I finished my last official duty as NZ’s Director General of Health speaking at the 2018 Global Conference on Integrated Care in Singapore a few weeks ago. I chose to speak on “Caring for our Seniors in Exponential Times”.
For First World countries the over 65s makes up around 15% of their population when the global average is around 8%. Most of these countries over 65s population cohort is heading towards the 25% over the next 30 years. For some First World countries like Japan they are already at the 25% mark and heading towards at least 33% by 2050.
This is a global issue for most First World countries as their current systems of care are fast becoming out of date (if not already!) when faced with context and environment that is exponentially complex.
Most First World countries health systems are increasing their expenditure to care for their elderly population. Sadly some of these expenditures are not making the difference needed. In pursuit of an appropriate response, decision makers would be wise to pay attention to the “new seniors” who will drive change because they watch what is happening to their parents and will want better solutions for themselves. These First World countries “new” seniors are currently in their late 50’s and early 60’s and are generally wealthy, more informed and becoming more technology savvy (some as a result of help from their digital native children or grandchildren).
Technology will play a big part and there will be new entrants to this part of the health care system. New ways of caring for our seniors will emerge driven by new talent and capability that can lead the transition that balances humanity and technology. This is an area where for a number of reasons including the fact that I am one of those emerging “new seniors” I will focus on and advocate for change.