VIENNA (PK) – The consequences of an aging society were the focus of today’s Federal Council Expert Forum’s final panel discussion “Austria is getting older”, held in parliament. Experts Regina Fuchs (Statistics Austria), Monika Riedel (Institute for Advanced Studies), Florian Buchner (Health Austria) and Franz Kolland (Carl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences) discussed the issue. These discussed international best practice examples, the future of care, challenges in the labor market and retirement age. They also talked about birth rates and the importance of health and prevention.

In his closing remarks, Federal Council President Franz Ebner summarized the challenges of demographic change and emphasized the importance of prevention in health.

The topic of aging and how it is dealt with in other countries

There is a “dramatic” growth in terms of aging in Central Europe, but this growth is already in the most advanced countries, said Regina Fuchs of Statistics Austria. In Asia, aging is progressing most rapidly in countries that are more closed and have less migration traditions. In Europe, German society is aging faster than Austrian society. On the other hand, the French are younger due to migration and a traditionally high birth rate.

In countries such as Japan, older people already had a high social importance, and as a result many programs were set up, explained Franz Goland from the Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences. He also pointed to exemplary care and housing programs in the Netherlands. Age discrimination is a problem and therefore the UN Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons. Austria should support the discussion on the establishment of the Convention.

Unlike in Scandinavia, where it is handled more objectively, placing relatives in nursing homes is often frowned upon in this country, said Monika Riedel of the Institute for Advanced Studies. There, women’s participation in the labor market was high and industrialization took place earlier.

When asked about the high number of healthy years in Scandinavia, Florian Bachner from Health Austria justified this.

The future of nursing and healthcare

Monica Riedel said the family association’s role in caregiving will change, but will continue to play an important role. He justified this by saying that systematic observation had reached its limit.

The individual has a need for other people that machines can never replace, said Florian Bachner. But there are many areas, such as diagnostics, where robotics and artificial intelligence can provide massive support. It is important not to be afraid, but to see the opportunities that technologies offer, he appealed.

Labor market and pensions

Regina Fuchs said that education is a guarantee that people can stay in the job market longer. With regard to migration, he pointed out that there is great potential to bring human capital into the country. However, the government often invests heavily in this human capital to ensure that it is retained in the country.

Florian Bachner pointed out that compared to the number of doctors who go to other countries after training, there are also many who come to Austria. Overall there is only one small minus. Most importantly, it is possible to get doctors for positions in high demand.

Regina Fuchs explained that the question of retirement age is a political question. However, the actual rate is currently much lower than the statutory rate and many people remain unemployed in their pre-retirement years. So people should take steps to stay in working life. Likewise, raising the retirement age will require investments in people and their health. Monica Riedel agreed. Accompanying measures such as promoting a healthy lifestyle are needed here.

Social Factors for Low Birth Rate

Regarding the low birth rate, Regina Fuchs blamed several factors. Although the desire for two children has remained constant over the years, the fertility rate is 1.3. This country has a long tradition of women being childless. Likewise, unlike in other countries, women are quickly seen as “crow mothers” if they return to work quickly after maternity leave. In comparison, women spend more time on maternity leave, then work fewer hours part-time and do not transition to full-time work even when their children are older.

Health care and prevention are important

Franz Kolland said that the health services are not sufficiently accepted, which should be a concern for a new federal government. Geriatric rehabilitation facilities can also be important for health prevention. In contrast to Germany – Austria currently has no such facility.

Monica Riedel also stressed the importance of health prevention. It should be started as early as possible in Kindergarten so that people learn a healthy lifestyle early and then live it.

Ebner: A paradigm shift from repair medicine to preventive medicine is needed

In his closing remarks, Federal Council President Franz Ebner said that demographic change is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges of our time. Lack of skilled workers, increasing demand for health and care services or intergenerational equity and at the same time forward-looking planning is necessary to take advantage of opportunities, for example through new technologies. However, the needs of today’s senior citizens and the worries and anxieties of the younger generation should not create a divide in society, he said. Only intergenerational mutual understanding paves the way for a secure and prosperous future. The head of the Federal Council, the older generation – in addition to their social commitment to clubs, voluntary organizations, childcare or looking after relatives – is an important economic factor for a quarter of private consumption.

In his view, when it comes to the question of “how” one ages, prevention is of utmost importance. A paradigm shift from repair medicine to preventive medicine is therefore necessary. For example, family care will become less available in the future due to demographic change and changing family structures. In Ebner’s view, the nursing profession needs to transition from a deficit profession back to a dream job, for example due to greater bureaucratization or increased use of digital applications. (Expert Forum Decision) pst/mbu

Note: Photographs of this event and a review of past events can be found on Parliament’s web portal. The Expert Forum was broadcast live on Parliament’s Media Library and is available as video on demand.