What are the challenges of ageing?
The Centre for Ageing Better was launched in 2015. Dr Aideen Young, Senior Evidence Manager at the Centre, highlights some of the challenges facing older people.
She said: “Older people are a highly diverse group in terms of health and wealth, and within that group there are people very much in need – who are living in poverty, in poor housing and in poor health. Their precarious situation has been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. They are the people that we really need to pay attention to.
“We have the oldest housing stock in Europe so there are many people living in non-decent and inappropriate homes. These homes are simply not suitable for people who are older or who have disabilities.”
Age UK’s Dr Webb said: “Our responsibility at Age UK is to be there for the older people who need us. We know there are an awful lot of older people who don’t need us. There are plenty of people aged over 65 who are in great health, have excellent incomes and good housing. Everything is working well for them. These people often are our volunteers or donors but at some point, later in their life, they may become our service users.”
I am blessed to be able to move about and do the things that I want to do. Losing my independence would really bite into me.
Analysis of 2021 Census data will give us the most up-to-date, detailed picture of the differing circumstances of older people living in England and Wales.
David Sinclair said that one of the main challenges of an ageing population is how to support people to age well.
He said: “We start ageing in the womb so we need to be looking at the young. We need to be thinking about access to education and learning across the whole life so that we can make sure we are prepared for the 100-year life, even if that doesn’t end up being everyone. We also need to change the narrative and debate around supporting people to work longer. We need to address challenges like pensioner poverty, shortages in housing and inequalities in health and life expectancy.”
Dr Young echoed this theme. She said: “At the Centre for Ageing Better, we have primarily focused on people in mid-life because by creating change for people in this age group we can enable them to have a good later life when they get there.”
Census data provide a snapshot in time of the characteristics of people of all ages. A 1% sample of census records are also linked through the once-per-decade censuses back to 1971 in the ONS Longitudinal Study. These data – together with events data including deaths – allow researchers to examine changes in people’s attributes and socio-demographic characteristics as they age.
David Sinclair said the UK had been ageing very slowly when compared with places such as South Korea, Hong Kong or Singapore.
He said: “That also means our society has been a bit slower to adapt. We need to use the data we have to plan better for the future.”
Dr Webb added: “If we had more accessible public transport and public toilets this wouldn’t just be good for older people, it would help people on lower incomes, people with disabilities, and parents and children too. A lot of our interests align.”
Angele Storey said a census provides one of the best sources of data for planning:
“It can also be combined with administrative-based data or survey data to build a greater understanding of complex populations and their needs,” she added.
Zafar Kayani is 65 years old and lives in Bradford. He has three sons, four grandchildren and works full-time in community engagement for a voluntary group for dads and young children. He is also a yoga teacher.
He said: “When I was younger, I thought 65 was a long way away but now I have reached that milestone, it didn’t take that long. Being older does mean you get a lot more respect from other people. It reminds me I am an old man when people call me uncle.
“I am blessed to be able to move about and do the things that I want to do. Other people my age or older may not be as mobile and need to rely on other people. Losing my independence would really bite into me.
“To keep well, it’s important to have the opportunity to talk to other people and socialise in groups. Keep your mind and body active. You tend to have more time when you are older and can lose focus, so you need to create things to focus on.
“I started a walking group in my local area about a month ago. After we walk, we have tea and biscuits and talk. The youngest person in the group is 50 and the oldest is 85. They say it has given them a purpose and something to look forward to. They feel part of something. You should celebrate what you have got and enjoy life.”
I absolutely love getting older. I have so much freedom and time.
