02 March 2022
BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, publishes three new standards that provide guidance for organizations on how older persons can remain active in their local community as long as possible; in future additional standards will be focusing on the adaptation of products and services to the needs of an older population.
People across the world are living longer than ever before, which has resulted in older people making up a growing proportion of the population. The rapid increase of persons above the age of 65 expected between now and 2050 is set to become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century, with implications for nearly all sectors of society[1].
However, with the release of three new standards focused on the world’s aging population, the aim is to provide organizations with much needed guidance to address the challenges and opportunities that an aging society will bring for the economy, services and society. The new standards are:
BS ISO 25550: 2022 Aging societies — General requirements and guidelines for an age-inclusive workforce provides guidance that can support organizations to incorporate changes that can enable long-term employment opportunities, fight against ageism and benefit workers of all ages. This can encourage active participation of older workers and increase an organization’s reputation and image in society, to create a more balanced workplace.
BS ISO 25551: 2021 Aging societies — General requirements and guidelines for carer-inclusive organizations specifies requirements and provides guidelines for an organizational program for working carers providing care to adult care recipients or long-term childcare recipients. Caregiving has become one of the most important social and economic issues worldwide and as population ages, carers will play an increasing critical role in every society, providing substantial economic value globally.
BS ISO 25552: 2022 Aging societies — Framework for dementia-inclusive communities was developed in response to a worldwide recognition that individuals, families, and communities need to be more inclusive concerning persons with dementia. One goal of this document is to engage and include persons with dementia and their families, and carers, in communities of all types, sizes, and locations.
Rob Turpin, Head of Healthcare Standards at BSI said: “The worldwide shift in population distribution towards older ages presents a set of new challenges for organizations, and we need to address this demographic transition. Having standards in place enables more opportunities for us to benefit from the contributions of older persons in our society, which can enrich communities and provide potential for organisations to become more inclusive and productive.”
Organizations can download the standard via the BSI website here.
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Notes to the editor:
[1] https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/ageing
