Participatory approaches to social policy in relation to ageing

Abstract

Changes and progress very rarely are gifts from above. They come out of struggles from below. (Chomsky, 2008) In recent years, there has been considerable focus on the world’s ‘ageing population’. Projections from 2014 (UK) estimate that there will be an 89.3% increase in the number of people aged over 75 by 2039 (Office for National Statistics, 2015). These projections have resulted in wide discussions around how to manage the ‘rising demands from an ageing population’ as well as the need to adapt the UK welfare system so that it is appropriate. (Cracknell, 2010: 45). Key challenges also relate to the need to adapt pensions policy and review retirement ages. Such challenges are a global concern with projections from the United Nations (UN) estimating that the world’s population over the age of 60 will more than triple by 2100 (UN, 2015). Historically, the development of social policy has been driven by an ‘expert’ agenda, with older people themselves having little choice or control. This chapter highlights some of the key areas of current knowledge and understanding of ageing in relation to social policy. In particular, the chapter considers some of the key challenges and practicalities of a participatory approach to social policy. Current approaches to the development of social policy tend to be underpinned by a focus on perceived problems in relation to older people. This reinforces a belief that expertise is needed; older people are viewed as unable to ‘contribute effectively’ and therefore it is up to the ‘experts’ to make decisions and shape the social policy framework (Cornwall and Gaventa, 2000: 51).