Scotland has the lowest birth rate in the UK and an increasingly ageing population.
Addressing this demographic trend is not optional for public bodies, third sector groups or private organisations.
Not only do we need to focus on tailoring services for their specific needs, Scotland as an economy also needs to look at employing and retraining older workers and appreciating the skill-sets and experience they bring to the workplace.
The Herald and GenAnalytics will be focusing on this subject at the inaugural EngAGE Conference in association with the Scottish Government, on Thursday, May 23, at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Around 90,000 people in Scotland work in the digital sector, generating £5.9 billion a year for the economy. But an additional 13,000 new entrants to the sector are needed each year.
There are now plans under way to attract older people to make up some of the shortfall, with added commercial incentive to design products for that age group.
Maggie Morrison, client partner at NTT Data, who will be speaking at the event, said: “Technology has an important role to play in helping to keep older people engaged in society, fit and mentally active, as well as easing the burden on our NHS by enabling people to live in their own homes for longer.”
The Scottish Government is supporting the event as part of its Older People’s Framework.
Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie, who will speak at the event, said: “Older people contribute hugely to our economy and society, so it is in everyone’s interest that we have a positive attitude to ageing, and the Festival Of Ageing will do just that."
Also speaking will be Dawn Skelton, Professor of Ageing and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University, who said: “Through our work at the Ageing Well research group at Glasgow Caledonian University we have found the best way of improving health and reducing loneliness and social isolation is to help older people to be more engaged in their community and lead more active lives.”
The conference is free to attend but places must be registered by anyone wishing to attend. The exhibition is open to the public and doesn’t require pre-registration.
To register, visit http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/engageconference/ or contact Kirsty Loughlin on 0141 302 6016.
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