Reaching the age of 81 is considered a 'good innings', survey finds

The majority of people in Britain would be “grateful” to reach their early eighties with any time after being “a bonus”, a new study has revealed.

The study by Benenden Healthcare found that the average Brit would like to live until the age of 83 and that most people would rather pass away long before being a burden to the family due to illness or a lack of physical mobility.

Surprisingly, one in six of the British people surveyed would be happy just to reach the age of 70 and only a quarter wanted to live to 100 years-of-age.

The research, commissioned by leading health and wellbeing mutual organisation, Benenden Healthcare Society, found Brits consider anyone who reaches the age of 81 to have had a “good innings”.

Nick Breton, head of research for Benenden Healthcare said: “The UK has an ageing population and successive generations are getting larger. This means that the issue of care for the elderly is a real ticking time-bomb as public funding for care becomes increasingly restricted.

“It’s perhaps no surprise then to see that most of us would rather pass away before becoming a burden on others, which is a sad state of affairs. Attitudes to health and wellbeing in the elderly are changing and we’re seeing improved approaches to maintaining fitness well into later life.

“Of course, a huge range of factors can influence longevity of life and we can’t always prevent the unexpected. But giving yourself a good base in your approach to health and wellbeing can help towards ensuring a 'good innings'.”

Of the people surveyed, a life well lived, meant travelling to at least five countries and one in four people thought a “good innings” wasn’t complete without making some really big mistakes along the way.

The average Brit believes they will only make it to 75. Maybe this is because seven out 10 people think the way they live their life today will have severe impacts on them in old age. Lack of exercise was given as the biggest worry, while four in ten think their diet will cause them problems and a quarter expect to pay later in life for the amount of alcohol they drink.

Living to an older age in Britain is less appealing because of the financial climate and cost of care agreed 70 per cent of respondents and two thirds of people don’t think the elderly are treated well in this country.

The perks to old age were not having to worry about what’s ‘cool’ or what other people think of them. Being more relaxed about their own image and body weight, skipping queues and being able to get out of things by saying “I’m tired” were other common plusses.

A fifth of people surveyed said they make careful decisions now in order to set themselves up well for old age.

Nick Breton said: “It’s good to see that 4-in-10 have a ‘c’est la vie’ approach to life and will enjoy themselves no matter what. A fifth are also making those important decisions which will make old age more manageable.

“We are, however, seeing worries around exercise, diet and consumption of alcohol and the impact they could potentially have on longevity.

“83 years of age is above the national average for both men and women, so giving yourself the best opportunity of achieving a good innings can be kick-started with an improved approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”