This volume tackles a number of popular misconceptions about the social and economic impact of an aging population. It emphasizes the specific demographic and policy changes taking place in Canada and focuses on trends in social policy that affect pensions, healthcare, and retirement. It provides a critical look at how an apocalyptic approach to the aging population is being used by the conservative parties to dismantle the Canadian welfare state. It also examines the many ways in which intergenerational relationships are changing and challenges the popular image of the elderly population as a burden on the younger generations.

Population Aging: The Transformation of Societies presents an overview and international comparison of the causes, consequences and policy implications of one of the major processes of change in contemporary societies. It provides a foundation for understanding and reflecting on key demographic and social trends, together with related theoretical and policy frameworks that are important in explaining changes and designing informed responses. With particular reference to countries that have the oldest or largest aged populations, the book presents a synthesis of research on population aging, new analyses of trends and a discussion of the major social policy strategies. Key topics include the new demography of aging, population health, family change, the Third Age, international policy concepts and strategies, and comparisons of countries – such as in terms of the relative risks they face from population aging and their resilience as changes occur. Overall, the book presents a broad interdisciplinary perspective on the determinants and consequences of population aging. The book is written for an international audience of policy makers, educators and practitioners in health and welfare, together with students in the social sciences and health sciences. It provides an accessible and academically informed exposition of the field for people engaging with issues arising from population aging in their own country.

This volume tackles a number of popular misconceptions about the social and economic impact of an aging population. It emphasizes the specific demographic and policy changes taking place in Canada and focuses on trends in social policy that affect pensions, healthcare, and retirement. It provides a critical look at how an apocalyptic approach to the aging population is being used by the conservative parties to dismantle the Canadian welfare state. It also examines the many ways in which intergenerational relationships are changing and challenges the popular image of the elderly population as a burden on the younger generations.

Contributors question whether an aging society is necessarily inferior or problematic compared with the recent past, cautioning that exaggerated concerns about population aging can be harmful to rational policy making.

The International Handbook of Population Aging examines research on a wide array of the profound implications of population aging. It demonstrates how the world is changing through population aging, and how demography is changing in response to it.

With its implications for health care, the economy, and an assortment of other policy areas, population aging is one of the most pressing issues facing governments and society today, and confronting its complex reality is becoming increasingly urgent, particularly in the age of COVID-19. In The Four Lenses of Population Aging, Patrik Marier looks at how Canada’s ten provinces are preparing for an aging society. Focusing on a wide range of administrative and policy challenges, this analysis explores multiple actions from the development of strategic plans to the expansion of long-term care capacity. To enhance this analysis, Marier adopts four lenses: the intergenerational, the medical, the social gerontological, and the organizational. By comparing the unique insights and contributions of each lens, Marier draws attention to the vital lessons and possible solutions to the challenges of an aging society. Drawing on over a hundred interviews with senior civil servants and thousands of policy documents, The Four Lenses of Population Aging is a significant contribution to public administration, provincial politics, and comparative public policy literatures, and a timely resource for policymakers and general readers seeking an informed perspective on a timely and important issue.

Global aging, technological advances, and financial pressures on health and pension systems are sure to influence future patterns of work and retirement. This handbook offers an international, multi-disciplinary perspective, examining the aging workforce from an individual worker, organization, and societal perspective.