Global Ageing and Long-Term Care Network

The world's population is ageing rapidly. In 2015, there were 900 million individuals aged 60 and over, of whom two-thirds live in the developing world; by 2050 this figure is expected to more than double to over 2 billion and 80% of these individuals will be living in less developed countries, many of which currently lack comprehensive systems of social protection (WHO, 2015). Globally, the family remains the dominant source of support for social care in later life. However, with increasing participation - particularly of women - in the paid labour market and higher levels of migration, traditional systems of family support are coming under pressure. Across the globe formal systems of long-term care are evolving to complement informal (unpaid) care from family members and non-family networks. In some contexts, such systems are already well developed but in others they are evolving organically with little or no oversight or regulation. The WHO, in its World Report on Ageing and Health (2015) highlighted the imperative of developing long-term care systems that enable older people to receive care and support that is 'consistent with their basic rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity'.

Through the organisation of a series of workshops, the Global Ageing and Long-term Care (GALNet) will facilitate the sharing of insights into the factors underpinning the need for, and present realities of, long-term care and how these might vary across different social groups, along with discussion of alternative models for long-term care from different sources, and the balance between informal (unpaid) care provided by family members and non-family networks, formal support provided by the state or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), or formal paid for support purchased through the private sector.

A key outcome of the Network will be its final report, which will identify a future research agenda for the long term care of older people within a rights based framework, drawing on south-south learning.

Issues of population ageing and the well-being of older people remain neglected within the development discourse. However by 2045 it is estimated that the number of global citizens aged 60 and over will exceed the number aged under 16 for the first time in human history. By 2050 there will be more than 2 billion people aged 60 and over, comprising just over one fifth of the world's population, and the majority of these will live in developing countries, including those affected by conflict. In order to ensure all older women and men can lead dignified, healthy and secure lives as they grow older, local and national Government's and NGOs need to act now.

The main impact of the Network will be to ensure that older people are visible in the CGRF agenda. The Network activities will contribute to the evidence base informing policy-makers in an area with crucial policy implications, directly in line with the GCRF's theme of Dynamics of inequalities, and indirectly the themes of Migration, mobility and development, and Shocks, security, risks and resilience.

The extent of the wider impact delivered by this project will be premised on a) the fruitful exchange between academic and non-academic partners within the countries participating in the network; and b) the exchange of policy lessons between the countries in the network. The academic partners within the Network have significant experience in engaging the non-academic community interested in the areas of population ageing and long-term care, and three of the key international policy stakeholders - the World Health Organisation, HelpAge International and UNFPA - are already committed to participating in the Network activities.

The exchange of policy lessons between the countries in the network is equally important, highlighting policy solutions or alternatives which have been applied effectively in other country contexts. The Network is extremely timely in that the government of China has just announced its intention to introduce a National Long-term Care Insurance Scheme, the African Union is developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for, and revision of the African Union Plan of Action on Ageing (2015-2016) and the government of India is also re-considering its national strategy on ageing. Thus the potential scope for impact through enhanced South-South learning is significant.