McKinsey&Company
What healthy aging means
.
| • |
Isn’t it ironic? Discriminating against older workers is an “unfair paradox”: employees are penalized after spending decades gaining experience. Globally, more than six million cases of depression are linked to ageism, per the WHO. Unfortunately, age bias is common: in a 2021 survey, nearly 80% of older workers stated that they have seen or experienced age discrimination. If you’re an older worker, strategies to combat ageism include confronting your own fears about aging and being prepared to respond to bias (for instance, by touting your technology skills). [CNBC] |
|
|
| • |
The vanishing home-care worker. The thought of moving into a nursing home can fill some older adults with dread. A majority of Americans wish to be cared for at home as they age, but all over the country, home-care workers are hard to find, even as the population of US adults aged 65-plus is set to double by 2040. One report found that home-care staffers are quitting the field over low salaries and a lack of benefits. In most counties in one US state, home-care workers make $13.20 an hour—less than fast-food workers. [NYT] |
|
|
| • |
Not a burden, but a blessing. We need to change how we think about aging, says Ursel J. McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, in an episode of the McKinsey on Healthcare podcast. “Old age cannot be seen as a burden because we will tend to focus on things that are limited to cost containment,” McElroy says. However, if we view aging as a privilege, we’ll be “willing to invest in long-term strategy rather than short-term fixes,” she adds. Supporting healthy aging means understanding what older individuals desire from their lives and addressing their diverse needs and preferences.
|
|
|
| • |
Quality over quantity. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are facing threats to their health, living arrangements, and social interactions. At the same time, we have the opportunity to make meaningful changes in how we care for our aging populations. “It’s not just about increasing the amount of time you’re on this earth; it is about the quality of time you have while you’re on this earth,” McElroy says. Read the full interview for three changes that would improve the experience of aging for us all. |
|
|
| — Edited by Belinda Yu |
|
This email contains information about McKinsey’s research, insights, services, or events. By opening our emails or clicking on links, you agree to our use of cookies and web tracking technology. For more information on how we use and protect your information, please review our privacy policy.
|
|
You received this email because you subscribed to the On Point newsletter.
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2022 | McKinsey & Company, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
|
|
|
|
