Report on the Elderly 2006

Abstract

The Report on the Elderly 2006 presents an overview of the changes in the life situation and life course of the elderly. Key themes are participation in education and employment, leisure time use, financial position, health and care provisions. Attention is also given to the end of working life, deterioration in health and loss of a partner. An important conclusion is that the majority of elderly people in the Netherlands are doing well. Many of them are in the midst of their communities, as evidenced by their involvement in voluntary work and informal care provision. In addition, more older people than in the past are working. Their healthy life expectancy and favourable socio-economic position opens the way to a relatively long social life.

Yet there are also vulnerable elderly persons who are unable to participate in society. According to recent policy documents from the government, these older persons can count on support. This Report explores the areas of vulnerability of elderly persons. Examples include poor physical or psychological health, undergoing major life events, poverty, total or virtual inability to read and write, or limited digital skills. Elderly persons who would want to participate in society, but who do not do so, also deserve extra attention.

The Report on the Elderly 2006 is the seventh in the series of reports on the elderly compiled by the Social and Cultural Planning Office of the Netherlands (SCP) at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. It was compiled in collaboration with the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.