Redefining Ageing24th March 2014

Transition and “In-betweenies”:

shifting boundaries between “work” and “retirement”

“The Lurch”

We’re living longerA third of the current population is over 50.There are now more people in the UK aged 60

and above than there are under 18. Life expectancy in the UK has reached its highest

level on record for both males and females, 78.1 years at birth for males and 82.1 years at birth for females.

In 2008, UK men at age 65 had a healthy life expectancy of 9.9 years, and women of 11.5 years

The Lurch“This unstable space that has no name, no clear beginning and end, no rites or routes of passage, face a contradictory culture, incoherent policies,

institutions tailored for a different population, and a society that seems in denial that this period even exists.”

Marc Freedman – The Big Shift

Characteristics of this new stageIt is a stage usually around 50/60s where people’s

circumstances tend to change –Family circumstances likely to change – children

likely to be less dependent – left home etcCareer/work seen/perceived/expected to be drawing

to a close after 30/40 yearsPeople experience changes in relationships, e.g.,

divorce, caring for parents. People often experience health/life related episodes

either personal or amongst close family & friends

Summary:

So it’s a period of transition, change, adjustment.

There’s a general sluggishness in state and individual preparation for later years

People are generally ill prepared for the transition

“Mind-maps” need to change and adjust to

current circumstances.

Trading Timer: Mary’s story“I’m in my 60s now. I retired

in 2011, but got bored very quickly. I felt increasingly isolated.

I started to notice older people more and thought that’s all that I had to look forward to. Home seemed too empty and quiet.

But, I still had much to give. I’m still young and healthy.”

Age Action Alliance Establish a focus upon the experience of

transition from main work/career stage to next stage.

Acknowledge that there is an emergent and growing section in today’s’ society no longer in work/career/life stage but do not consider themselves “retired” (in betweeners).

Age Action AllianceA ‘platform’ to focus, co-ordinate and

disseminate “transition” issues as well as support and disseminate the opportunities and providers of opportunities.

The purpose of this focus is about fulfilling potential (for individuals and society) it’s not about “prevention” or averting the perceived negative aspects of ageing.

Age Action AllianceThe need to improve the individuals

experience with objective person centred support to bring about benefits to both the individual and society.

To draw together the diverse stories of “what it’s like” in terms of the transition, to understand these journeys and “normalise the experience.

Sketching out our futures

Redefining......Who we are.....

Age-readiness needs to be ….”integrating a variety of strands and skills, present and past; it is as much about who you’ll be as what you’ll do or where you’ll work, although a shift usually involves all three; it’s a movement from one stage to another…”

Williams Bridges - Transitions (1980)