Ageing population

Question 1

How many people over 80 are there in the UK? What is the projection for 2050?

Answer 1

There are currently 3.2 million people over the age of 80 living in the UK, and this number is expected to reach nearly 8 million by 2050.

Question 2

Population of over 65s in 2050?

Answer 2

25% of the population will be over 65.

Question 3

What chronic conditions are you aware of and what can be done to prevent the prevalence of these in the UK?

Answer 3

• Arthritis, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s etc.
• Promote healthier choices e.g lower sugar and fat diets, less alcohol.
• Regular activity.

Question 4

How many people over 80 have dementia (as of 2021)?

Answer 4

• As of 2021, one in six people over the age of 80 have dementia.

Question 5

What has been the results of cuts in social care expenditure?

Answer 5

• Increased A&E admissions among people aged 65 and over.
• Leaves older people vulnerable to infection, falls and dehydration.
• Falls can result in bed blocking.

Question 6

Where are old people more likely to live?

Answer 6

• Rural/coastal areas.

Question 7

What are the average UK life expectancies?

Answer 7

• Average life expectancy in the UK is currently at 79.9 years for men and 83.6 years for women.

Question 8

What are the HLE for the UK?

Answer 8

• Healthy life expectancy (HLE) is only 63.1 for men and 63.6 for women.

Question 9

How much greater is public health spending on an 85 y/o compared to a 30 y/o?

Answer 9

Average (public) health spending was five times greater for an 85-year-old than for a 30-year-old in 2015. The population of over 85 year olds is set to increase by 50%.

Question 10

What is the link between health ineuqalities and chronic disease?

Answer 10

People experiencing health inequalities develop long-term conditions earlier, accumulate them faster and live with them longer. This leads to a loss of productivity and higher healthcare expenditure.

Question 11

How do HLEs differ between the most and least deprived areas?

Answer 11

People born in the least deprived areas have HLEs approxiatmely 20 years longer than people born in the least deprived areas.

Marmot report

Question 12

What two things is old age correlated with an increase in?

Answer 12

• multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

Question 13

According to current trends, what proportionof over 65s will have multiple health conditions by 2037?

Answer 13

On current trends, two-thirds of those over 65 will have multiple health conditions, and a third of those people will also have mental health needs by 2037.