Corporate Welfare: a review of good practices for healthy and active aging

Reference

Lucifora C, Villar E, Bologna E. Invecchiamento attivo: come vivere più a lungo. 2020, Vita e Pensiero, 2.

 

At a glance

A study published on Vita e Pensiero reviewed some recent evidence on the effectiveness of corporate welfare interventions aimed at promoting healthy and active aging. The reported examples of good practices show that it is possible to improve both the “quantity” and “quality” of life if individuals are incentivized to stay physically and mentally active, adopt healthier habits and lifestyles, and take new initiatives to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they live.

What is already known

Almost one-fifth of the European population is made up by individuals aged more than 65. Moreover, we are witnessing a progressive aging of the older population itself: by 2100 the share of those aged more than 80 will increase from the current 5.6% to 14.6% (Eurostat, 2019). Among the many implications of these demographic changes there is a strong epidemiological transition. Chronic degenerative diseases are, nowadays, the main cause of death and functional limitations that largely affect the quality of aging. Indeed, the increase in life expectancy does not always correspond to an increase in its quality. In Italy, for example, a 65-year-old man can expect to live another 13.7 years in good health, versus a European average of 14.4 years. In addition, mental distress is a growing problem among the elder population: 19.5% of Italians aged more than 75 suffer from depression. The great heterogeneity in the state of physical and mental well-being of older adults shows how “being old” is not simply a question of age, but a condition determined by the loss of health, autonomy and social role.

 

Design and Method

The study reviews some good practices, promoted in a sample of Italian and European firms through corporate welfare, aimed at improving the psycho-physical health conditions of older employees and retirees. Based on this review, it suggests which are the most effective types of intervention for promoting healthy and active aging.

 

Main results

The programmes carried out by two Italian firms and four in as many European countries, some more general on lifestyles, the basis of healthy ageing, others aimed at people over a certain age threshold, have been illustrated as examples. Specifically, the programs under analysis proposed different types of intervention: health assessment, educational campaigns on physical exercise, nutrition, smoking and drinking, promotion of sociability, dialogue and volunteering. Subjects participating in the different programs show, in general, a higher propensity to follow a healthier lifestyle, better psycho-physical health conditions, a higher disability-free life expectancy, and wider and more intense social relationships. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that, given the complexity and multi-factorial dimension of the aging process, an effective healthy and active aging program must include the combination of three lines of intervention. The first consists in the promotion of healthy life habits. The second in the prevention and prompt identification of the onset of chronic degenerative diseases. The third in the promotion of social interactions.

 

Limitations

Although the issue is of growing interest and relevance, still few companies are interested in a rigorous and scientifically robust assessment of the effects of internal aging policies. The study reports only six examples of possible interventions at the level of firm policy that, although with encouraging results, remain limited.

 

What’s new

The study represents the first review of healthy and active aging programs promoted, at an Italian and European level, in the context of the “second welfare”. This is the set of private subjects, social partners and third sector entities that have recently undertaken different initiatives to provide concrete solutions to health and socio-economic problems related to aging through the mobilization of non-public resources. Furthermore, the study is among the firsts evaluating the effectiveness of multi-dimensional interventions aimed at affecting all the aspects of the aging process: biological, behavioural and social.

 

What the Prospects

Once understood which are the most effective interventions in promoting active and healthy aging, the question of efficiency remains open. This is a particularly important issue, given the huge impact of healthcare costs and public spending that the aging of the population entails. Possible questions that future developments of the study should answer are the following: what are the repercussions of these interventions on the costs of healthcare services? Specifically, which (lower) cost per individual? Which (lower) cost per type of chronic condition related to aging?

 

 

By Carmela Rinaldi