Public Services Lab Blog

A social old age

Laura Bunt - 14.07.2009

In an ageing society, we need to imagine a radically different role for public services - as conveners and relationship builders rather than one-stop package providers.

As the population steadily ages, the pressure on public services is set to increase. The need for new solutions to these new problems is real and urgent. Yesterday, DWP announced its response to this urgency by bringing forward a review of the state retirement age to 2010 and announcing a set of interventions to help us prepare for an ageing society.

The paper puts forward plans for interactive 'one-stop-shops' that will help people plan ahead for ageing.

Though this encourages people in their 50s and 60s to be mindful of their future, demand for this kind of service needs to be boosted by a wider range of interventions and providers. At present, less than half of the working population are putting money aside for their retirement.

As people remain reticent about preparing for ageing, what would prompt them to visit this kind of service? Without active user engagement, this falls short of the responsive provision needed to meet the demand.

In 2007, 48% of over 65s reported that they consider television to be their main form of company. Of those over 65, more than a third lived alone and 13% said they are often or always lonely.

In an ageing society, we need to imagine a radically different role for public services - as conveners and relationship builders rather than one-stop package providers.

Preparing for ageing cannot be just a matter for government to deal with. It will require individuals, companies, charities and communities to change behaviour and help design imaginative solutions. Training programmes, raising awareness and employment opportunities will only have traction within a wider context of cultural change.

Engaging people directly in service design could unearth some unexpected solutions that avert the strain on resources.