�G�IN� I� ��� N��HERLAND� Louis Neven
Ageing is a natural part of life that comes with a significant number of challenges but also misconceptions. Like many Western societies, the Netherlands is currently experiencing a period of rapid demographic ageing. Currently, there are 3.2 million people in the Netherlands aged 65 or older. As the Netherlands has about 17.1 million inhabitants, the over-65’s already comprise 18.5% of the Dutch population. These figures are set to rise by 4.8 million and 26.2% respectively over the next forty years. This is a significant change in the makeup of the population. It also has a nearly permanent effect: the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics’ forecast for 2050 and 2060 are very similar to those of 2040. In other words, profound changes are coming and when they are here, they are here to stay. While demographic ageing can and should be seen as a success, all too often such demogra- TECH��LO�ICA� phic projections are cause for grave concern. I�NO�ATI�N Demographic ageing is in no small part a reI� S��� �� A sult of the high quality of health care and social care. The cost of (health and social) care, ��� S����I�N lack of sufficient care workers and the afford- �O T�E �HALability of (state) pensions are among the most �EN��S �F mentioned problems. Ageing is thus often pre����G�A�HIC sented as a future that is rushing towards us like a speeding train and the implication is that A��ING. we need to act decisively, now. One of the most important ways in which the Dutch Government has responded to this is to introduce the notion of the ‘Participation Society’. In the participation society, citizens rely as little as possible on provisions provided by the government but solve their problems together. Individual citizens have to take on more responsibility for themselves in their own surroundings and preferably help others as well. Ageing-in-place (i.e. remaining in one’s own home for as long as possible, including those with [severe] illnesses) is a central feature of the participation society. AGEIN� RES�����F�L��
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Technological innovation is seen as a key solution to the challenges of demographic ageing as well as a key enabler of the promises of the participation society. Indeed, technology comes with a set of promises of its own. For instance, technology will allow people to age in place, resolve or mitigate some of the consequences of demographic ageing and save costs, preferably with a marketable solution that can be sold abroad. These promises are attractive to politicians, policy makers, engineers and the like. The use of such technologies by older people lags behind however. In no small part, this has to do with a mismatch between the perceptions of who the older person is and what he or she needs in the eyes of the engineers designing these technologies and the way that older people see themselves. Oftentimes, the design of technologies for older people emphasise frailty, loss and dependence, whereas older people still feel independent and active in spite of the bodily difficulties they face.
2015
15% or less 15% to 20% 20% to 25% 25% to 30% 30% or more
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Ageing in the Netherlands. The infographic shows the change in the percentage of the Dutch population aged 65 or over.
2030
www.pbl.nl of www.cbs.nl Bron: PBL/CBS regionale bevolkings- en huishoudensprognose
This project takes a different view and asks what it would mean for design if we investigate the resourcefulness of older people.
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