A huge demographic revolution is occurring within society, due to an increase in the ageing population. Some surveys are stating that by 2025, more than a third of the UK's population will be over 55, which evidently means that we are living longer and staying active until much later in life. 

This can be attributed to huge advances in technology, health and social care. What is evident in the western academic circle is two theoretical ideas which have informed social understanding of age and aging; (1) Disengagement theory proposes the gradual withdrawal of older people from work roles and social relationships as both - inevitable and a natural process.

A good example of this is retirement which enables the aging person to be freed of the responsibilities of an occupation and to pursue other roles not necessarily aligned to economic lifestyle. (2) Activity theory, claims successful 'old age' which can be achieved by maintaining roles and relationships. Ageing can be lively and creative experience and any loss of roles, activities or relationships within old age, should be replaced by new roles or activities to ensure happiness, value consensus and well-being. Discrimination based on an individual's chronological age is deeply disturbing and widespread.

The welfare system provided us with a predictable framework of an ageing identity. However, with the diminishing of the welfare pie and generations competing over it, we have to re-define policy. For example some older citizens may not be able to participate in many civic duties such as being a magistrate after a particular birthday (For example Sir Menzies of Liberal Democrats, at 64 has been suggested as too old to lead his party), or as a consumer of services in hiring a car, getting insurance or just basically borrowing money, or even denying or delaying operations due to reaching a certain age. They may even be seen as solely for their economic power and spending clout. Age Concern who conducted a research in November 2005 stated that "Ageism is the last form of legal discrimination. It is often invisible and endemic in our culture". The survey comes as Age Concern have launched their first national billboard campaign, Ageism Exists.

For example in the Islamic Faith age and seniority are seen as signs of greater wisdom and experience. It tries to regulate respect between parent-child, teacher-student and olderyounger person. For policy makers and service providers it would be good practice to make effective, long-lasting policies and procedures which take the demographic changes in consideration for recruiting and developing services. Whatever the academics of the situation; we need to maintain a positive behaviour, attitude and ethical outlook towards the ageing population, where there is still a consistent feeling that youth and beauty is rewarded in some way in society. What we don't want is to disengage the older people from the society so they become ineffective as producers and consumers.

These changes are going to impact upon work ergonomics, education, housing and adaptations design and how inclusive an organisation and society is to become of such visible demographics. Older people as consumers of goods and services, contributing as volunteers and working, paying taxes and contributing to the GDP/GNP are 'valuables' of a civil society. Principally, we have a duty of care and a need/must to utilise older people's experience, skills and knowledge to contribute fruitfully.