Is this your perfect future?

With all this talk of an ageing population and soaring care bills, it is easy to be pessimistic. However, the future, as always, is in our own hands so let’s imagine for a moment what the world might look like for us baby boomers in 2025 :

Housing

People are increasingly moving to live nearer their friends and relatives so creating mutually supportive hubs. “Granny annexes” have not caught on because the wealthy baby boomers are resistant to downsizing to homes the size of their student flats of old. Similarly retirement complexes are still relatively unusual. Instead families and friends are buying adjoining houses in new housing developments and gardens are becoming more communal.

Government grants which first became available in 2009/10 to make homes more energy efficient have been extended to help people to “future proof” their homes. Unfortunately the housing industry did not respond to the changing demographic quickly enough and much of the housing stock is unsuitable for people as they get older. Government grants are now available for building a downstairs bedroom and ensuite big enough for a walk in shower, installing lifts, stair lifts, ramps and grab rails.

All adaptive equipment has to comply with a BSI British Standard which means that it must be discrete and attractive as well as being functional and robust. Designers are competing to bring out new designs in this lucrative market and the prestigious Conran Design Award for Inclusive Design is in its third year.

Employment

After years of debate, the compulsory retirement age has finally been abolished. People in their 60s/70s/80s now often have portfolio careers, combining part time or consultancy work with volunteering and helping with the extended family, be it providing child care or looking after older family members or friends. Caring and volunteering are both considered as valuable economic activities and recognised in the pension and benefits system.

Education

Education no longer stops at 21. Increasingly people of all ages are returning again and again to education and skills training. Universities are no longer the preserve of the young as freshers are as likely to be 65 as 18.

What do you think? Is this a likely scenario? Is this your perfect future?