Ageing population seen as one of the top three challenges facing the UK

The ageing population is seen to be the third top challenge facing Britain, over the next 20 years, with healthcare and immigration coming first and second, according to a new survey.

The YouGov poll commissioned by Independent Age, the older people’s charity, found four fifths (79 per cent) of adults think the ageing population will present a large challenge for the UK.

A third of all adults are concerned about someone aged over 65, with physical health (63 per cent), mobility levels (48 per cent) and loneliness and isolation (46 per cent) being the greatest concerns that people have about their friends and relatives aged over 65.

If a person lives alone, the greatest concern of their friends and relatives is that they will feel lonely and isolated (66 per cent).

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “It’s important that people have recognised the country’s ageing population as one of the most important issues facing our society and acknowledge it is one that will only continue to grow over the next two decades. These findings suggest that as a nation there is a need to form a coherent approach to ageing and older age to ensure it is not experienced with fear, but positivity and optimism.”

George McNamara, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Society called for “bold reform” by the Government to tackle the problem, saying: “The fact that people are living longer due to advances in medical research and public health is something to be celebrated. However, as age is the greatest risk factor for dementia in many ways this means it's become a victim of its own success. Numbers of people with dementia are soaring but the health and social care system is still not geared up to best provide for them. With hospitals under immense pressure it is clear more of the same will not work. We need bold reform bringing together health and social care and an end to cuts to community care and support.”

He added that “this is also a challenge to society as a whole. We need a Minister for Older People round the Cabinet table banging the drum for older people so that policies work for them. It is worrying that they and particularly people with dementia face isolation and loneliness in later life. Our communities are not meeting the needs of people with dementia and this must change.”

The survey also revealed that over a third (37 per cent) of over 65s are concerned about their current overall health. Over a quarter (28 per cent) of over 65s are concerned about their current financial situation. Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of over 65s are concerned about the amount of social contact they have with others – rising to 26 per cent among those aged over 85.

The poll questioned 2,421 UK adults to explore the support needs among over 65s in the UK, and the role of charities and voluntary sector organisations in supporting older people. The survey was commissioned as part of 2030 Vision, a national consultation run by Independent Age about how to make the UK the best country to grow older in.