14 Hillview Business Park
Old Ipswich Road
Claydon, Ipswich
Suffolk IP6 0AJ
Tel: 01473 359911
Fax: 01473 287955
Email: office@ageuksuffolk.org
Website: www.ageuksuffolk.org
The new name of
Age Concern Suffolk
The local partner of Age UK
For immediate release
Date: 15th March 2013
NEWS RELEASE
Suffolk’s Over 85s to Double by 2030
Under the Chairmanship of Lord Filkin, a House of Lords committee has warned that
England is 'woefully under-prepared' for the country's ageing population.
This comes on the back of the definitive report, ‘Improving Later Life Understanding
the Oldest Old’ published by Age UK on Monday, into the lives and health of people
over 85, the fastest growing demographic group in the UK redefining the frontiers of
human existence.
The cross-party House of Lords committee acknowledged that while longer living is
a 'gift', it could cause 'a series of crises' for public services and society unless things
change.
A 'ground-breaking' report from the committee drew attention to figures from the
Office for National Statistics which predict a 50% rise in people aged over 65
between 2010 and 2030.
Meanwhile, the population of over-85s is set to double during the same period. In
Suffolk alone this equates to a rise of some 110% over the next 20 years based on
there being 20,500 aged 85 and over in 2010 rising to 28,100 by 2020 and some
43,100 by 2030.
With this in mind, the House of Lords committee wants the Government to introduce
a white paper ahead of the 2015 general election to outline plans to better cope with
England's older population.
It is thought that health and social care services in particular will need to adopt a
'radically different model' to provide suitable home care and cut down on needless
hospital admissions.
The committee noted that older people are already being failed by the current NHS
set-up and this will only be exacerbated as the average population gets older.
Age UK Suffolk is already well placed to work with, and in partnership with, a
number of the statutory agencies in order to ensure the best and most suitable
provision is made to support the older person here in Suffolk.
WORKING WITH SENIOR CITIZENS TO MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE
President: The Countess of Euston  Registered Office: 14 Hillview Business Park, Claydon, Ipswich IP6 0AJ
Age UK Suffolk is the working name of Age Concern Suffolk, an independent local charity
Company limited by guarantee  Registered in England No 4150543  Registered Charity No 1085900
Martyn Green Chief Executive welcomed both of these reports and said
“It is a major step forward to have a group of senior policy makers, showing for the
first time that they have a good grasp and understanding of the forthcoming needs
and changing environment in which we will be living.
In Suffolk there will be a significantly higher than average increase in our over 85
population, most of whom will be leading active, vibrant lives with a wish to remain
actively involved in their communities for longer. The committee’s recommendation
that people should, if they choose to, stay in work for longer, with part-time
employment a way to remove the 'cliff-edge' retirement system at a particular age is
to be welcomed.
The report recognises the need for major changes across society to ensure the gift
of longer life can be celebrated. The report lays down a significant challenge which
must be picked up and acted upon.
I firmly believe that there needs to be a complete rethink into how the health and
social care agenda is delivered. This needs to have a holistic approach with health
and social care being jointly commissioned, ensuring that professionals can work
more effectively and resources used most efficiently in order that the health and
social care system can deliver and respond well 24 hours a day, seven days a
week”.
-ends –
Age UK Suffolk is a local independent charity working with and for older people and
their family carers in Suffolk.
Notes to editors:
Related report - Improving Later Life Understanding the Oldest Old
www.ageuk.org.uk/oldest
Contact:
Lesley Chandler
Age UK Suffolk
14 Hillview Business Park
Old Ipswich Road
Claydon, Ipswich IP6 0AJ
01473 298685
Email Lesley.chandler@ageuksuffolk.org
WORKING WITH SENIOR CITIZENS TO MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE
President: The Countess of Euston  Registered Office: 14 Hillview Business Park, Claydon, Ipswich IP6 0AJ
Age UK Suffolk is the working name of Age Concern Suffolk, an independent local charity
Company limited by guarantee  Registered in England No 4150543  Registered Charity No 1085900