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Stale and flaccid policy impedes the productive potential of ageing populations.

Stale and flaccid policy impedes the productive potential of ageing populations Arguably, the most significant policy success story around the globe is the continuing population growth among those aged 65 and older and particularly those aged 80 and older. National policies in most politically and economically stable societies have improved longevity and extended active years of life for citizens through childhood disease prevention and health education; environmental policies concerning clean water supply and safe food production chains; enforcement of work health and safety policies; and disease control. These policies began in the mid 19th century in response to unacceptable levels of morbidity and mortality arising from preventable causes within work and social environments of that time. Interestingly, despite general acceptance of the importance of social determinants to longevity (Rasanathan 2011), the current focus of remedial efforts remains on treating existing illnesses in individuals. A much smaller effort is being given to prevention and building the resilience of individuals, communities and societies in environments that increasingly threaten health, especially mental health, and to initiate their own self-protecting strategies (Enns et al. 2016). A groundswell is needed to buttress national political will to revise flaccid policies on inequality, poverty, crime and social disadvantage and establish policies supporting environments that enhance health and harmony for all. Much is made internationally of demographic ageing and its effect on subsequent generations’ economic challenges and certainly this is important. However, in policy terms, the direction of creative attention in policy needs to be on discovering what older adults are doing within their cultures and societies to carve out a pattern of life in response to a demographic trend that will not reverse. With so many active, older adults in our midst, any social patterns and lifestyles that their predecessors chose have scant relevance to the high achieving builders of our contemporary environments that we take for granted. These adults aged in their 80s and 90s are now demographic trail-blazers, setting up social norms that other generations will follow in larger numbers over the next few decades when the current 40to 50-year olds live into their 90s and beyond. When viewed as social capital, this expanded availability of healthy older adult time and energy can be considered a windfall resource for all nations that have succeeded in generating this demographic phenomenon. The ‘capital’ associated with ageing populations lies in the accumulation of people as assets – and the experience, skills and wisdom of people who have lived long lives and contributed in many ways to national productivity. In terms of ‘social’ capital, which accrues by way of personal networks, recognition and status, the idea of society relying on individuals for cohesion, innovation and self-preservation can be traced back to philosophers such as David Hume, Edmund Burke and Adam Smith (Woolcock 1998). Central to these ideas is ‘human’ capital which is the capability and resources within the individuals who provide labour for services and goods needed by their society. This source of capital is greatly influenced by government policies, social values and personal investment in their work. Individual productivity is often regarded as being a result of education, skills and attitudes, and it also depends on opportunity and the value that Professor Tracey McDonald RN, AM, PhD, FACN