We have to take it one day at a time: results of Age UK’s research into the health and care of people aged 50 and over

Age UK – January 2024

This report contains the results of Age UK’s polling and survey work on the following topics: caring for others; physical and mental health; access to NHS and social care services; community life and social contact; cost-of-living increases; and concern about winter. For each of these topics, the report includes data from both Age UK’s national polling and its internally managed survey of people across the UK aged 50 years and over. The data paints a worrying picture for many older people, underlining the case for urgent investment and reform of the services and support people rely on as they age to sustain their health, wellbeing and independence.

Read the Report – We have to take it one day at a time: results of Age UK’s research into the health and care of people aged 50 and over

One hundred not out: a route map for long lives

International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) – 2023

This report sets out the challenges facing communities in an ageing world and includes a mix of next-step solutions, bolder ideas, and international examples that ILC believes could work to tackle them. The report is broken down into 11 chapters (including health and social care), each of which relates to a certain challenge our increasing life span will pose for government, industries, society and individuals.

Read the Report – One hundred not out: a route map for long lives

State of ageing 2023

Centre for Ageing Better – November 2023

This report aims to shine a light on the diversity and inequality among the country’s older populations, including the growing financial pressures felt by many. It looks at housing, financial security, employment, and health and wellbeing.

State of ageing 2023

Could early intervention prevent a retirement disability benefit timebomb?

Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) – September 2023

The increasing number of working-age individuals in the UK unable to work due to sickness or disability is a growing concern. Unless steps are taken to improve the health of individuals, there is a risk of a significant number of people spending a decade or more in retirement on disability benefits. This paper looks at the potential cost of leaving this growth in working-age disability unresolved and provides preventive health recommendations for the public and government.

Read the Report – Could early intervention prevent a retirement disability benefit timebomb?

The state of health and care of older people in England 2023

AGE UK – 2023

This report documents how the health and care system is struggling, and too often failing, to meet the needs of our growing older population. It shows how significant numbers of hospital admissions of older people could be avoided if they received help earlier on, before small health problems mushroom into crises requiring urgent clinical support. However, this will only happen if there is a strong political leadership from the government and a drive right across the NHS and local authorities to make it happen.

Read the Report – The state of health and care of older people in England 2023

The case for more geriatricians: strengthening the workforce to care for an ageing population

British Geriatrics Society – May 2023

This report is intended to start the conversation about the workforce needed to provide high-quality care for the ageing population with increasingly complex needs. It explains why training, recruiting and retaining geriatricians should be a priority, and estimates how many geriatricians are needed to provide safe and effective care for older people. It also outlines some of the structural barriers that currently prevent recruitment and concludes with six calls for governments across the UK.

Read the Report – The case for more geriatricians: strengthening the workforce to care for an ageing population

A good deal for all ages: How Mayoral Combined Authorities can make ageing better in England

Centre for Ageing Better – 13 Mar 2023

This briefing paper looks at the increasingly important role of Mayoral Combined Authorities in addressing demographic change through devolution.

Around 4 in 10 people in England now live in an area with a devolution deal and a directly elected Mayor, and that number is only set to increase. Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) therefore have powers and influence over a large and growing proportion of the population.

Some MCAs are taking deliberate steps to improve outcomes for the over 50s. Strategies across these areas have included a focus on older people in their employment, economic development, housing and other programmes. However, much more can be done.

This briefing paper sets out the key findings from research looking at the attitudes, priorities and opportunities among MCAs to help people live a better later life.

Read the briefing – A good deal for all ages

Beyond the great retirement: understanding and tackling economic inactivity amongst the over 50s

Phoenix – 2023

This report finds that over 50s who have left the workforce due to ill health have just five per cent of the wealth of those who retire early by choice and it identifies six ways the government could tackle economic activity amongst this demographic.

Read the Report – Beyond the great retirement: understanding and tackling economic inactivity amongst the over 50s

Profile of the older population living in England and Wales in 2021 and changes since 2011

Census 2021 – April 2023

Overview of the characteristics of the population aged 65 years and over in 2021 including legal partnership status, living arrangements, ethnicity, religion, health, disability and caring status, and main changes since 2011.

Main points

• Men and women aged 65 years and over living in England and Wales in 2021 were more likely to be divorced and less likely to be widowed than in 2011, in line with increases in life expectancy.
• In 2021, 3.3 million people aged 65 years and over were living alone in England and Wales, 36.3% of older women down from 39.2% in 2011 and 22.7% of older men up from 21.8%.
• Across older age groups, both men and women living in a couple were more likely to be in very good or good health than those not living in a couple, regardless of whether those not living in a couple lived with other people.
• The population aged 65 years and over was more ethnically diverse in 2021 than in 2011, with a decrease from 95.5% to 93.6% in the percentage identifying in the high level white ethnic group and increases in the proportions identifying in all other high level ethnic groups.
• While the population aged 65 years and over living in England and Wales is predominantly Christian, the proportion with no religious affiliation has doubled since 2011, reaching 17.5% in 2021.
• In 2021 there were almost 1.2 million unpaid carers aged 65 years and over in England and Wales, just over 1 in 10 of the older population, with almost half of these providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care a week.

Read the Report – Profile of the older population living in England and Wales in 2021 and changes since 2011

Active ageing and tackling inactivity and economic disadvantage programmes: final evaluation report

Sport England – September 2022

Sport England has worked with 25 Active Ageing partners over the past five years to support more than 30,000 older adults into sport and physical activity. The programme has provided learning on how to provide positive, inclusive physical activity experiences that support older adults to build sport and physical activity into their daily lives. This guide summarises this learning and provides inspiration and actions for organisations wishing to help people become more active.

Read the Report – Active ageing and tackling inactivity and economic disadvantage programmes: final evaluation report