Academy on Vitality nonprofi t, private foundation dedi- and Ageing, Milken Institute’s cated to identifying, researching, Catherine Collinson Center for the Future of Aging, and educating the public about Catherine Collinson is President ReACT Coalition, Stanford Center on retirement, health coverage, and of Transamerica Institute, a Longevity, and WISER. In collabora- other relevant fi nancial issues fac- nonprofi t, private foundation dedicated to conducting research tion with MIT AgeLab, Transamerica ing Americans today. Transamerica and educating the public about published The Caregiver’s Guide to Institute comprises two divisions: retirement, health coverage, and Financial Planning in the Shadow of Transamerica Center for Retirement other relevant fi nancial issues Dementia, which deals thoughtfully Studies® and Transamerica Center facing Americans today. With two with what is, of course, a very sensi- for Health Studies®. Transamerica decades of retirement industry experience, she has become tive topic. Institute is funded by contributions a nationally recognized voice No single entity alone — be it from Transamerica Life Insurance on retirement trends. She also employers, governments, nonprofi ts, Company and its affi liates, and serves as Executive Director of social enterprises, or fi nancial insti- may receive funds from unaffi liated the Aegon Center for Longevity tutions — can solve all the challenges third parties. For more information and Retirement. In 2015, she joined the Advisory Board of the around global aging and fi nancing about the institute, please refer to Milken Institute’s Center for the retirement. We, for our part, play an www.transamericainstitute.org. Future of Aging.

THEJOURNAL | 87 BUSINESS OF AGING HEYDAY FOR OLDER KOREANS Benjamin Hong | CEO OF CIGNA KOREA (LINA)

The senior landscape is changing rapidly. According to the recent report from the World Health Organization, For the 50+ age the number of people ages 60 and older is expected to double by 2050 — a fi gure infl uenced by rising life expec- group in Korea, tancy and declining fertility rates. The aging population in Korea is one of the fastest growing in the world — the Cigna Korea percentage of elderly (those persons over age 65) was 13.1 percent in 2015, and that percentage is expected to ambitiously started grow 37.4 percent by 2050. Although aging presents a great burden for existing a membership models of social support, it also represents a triumph of new opportunities for the silver economy. Aging popula- tions have strong needs for healthy lifestyle and social program/service to activities that are currently unmet. Half of the retired population lacks a clear idea of how to spend their support members’ lengthened lifespans after retirement, primarily due to lack of support systems and information. active senior days. For the 50+ age group in Korea, Cigna Korea1 ambi- tiously started a membership program/service that pro- vides a communication platform to support members’ Heyday2 offers its members owned and curated active senior days, with a goal to become the eminent content, good and services provided via affi nity part- brand for that group. ners and is developing customized insurance plans. Confronting recent insurance industry challenges To enforce Heyday’s position in holistically supporting (i.e., strengthened regulations, severe market compe- its members’ well-being — social well-being, lifestyle tition, changing customer behavior), Cigna Korea rec- and travel, and fi nancial security — we will continue to ognized a way for it to differentiate itself. After a mass build membership benefi ts to enhance members’ expe- database leak in 2014, customers became concerned, rience and interaction with Heyday. and regulations were strengthened around privacy For Cigna Korea, Heyday is an emerging new DTC information. A need for an independently owned data- (Direct To Customer) channel to secure its own mem- base acquisition platform — as opposed to relying on a bership base, reducing potential risks around privacy third-party mass database exchange — was found to be a information, and to serve as a platform to acquire loyal crucial factor as the next growth model. To support cus- and qualifi ed prospects cost-effectively. tomers to make the purchasing decisions themselves, Heyday is a new initiative with great customer- Cigna Korea had to hold a stronger brand, offering dif- engagement potential. (1) Heyday offers discount ferentiated benefi ts to support their choice. This is how services for health checkups and free samples from we came up with the idea of an engagement platform for top-market players. (2) Heyday’s owned media — its the age 50+ population. online contents platform as well as its offl ine magazine

88 1 Members receive Heyday, a life care magazine for the 50+.

2 Heyday coordinates diverse offl ine events such as "Heyday Camp," a program that provides stress relief to mental health workers.

— provides meaningful engagement with sponsors and key opinion leaders in the country. (3) Heyday coor- dinates diverse offl ine community events for target’s healthy life, for social contribution and participation. (4) In partnership with Korail, Korea’s offi cial train busi- ness line under Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Heyday offers member-exclusive transpor- tation cards. The Korail deal includes transportation passes and parking lot and car/bicycle sharing discount services. Cigna’s corporate vision is “to help the people we serve improve their health, well-being, and a sense of Benjamin Hong security.” To execute Cigna’s business focus for cus- Ben Hong as CEO of LINA(Cigna tomer centricity, Cigna Korea developed Heyday, which Korea) has successfully led years creates new value and contributes to a healthy society. of business growth and expansion Heyday is off to a good start and aspire for Heyday to as an innovative market leader. He brings 30 years of diverse, multi- grow as an eminent brand for the 50+ Koreans. • national business experience in 1 Cigna Korea(LINA) is part of the Cigna Corporation, a global health service the fi nancial services industry, company with more than 220 years of experience, holding more than 86 mil- including Sun Life Financial, lion customers in over 30 countries. Cigna Korea is a life insurance company MetLife, and Prudential, with in Korea, with expertise in innovative products and TM business with sustain- a primary focus on the global able growth. insurance marketplace. Ben attended Baruch College, The 2 Heyday is a membership program/service Cigna Korea offers for the age 50+, to support the well-being of members holistically in health, social well-being, City University of New York, USA, lifestyle and travel, and fi nancial security. where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in marketing management and a Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance.

THEJOURNAL | 89 BUSINESS OF AGING GROWING OLDER IN AUSTRALIA Philip Taylor and Michael O’Neill | NATIONAL SENIORS AUSTRALIA

and 97 years for women by mid cen- As Australia ages, the social tury, compared with 82 and 84 years today. Remarkably, there are pro- and economic challenges— jected to be 40,000 Australian cente- narians by 2050. The proportion of and the oft-overlooked the population ages 65 to 84 years is projected to more than double, from 3 million today to 7 million, and business opportunities— those over 85 years old are projected to represent 5 percent of the popula- are obvious. tion, or nearly 2 million. Also of note, the Australian workforce is getting According to Australia’s national older. For instance, workforce par- anthem, we, its people, “are young ticipation among those ages 65 and and free,” but increasingly ours is an older is projected to increase mark- aging society, with potentially pro- edly, from 13 percent presently to 17 found economic and social impli- percent. Therefore, as Australia ages, cations. Australia’s demographic the social and economic challenges landscape is set to alter dramati- — and the oft-overlooked business cally. Its population is predicted to opportunities — are obvious. rise from 24 million today to 40 mil- This gargantuan shift in the lion by the middle of the century. As demographic profi le of Australia will noted by the Australian federal gov- alter the nature of advocacy on behalf ernment in its 2015 Intergenerational of older people — from serving the Report 1, Australians are living longer, needs of, arguably, a disadvantaged having one of the longest life expec- minority to representing the interests tancies in the world. The report con- of an increasingly vocal majority with siders what Australia’s population considerable social and economic will look like in the middle of this infl uence. National Seniors Australia century. Life expectancy at birth is (NSA) is the consumer lobby for older projected to reach 95 years for men Australians and the fourth-largest

90 organization of its kind in the world. It growing older is viewed by society. is almost 40 years old and boasts more Older people already exert consider- than 200,000 members, 140 branches, able power as consumers, with the and 70 employees. Its core mission “silver dollar” contributing enor- is to further the interests of citizens mously to the Australian economy; ages 50 and older and to create a bet- as the population ages, this infl u- ter place for all Australians to grow ence will only increase. NSA is col- old in. As a membership organization, laborating with the superannuation NSA is able to infl uence government industry, health care providers, and policy at both the state and federal the retail sector in order to help them levels. NSA undertakes considerable better meet the needs and aspirations advocacy on behalf of Australia’s of older people, and plans much more Philip Taylor “over 50s” in diverse areas of pub- work in collaboration with industry. Philip Taylor is director of lic policy, such as health care, social For instance, as one of the region’s research at National Seniors security and tax reform, and labor major economies, Australia is well Australia, the consumer lobby market policy. It also has an active placed to contribute to increasing the for Australians aged 50 and research program — jointly funded by well-being of older people living in over. He has held several senior NSA and the Australian government our neighboring nations. Therefore, university positions. He has a PhD in Applied Psychology from — that tackles issues of importance NSA is planning work that will con- Cranfi eld University. to older Australians. The outcomes sider the potential role of Australian of this research have included the business in meeting the needs of development of online tools to (a) aging Asia. support individuals as they plan for A changed perspective on popu- their retirement, (b) help employers lation aging—from one centered on in managing an aging workforce, and a crisis of welfare to one that con- (c) measure the economic and social siders the potential economic and contribution of older Australians. social opportunities — shifts the NSA’s activities increas- debate from dependency in old age ingly emphasize the opportuni- to active contributions to society. ties presented by population aging. There remains important work to be According to the Australian govern- done in support of vulnerable older ment’s Intergenerational Report: Australians, of whom there are many, Michael O'Neill “Harnessing future opportunities to but by focusing on how business can support innovation, adopt new tech- better serve the older consumer, NSA Michael O’Neill is the chief nologies, facilitate foreign trade and believes that a change in perceptions executive of National Seniors Australia. Before joining the investment, and foster competition of older people will follow. • organization in 2006, he headed can boost future productivity growth up representative bodies in the 1 The Treasury (2015), 2015 Intergenerational Report, and living standards.” NSA believes Commonwealth of Australia. agricultural and mining sectors. that greater industry attention to Michael has an economics degree designing products and services from the University of Queensland. with older people in mind could not only contribute to economic growth but also, importantly, change how

THEJOURNAL | 91 BUSINESS OF AGING THE AARP INNOVATION FUND Scott Frisch | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, AARP

AARP needed to do all we could to become an effective outside force to encourage needed investment.

Isaac Newton’s fi rst law of motion States and throughout the devel- The AARP Innovation Fund will tells us that a body at rest will remain oped world, thus creating among provide startup capital to innova- at rest unless acted on by an outside those who are ages 50 and older vast tive companies. We are partnering force. We believe that our fi rst-of- new needs and interests — along with JP Morgan Asset Management its-kind AARP Innovation Fund will with vast new opportunities for pri- in this initiative and will be com- provide the outside force needed to vate enterprise. mitting $40 million to the fund over spur private-sector investment in Better nutrition, medical care, 3 years. We are focusing the fund on innovative products and services and lifestyle choices are offering us three health care–related areas. focused on improving the lives of an opportunity for an additional 25, Health care is an area where the people ages 50 and older as well as 30, or more years of being indepen- needs of our 50+ populations and those of their families. dent, active, and creative. It really is the opportunities for investment We all know the world is aging. no exaggeration to say that a whole converge. Our 50+ citizens will be Think about this: of everyone who new life stage is being added to our searching for new and better tools ever lived to age 65 since the dawn lives between middle age and what and technology to help them stay of humans, two-thirds are walking we used to think of as “old age.” healthy, independent, and produc- the earth today! By 2050, 22 out of But we will need more solutions tive as they age. Many of the innova- every 100 people on earth will be and options to help get us there, tions necessary to meet the needs of ages 65 and over. By 2030, the num- and today we’re not seeing enough our 50+ populations are only in the ber of Americans 65 and older will private-sector investments and early stages of development — or do have nearly doubled to some 72 mil- innovations that are focused on our not yet exist. lion—that’s 1 in every 5 of us. One 50+ populations. Here in the United States, our in 3 Americans will have celebrated We decided that the interests 50+ community accounts for $3.1 their 50th birthday. of our members would not allow us trillion in consumer spending, What too many have yet to real- to sit back and wait. AARP needed and $1.6 trillion of that amount is ize, however, is the fact that the to do all we could to become an on health care. Health-technology way people are aging is also chang- effective outside force to encourage products and services could benefi t ing dramatically here in the United needed investment. as many as 160 million consumers

92 1 AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins (left) and Kathy Rosa, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Private Equity Group, JP Morgan Asset Management (right) at the launch of the AARP Innovation Fund

and represent $30 billion in new rev- JP Morgan Asset Management’s enue over the next 5 years, according Endowments and Foundations Group to a Parks Associates report1. and Private Equity Group have been Specifi cally, the three health designated to review potential invest- care–related areas of our focus are the ment opportunities. AARP then following: reviews each recommendation to ensure that it meets the three invest-  Aging at Home — Development ment themes and complies with of products and services that AARP’s public policies. AARP also has use technology to enable older the opportunity to recommend com- adults to continue living in their panies to JP Morgan for its evaluation. homes safely and affordably, such Companies in the fund’s portfolio as: home sensor activity track- have access to AARP’s knowledge and ing; hearing and vision health; distribution channels. mobility assistance; meal plan, The recipient of the fi rst invest- delivery, and cooking solutions; ment made by the AARP Innovation social communities; and physical Fund, announced in December 2015, augmentation devices. was One Medical Group, a US leader in technology-enabled primary care.  Convenience and Access to Health In addition to operating physical loca- Care — Advancement of products tions, One Medical Group uses broad- and services that enable 50+ con- band and mobile technology to give sumers to adopt positive health its members virtual access to health Scott Frisch behaviors, such as: telemedicine, care providers and resources through Scott Frisch, AARP’s Chief consumer diagnostics, and con- features such as same-day appoint- Operating Offi cer and head sumer care transparency tools. ment booking, prescription renewals, of the Operations & Finance messaging, and digital dermatology. Group, is responsible for AARP’s fi nancial activities, information  Preventative Health — Expansion One Medical will use the investment technology (IT), human resources of the market for products and to expand its digital health offerings. services, data and analytics, services that help 50+ consum- Companies from around the world and administrative and support ers prevent the onset of serious are eligible. For more information, visit services. He ensures that health conditions, such as: diet the AARP Innovation Fund website at the operational and fi nancial infrastructure of AARP runs and nutrition management, stress www.aarp.org/innovationfund. • smoothly and effi ciently. and emotion management/ther- 1 AARP and Parks Associates, Health Innovation apy, fi tness apps and programs, Frontiers Report, September 2014 integrated health engagement incentives, and cognitive and brain health.

THEJOURNAL | 93 global innovations

Romeo Cares for Juliet? French Led Project Gives Robots a Role in Caregiving

An often-noted future challenge of demographic change is ability, and to match both robots’ communication abilities. the gap created by a decreasing labor supply for caregiving The result should be a 140 cm-high biped humanoid robot jobs and an increasing demand for workers in the sector. in a silver-blue friendly design; it will be able to walk, talk, In the US, for example, the number of direct caregiver jobs and socially interact with people and react to their feelings is projected to increase by 21 percent by 2022, while the and moods. In summary, Romeo’s purpose is to assist in a number of likely workers will be constrained and lower. variety of tasks, including providing general companionship, suggesting activities for people to do, and reminding people In addition to improvements in medicine, the reorganization to take medicine or to keep daily appointments. It is also of work, and the development of services for older persons, being designed to help with housework, pick up dropped robotic applications may contribute to a better, safer life objects, serve food and drinks, or even assist with cooking. for older persons and could help to reduce pressure on If successful, Romeo could help older people to feel secure— caregiving structures and their employees. it is able to call for help if needed—and to live independently.

Robots are already common in modern industrial However, Romeo also highlights the technological production chains, and this trend is now shifting toward boundaries of such a project. According to Rodolphe Gelin, the service sector. According to the World Robotics Survey chief scientifi c offi cer of Aldebaran, the main challenge in 2015, global sales of privately used service robots will reach the development process is a reliable and balanced walk, about 35 million units by 2018. Within this growing sector, which is based on the increased size of the robot and its the market for robotic assistance for people with support inertial consequences. Additionally, social acceptance by needs is expected to see a substantial increase within the users is key for interactive companion robots. Current tests next 20 years; it already grew by 542 percent in 2014 alone. showed that user skepticism in the beginning diminishes after using the robot. A new evaluation focused on older One example of this progress in robotics is the people is currently in development. collaboration among 16 international specialist-robotic fi rms and institutes that are working on the project Currently, Romeo is just a research development “Romeo.” It is led by French company Aldebaran Robotics, platform, though results of the Romeo tests would lead which already has two advanced service robots on the to even more advanced versions of NAO and Pepper. market: Pepper and NAO. This is just one of many steps toward increasing the role of technology to assist with caregiving. However, Pepper, a social robot in a young humanoid shape (almost as the developers make clear, Romeo and its offshoots 4 feet tall), is designed to engage in conversation and to shouldn’t replace human workers; they should provide recognize and react to people’s emotions. At 52cm, Nao is additional assistance when human caregivers aren’t able smaller, but it mimics humanlike movement—unlike Pepper, to be around full time. The developers believe that a robot which rolls on wheels. Pepper has had some success in the could never fully replace human interaction—and it should customer service market, and NAO has worked well as an not try to do so. • education engagement tool. For more information, visit: http://projetromeo.com/en Romeo aims to combine the practical side of NAO’s humanlike movement and Pepper’s emotion detection Jan Wilhelm Ahmling, Intern, AARP Office of International Affairs

94 1 photos: aldebaran robotics

2 1 Aldebaran robots (l-r) Nao, Romeo, and Pepper

2 Romeo’s purpose is to assist in a variety of tasks, including providing general companionship, suggesting activities for people to do, and reminding people to take medicine or to keep daily appointments.

THEJOURNAL | 95 the big picture

THE UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY IN AGING David Rothkopf | CEO AND EDITOR, THE FP GROUP

older workers are positioned to bring their unequaled experience to the global marketplace in ways that were once impossible. Rethinking our views New technologies and the shift from a manufactur- ing to a service economy mean that, rather than retiring, on issues like retirement older workers can now continue to add value for many age and the distribution more years, thus contributing to economic growth in ways unanticipated by economists — growth that could, of social benefi ts in fact, help pay for the retirement health care needs of will help to create a others. Actually, it is not inconceivable that older work- ers could be the ultimate answer to America’s “retire- system adapted to ment problem.” the new reality. In 2000, there were 35 million Americans over the age of 65; today, there are nearly 50 million. By 2030, it is estimated there will be more than 70 million. Although citizens in this age range may have been viewed as a bur- den on the economy in the past, today it is reasonable to see them as a potential new workforce of tens of millions — a national resource that can enable us to actually Sometimes political inertia can be our friend. For capture and take advantage of accumulated experience decades it has been next to impossible to have a rational that in the past was simply disappearing with retire- conversation about retirement health care fi nance in ment. Further, through telecommuting, even those for the United States — the subject was both too big and too whom mobility is an issue will be able to contribute sensitive for polarized political parties to discuss con- in meaningful ways. New programs embracing older structively. The problem grew as Americans aged and workers as trainers can add value to existing businesses. the funding defi cits infl ated. Older workers pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities Then, something remarkable happened: progress. is also a growing likely contributor to the economy: in Thanks to advances in medicine, improved health care, 2014 alone, 35 percent of new businesses were started by and new technologies, it has become clear that aging people over 50. Americans, like older populations everywhere, are now Naturally, older Americans who continue to work on the verge of becoming one of the most powerful new not only generate economic growth but also provide a economic forces on the planet. Rather than retiring, growing tax base that can help offset retirement health

96 care costs. We also know that work- ing longer is shown to aid in posi- tive physical, mental, and cognitive health. And of course, they will be consuming more. The result is a win–win. Of course, such an adjustment requires that the political classes who have avoided addressing these issues — even when they loomed pri- marily as threats — be open to dis- cussing how the growth of our cadre of most experienced workers repre- sents a new opportunity. It means rethinking our views on issues like retirement age and the distribution of social benefi ts so that a system adapted to the new reality is both 1 Presenting Foreign Policy's more equitable and more fi scally massive changes in life expectancy 2015 Transformational Trends responsible. that have taken place since the and Global Thinkers Further, as careers expand in system was established?” was con- duration from what was common at sidered a kind of third rail in US the end of the 19th century — per- politics. The inability to address this haps 25 to 30 years — to what may issue has taken a toll and has created be twice that, we will have to con- a generation of Americans confused sider the need to rethink the nature and concerned about what they can of education. Lifelong learning is the expect in the future. best way to ensure that every gen- Now that new developments eration—not only the young—have offer massive upsides as well as the tools to compete and to contrib- challenges, perhaps it will be less ute to society. contentious—better yet, it should Tensions may be part of this stimulate creativity among policy inertia as well. Younger workers may makers. While this idea seems like feel that they are being edged out of an oxymoron in our current politi- opportunities because workers who cal environment, as noted above, might have once left the workforce the private sector is not waiting to do not. They may also resent the adapt. And as it sees the opportuni- David Rothkopf idea of reverse agism, where their ties being created and develops new lack of experience is seen as an even models and modalities of work, his- David J. Rothkopf is CEO and greater burden (especially as some tory suggests that the private sector editor of the FP Group, where he oversees all editorial, publishing, older workers offer less-expensive will drag the political class into the events, and other operations of labor to companies because they are future with it. the company, which publishes working part time or have different There is no reason to expect Foreign Policy magazine. He is also expectations and needs). that this will be an easy transition. the President and CEO of Garten In the past, discussing even a But both history and progress sug- Rothkopf, an international advisory company specializing in global simple common-sense question like gest that it is a transition that will political risk, energy, resource, “Should our Social Security retire- come whether we are prepared for it technology and emerging markets ment age be adjusted to refl ect the or not. • issues based in Washington, D.C.

THEJOURNAL | 97 the big picture

The Future of Accessibility Innovation: Improving Quality of Life Through New Technology

The 2015 FP Global Demographics Student Essay Contest, underwritten by AARP, invited college and graduate students from around the world to participate in an intergenerational discussion about the opportunities presented by a rapidly aging world. Dozens of students from nearly every continent shared their ideas with FP. The winning essay is presented below.

The development of accessibility innovation products devices, vision and reading aids, and mobility aids. and services is the greatest opportunity presented by There are numerous products already on the market the aging trend to the global community. Not only is that are designed with accessibility standards in mind. the market opportunity tremendously attractive, but Handheld computers and tablets, sensory integration the resources available to entrepreneurs and innova- devices, learning software, training software, scan- tors — ranging from start-ups to small- and midsize ning/reading pens, and speech-recognition software all enterprises to multinational corporations — to develop assist seniors with digital learning. products and services aimed at people with disabili- Sophisticated hearing aids with digital micropro- ties have never been better. Age directly correlates with cessors for audio impairment, and Braille translators, disability: As overall personal health declines with the displays, screen magnifi ers, and speech recognition development of acute and chronic diseases, such as dia- tools for the visually impaired, are increasingly com- betes, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and respira- mon. Home lifts, stair climbers, and door openers can tory problems, disability rates increase. Seniors with a be found in most seniors’ homes and retirement resi- mobility disability may have diffi culty walking up and dences. Innovation in this industry is driven largely by down stairs, standing in one spot for prolonged periods, private sector research laboratories and nonprofi t insti- or moving from one room to another. Agility disabilities tutions, which continuously develop new products. include diffi culty bending down, dressing or undress- Leading American accessibility institution MIT ing, getting in and out of bed, or grasping small objects. AgeLab USA in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has recently Hearing and vision disabilities include problems hear- unveiled the Age Gain Now Empathy System (AGNES), ing or seeing other people, even in close contact. The a robotic suit that can be worn and has been cali- primary goal and benefi t of accessibility innovation brated to approximate the motor, visual, fl exibility, products is to allow the aging global population to con- and strength requirements of a person in their mid- tinue participating in the social and cultural life of their 70s within retail, transportation, home, community, local community. and workplace environments. Another example is the The major categories that present the greatest mar- renowned iDAPT Centre for Rehabilitation Research- ket opportunity for accessibility innovation are edu- Toronto Rehabilitation Centre, which has focused on cational/instructional devices, hearing impairment winter-footwear injuries related to falling on ice or

98 snow, a growing problem as the population ages. Toronto Rehab has designed winter boots and anti-slip devices with specialized insoles that enhance balance by height- ening sole sensation for seniors. These novel, sophisticated products are the result of countless hours of research, studies, and testing, but as the number of elderly people approaches 2 billion globally, the growing demand means that more labs and institutions, with greater funding, will be required to keep pace with changing needs. Besides needing shorter time- lines for implementation in the 1 Filip Borovsky, FP's Global future, accessibility products are Demographics Student Essay also needed in developing coun- Contest Winner with Debra tries, which are acutely underrep- Whitman, Chief Public Policy Offi cer, AARP (left) and David resented; they must be made more Rothkopf, CEO and Editor, The affordable to elderly people who FP Group (right) do not have suffi cient disposable income; and they must be produced using economies-of-scale produc- tion principles. Komodo OpenLab is an ideal example of what a feasible accessibility fi rm can look like in the This software app can be down- with disabilities are highly moti- future. Komodo develops inclusive loaded freely using a smartphone vated to spend money in areas that technologies to facilitate the daily or tablet. signifi cantly improve their qual- lives of people with disabilities. Tecla’s global success can be ity of life or that contribute to their The company’s fi rst product, Tecla, attributed to several key factors. independence and social connectiv- developed through open-source The fi rst is that it is a very special- ity. Many seniors with disabilities collaboration, involves a set of oper- ized, niche product that very few have signifi cant disposable income, ating system tools that helps make fi rms produce, but it can be trans- as they no longer care for children mobile devices more accessible. ferred across the general accessible- and may already own a home. The Tecla allows people with dis- technology market. A second factor potential value of designing and abilities to control their mobile is that Komodo OpenLab steers creating innovative products and device using interfaces they are around funding agencies and mar- services that address the needs of already familiar with, such as keting fi rms that decide whether a people with disabilities makes it a wheelchair-driving controls or product is necessary or desirable, massive market opportunity. • adapted switches. The set consists of directly targeting the actual end a hardware component, sold online user and consumer. Filip Borovsky, Winner, FP Global at a reasonable price, which makes Investing in accessibility inno- Demographics Student Essay Contest and it possible to connect switches or vation for an aging population is not Undergraduate Student, Munk School of wheelchair driving controls to the only a morally and ethically appro- Global Affairs at the University of Toronto mobile device and subsequently priate public policy, but it’s the smart interact with a software component. thing to do for the future. People

THEJOURNAL | 99 the big picture THE PROMISE OF AGING Debra B. Whitman | CHIEF PUBLIC POLICY OFFICER, AARP

100 At least six months before the big day, my children start looking forward to Importantly, we need their birthdays. They know that with each passing year, they not only will get vision: Realizing the a delicious cake, they also will have more opportunities and responsibilities. But promise of aging is about that same perspective of growth and possibilities too often is lost as we age, no less than reweaving and aging is viewed as a “problem” with which we must deal. the fabric of society. But aging is not a problem. It is a wonderful opportunity. In the last century alone, for much of humanity, life young, that fail to reap the benefi ts of has been extended by 35 years or even intergenerational collaborations, and that more. And by the year 2030, globally, assume older people cannot contribute. there will be more adults age 60 and up In our vision, social policy should than children under 10. Nations have no promote wellness, engagement and choice but to start planning for longevity. productivity throughout the lifespan. Yet our society has not adapted. People of every generation should have Policymakers have not yet devised the the opportunity to interact and work kinds of supports and options that make together. Experience should be valued sense for longer lives, and individuals and utilized for everyone’s benefi t. do not yet know how to arrange their Retirement should not be the end of lives to make the most of these added an individual’s productive life. For a great years. However, if we view individual many people with the ability and desire and population aging through the lens of to stay active, retirement is an outdated growth and possibilities, we have much concept that no longer makes sense. to gain. Whether as a paid employee or unpaid Importantly, we need vision: volunteer, many older individuals want to Realizing the promise of aging is about be productive and meaningfully engaged. no less than reweaving the fabric of This cannot happen unless societies society. We need to imagine new ways address harmful and misguided attitudes to work together for everyone’s benefi t. about what it means to be old. We have This means rethinking social systems named racism as an evil. We have that too often isolate the old from the identifi ed sexism as an injustice. Ageism

THEJOURNAL | 101 the promise of aging

So the evidence is compelling: Societies should do more to capture the benefi t from all that older individuals have to offer, and not just in the workforce but in all walks of life.

is equally dehumanizing and unfair, from many regions and economic yet it is tolerated far too often. sectors. What they share is a Societies will benefi t by forcefully recognition that meeting the needs rejecting age-based prejudice of older employees, such as through and taking advantage of all that fl exible work schedules, fi tness people have to offer. Stereotypes programs and good health care of dependent older people — and benefi ts, helps them maintain a practices that foster dependence — competitive edge. are harmful not only to individuals Research backs this up. Studies but to larger communities. have shown that age-diverse If we continue to tolerate teams can be more productive, ageism in the workplace, we are often bringing out the best in all robbing ourselves of the potential workers. And the benefi ts of an older gains from embracing experienced workforce can actually provide employees. These workers pay a boost to national economies. back their organizations with skill, According to the U.K. Department institutional knowledge, maturity of Work and Pension, if their nation’s and reliability. Employers should labor force were to stay on the job play a leading role in recasting the one year longer on average, Real issue of aging by recognizing the Gross Domestic Product would grow value of experience and taking steps 1% over a six year period. to optimize it, such as by encouraging So the evidence is compelling: mentor-mentee relationships and Societies should do more to capture teamwork across generations. the benefi t from all that older Fortunately, there is a growing individuals have to offer, and not list of employers who have just in the workforce but in all walks established the business case for of life. Countries need to do a far supporting experience in their better job of capturing the insights ranks, and AARP is encouraging and learnings that only come from such organizations through experience. our program of Best Employers Public policies should play International. Winners have come an important role here, but often,

102 they are fragmented or misguided. We need creativity. Technical Instead of targeting separate policies innovations have changed the way we on the young and old, countries work and play, but social innovations should adopt a more holistic, life- can have an equally big impact on course approach that recognizes our lives. Realizing the opportunity that supports in childhood can have aging presents to the individual and a benefi cial effect throughout life. to their community requires creative For example, access to education solutions, innovative thinking, and a and health care in youth typically wiliness to challenge the status quo benefi ts individuals and society for around not only work and play, but also many years in the form of longer and issues like housing, transportation, healthier lives. and social interactions. Debra B. Whitman And these kinds of supports This is a serious issue, Dr. Debra Whitman is AARP’s chief should not just stop at a certain because aging affects everything. public policy offi cer, leading policy age. Consider something as basic Yet the challenges related to development, analysis and research, as well as global thought leadership as education. Societies can do the demographics will remain supporting and advancing the much more to support learning as intractable until we discuss interests of individuals 50-plus and a lifelong endeavor, and they will be solutions and think about the their families. She oversees AARP’s rewarded with a more productive world’s changing age makeup in a Public Policy Institute, Research older population. whole new way. Center, Offi ce of Policy Integration and AARP International. Policymakers also should focus The most effective strategies more on the gap between the will involve everyone — and help She is an authority on aging issues healthspan — the period of life in everyone. Real solutions will benefi t and has extensive experience in which people are fi t and active all generations. national policymaking, domestic • and international research, and the — and the total lifespan, which political process. An economist, she may include later years in which is a strategic thinker whose career individuals contend with serious has been dedicated to solving chronic conditions. Our goal should problems affecting economic and be to ensure that the healthspan health security, and other issues related to population aging. can endure almost as long as the lifespan. Globally, we are overdue in recasting the issue of aging. World leaders need to wake up to the fact that population aging is a defi ning feature of life in the 21st century and develop new ways of thinking.

THEJOURNAL | 103 spotlight KIRK DOUGLAS work with the alzheimer’s unit at the motion picture and television fund campus: Years ago, Anne and I funded “Harry’s Haven,” named after my father who didn’t have the disease. We wanted to create a safe environment and a pleasant one for families visiting their loved ones. All in all, we’ve donated $45 million to the MPTF for various projects because it takes care of people in the entertainment profession—and not just the successful ones. “Harry’s Haven” will be incorporated into the new Kirk Douglas Care Pavillion which breaks ground in 2016. all-time favorite role: I am probably best known as Spartacus, but my favorite movie of all was name: Kirk Douglas Hills and Montecito (Santa Barbara). “Lonely Are the Brave.” It was written thoughts on turning 99: views on immigration: My parents— by my friend, Dalton Trumbo, who I celebrated my 99th birthday on illiterate Russian Jews fl eeing also wrote “Spartacus.” He and his December 9, 2015, surrounded pogroms—built new lives in the family suffered greatly. He defi ed by family, friends, and Anne, my small upstate New York factory town the House Unamerican Activities beautiful wife of 62 years. What a of Amsterdam. All of their children Committee by refusing to accept lot of history I have lived through were born in the land of opportunity. the Committee’s right to know in nearly a century. In 1916, women It pains me to see politicians today his political affi liations and those still couldn’t vote. I was four when fomenting hatred towards people of his friends. This was during the Nineteenth Amendment fi nally they consider “others.” I was and the Communist witch hunt years passed. Today, I am encouraged to remain a great admirer of John F. known as the “Red Scare.” Studios see female Presidential candidates! Kennedy, who wrote the bestselling imposed a blacklist and demanded currently reading: I have been “A Nation of Immigrants” to explain a signed loyalty oath from anyone immersing myself in the letters the benefi t of adding people from employed there, yet everyone that my wife has saved over our many ethnicities and backgrounds knew that writers such as Dalton long marriage for a new book I am to the American melting pot. Trumbo were continuing to work working on. I am amazed that she favorite travel memory: Of course, under phony names and at reduced kept so many letters I wrote her I was constantly on the go in the compensation. I am very proud that and even letters she wrote to me. past, making fi lms all over the I was able to put Dalton’s true name There are letters from my friends world. But the traveling I treasure on “Spartacus” which helped break like John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and most were my trips to numerous the blacklist. Lauren (Betty) Bacall. There are countries at my own expense as a advice to teenage self: Looking many from royals and statemen, goodwill ambassador for the United back at my remarkable life, I and every president from JFK to States Information Agency (USIA). I would tell my teenaged self to keep Barack Obama. It will be the fourth met with world leaders; I wandered pursuing the dream of acting, book I’ve written since turning 90! unoffi cially in rural areas; I talked because sometimes dreams come recent travels: My last trip was with students and their teachers at true if you work hard enough. I to attend my grandson Dylan’s Bar schools and universities. For this, would tell him that coming from Mitzvah, but it has to be something I received the Medal of Freedom, nothing was a great advantage, as special as that to budge me from America’s highest civilian honor, because there is only one way to my comfortable homes in Beverly from President Jimmy Carter. go — up. • 104 AARP aims to help people live longer, healthier, more financially secure and productive lives by identifying the best ideas and practices on key policy issues. We convene international opinion leaders and policy makers to share their expertise and develop research on health and long-term care, older workers and retirement income, and livable communities. Through our international program, AARP fosters this global collaboration and, in the end, acts as a collaborator and catalyst to governments and decision makers in all sectors to help address and favorably shape the social and economic implications of aging worldwide. THE JOURNAL journal.aarpinternational.org