Dr. Christopher Grages 

As a consequence of demographic changes, the life stage of old age has undergone significant

transformations in the affluent countries of the global North in recent years. Life expectancy and the

number of healthy years have both increased in many countries, and there is a growing trend towards

‘active ageing’. However, social risks like poverty, unmet care needs and social exclusion have also, in part,

increased for older individuals. In this context, an important question arises: How are social policies in

contemporary welfare states framing and securing old age while supporting older people in living according

to their own wishes and ideals?

The workshop will address this question by examining recent trends in social policies for older people in

five panels:

• Retrenchment and privatization of pensions, and associated social risks

• The extension of working life through the postponement of retirement age

• Care arrangements and needs-adequate long-term care

• Social integration of migrants concerning social security and care work

• General policy trends aimed at strengthening older people’s active citizenship

International experts from different disciplines (sociology, political science, gerontology and social work)

will be invited to present innovative research on trends in social policy for old age, their causes,

explanations for cross-national differences, the complex interplay between different policy fields and

consequences concerning social risks and social citizenship.