Future care - baby boomers expectations of care and support in late life Kathy Glasgow. Overview

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1 Future care - baby boomers expectations of care and support in late life 2016 Kathy Glasgow Overview Characteristics of NZs baby boomers What boomers think about growing older Their attitudes to care and support Implications for care and support services 1

2 Background PhD research A new old age? What kinds of expectations do boomers have about their life in older age? What attitudes and underlying values contribute to boomers expectations? How congruent are boomers values and expectations with current policy paradigms? How may boomers values and attitudes inform and shape the policy agenda in an ageing society (and vice versa)? NZ Baby Boomers Were born million boomers born NZ boom longest and highest rate Boomers grew up during a golden age of welfare, and contributed to, a period of significant social, cultural and technological change Large number of boomers has resulted in changing levels of demand for services throughout boomers lives Boomers now aged between 51 & 70 years 2

3 Are boomers a distinct generation? Boomers differ from their parents generation in a number of ways: Higher level of education Pattern of family life more varied More diverse lifestyles and patterns of work Longer & generally healthier lives Different attitudes e.g. to finance, to migration, to travel, to authority. A diverse group differences between older and younger boomers Leading boomers had more traditional pathway re marriage, children, home ownership Leading boomers benefited from family friendly housing & social policies Trailing boomers are a larger sub-cohort Trailing boomers had fewer children but their children are living at home for longer Trailing boomers have lived more years in a consumer culture, had higher education and housing costs, tighter job market. 3

4 Boomers view of their own generation Share a sense of identity as baby boomers See boomers as non-conformist, less deferential, anti-establishment View selves as pioneers and change agents Confident in their ability to advocate for change Individualistic, materialistic, liberal in attitudes Younger boomers see selves as more self indulgent than older boomers Older boomers see selves as more radical Most felt they had been lucky compared to younger and older cohorts 4

5 Perceived influences Parents experiences of war & the Depression Protest marches in the 60s & student radicals Womens liberation Access to childcare Hippie flower power JFK Vietnam war Man on the moon Music Migration Springbok tour Dawn raids Muldoon s think big Threat of nuclear war TV, Computers Media & marketing Global travel Free education Beliefs, attitudes and values Appreciative of parents efforts and nostalgic for simpler society of their childhood Critical of materialist and consumer society Support work ethic but also work-life balance Support rights based entitlement to State help when in need Determined to protect autonomy and choices Concerned about quality of life, equity and global eco-political issues Value independence, choice, fairness, responsibility, autonomy, reciprocity. 5

6 Expectations of own old age Expect to age differently to parents Expect to be healthier and more active Expect to be able to choose to participate in paid or unpaid work Optimistic about own ability to choose lifestyle, but aware of ageism But feel poorly prepared for old age Mid-life boomers anticipated lifestyle Satisfying balance of paid and unpaid work, leisure and family based activities Active lifestyle, including some travel (less international travel, more NZ based) Simplified and more sustainable living with strong sense of community desired Coastal, semi-rural or communal city living Desire autonomy with proximity to friends, and family visits Don t expect to stop contributing including volunteering, but plan to do so on their own terms 6

7 View of self growing older Do not welcome physical changes Some resistance to and denial of old age Fear: losing their independence through reduced health, loss of work and income; being patronised Look forward to: more time to do the things they enjoy; less and better work; changing family responsibilities; reduced pressure to conform Anticipate opportunities to give back to others Anticipated family support Expect to provide financial support to younger generations. Varied views on inheritence. Expect to provide practical, emotional and perhaps physical support to older generations. Most wish to avoid burdening family. Don t expect nor wish for physical care and financial support from family Hope to receive social/emotional support. Most expect to live at a distance from family. Alternative support anticipated from friends, partners and formal support services. 7

8 Expectations of state support Low level of confidence in support from the State Access to a state pension seen as a citizens right, but reduced access anticipated in own lifetime Access to comprehensive health care an area of concern, and a potential focus for organised protest Quality of residential care and quantity of home support a concern and state support desired. Meeting future care and support needs Boomers value quality of life, independence and will look for support to maintain activities. Boomers desire flexible responsive services. Boomers will seek formal support to reduce demands on family. Boomers are attracted to approaches that allow individuality. Boomers expect good communication and information from service providers. 8

9 A new old age? Boomers experience of ageing will continue to shape their behaviour. Boomer values suggest they are likely to strongly resist imposed conformity in late life. Some ingredients for collective action are present but no clear set of common demands. Boomers are concerned about adequacy of future health and support services. Boomers expect to question and challenge Are we ready? Some conclusions These boomers feel a moral responsibility to support older and younger generations contrary to portrayals of them as a self centred generation. Boomers desire to create their own innovative support arrangements. Boomer support networks are more diverse strengths and weaknesses of networks need to be considered in service planning. Individualised support will be important with choices maximised. Need to work with boomer s values, attitudes and circumstances. 9