It’s no secret that the worldwide population is steadily aging. According to United Nations data, by 2018 those over 65 will outnumber those over the age of 5.

Thus, the issue of how to anticipate and care for the growing aged population has become a heavily-discussed global health topic.

In a webcast from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), three British experts in social care – Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care; Professor Des O’Neill, president-elect of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society; and Richard Humphries, senior fellow in social care at the King’s Fund – discussed a variety of age- related topics.

Moderated by the EIU’s Iain Scott, the panel analyzed the current and future impact of the aging population on society and addressed how to adjust to meet their needs. The conversation highlighted various trends including telecare, preventative technologies, and ageism. The panelists identified which nations’ healthcare systems (Scandinavian nations, Germany, and France were touted) are best set up to accommodate the growing elderly population. They also discussed their vision for a UK system-wide reform that would blur the lines between social care and healthcare so the two would be more integrated. Watch the webcast.

For more GetInsideHealth content focused on how to care for world’s growing geriatric population:

• The Economist Intelligence Unit has recently released a whitepaper that predicts the social and economic impact of this demographic shift and recommends a series of changes for policymakers.

• And Don Spence, CEO of Home Healthcare solutions at Philips, addresses how to prepare for future home health needs of the aging population in a series of podcasts.

Enjoy!

Kip