Councils unprepared for England's ageing population

The Audit Commissions new report, Dont stop me now: Preparing for an ageing population, published today (17 July) has found that councils in England, particularly those which have the fastest ageing populations, are not ready to meet the challenges or grasp opportunities as we get older.

 Although the governments 2005 strategy for older people, Opportunity Age, has the potential to improve the lives of an ageing population, so far it hasnt delivered those benefits to older people across the country, the report finds. Read the Dont stop me now report in full.

The report asked older mystery shoppers to identify the everyday challenges they face in accessing council services. They approached 49 councils asking a series of questions and found that most councils need to improve the way they provide information in key areas such as volunteering, leisure and social activities, learning opportunities and transport.

Older people, defined by government as the over-50s, will make up more than one in three of the population by 2009, but the report reveals that most council services focus on the minority who require social care, excluding the invisible majority who may end up isolated and vulnerable if ignored.

Michael OHiggins, Chairman of the Audit Commission, said:
By 2029 nearly 40 per cent of Englands population will be over 50. These are active people, anxious to stay independent as long as possible. Despite the stereotypes, only 3 per cent of people aged between 65 and 80 live in residential care. But its worrying that the councils in areas with the most over 50s are the least prepared to cope with their long-term needs and interests.

Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV. As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative. There will be different opportunities in different areas, but there has already been innovative action from some forward-thinking councils. Penwith, Dudley and Blackpool have produced a variety of solutions such as special home safety checks, a falls prevention programme and even a radio station set up and run by older people. All are in place as age-proofing measures to prevent social isolation and support independent living without incurring great expense.

Englands ageing population facts and myth-busting
 

• Englands population is ageing and the trend is accelerating. In 2009 around 17.7 million people (34 per cent of the population) will be aged 50 or over; by 2029 it will have increased by more than a quarter to 22.9 million, so 40 per cent of people will be aged 50 or over.
• In 2009 there will be 2.4 million people in England aged 80 or over; by 2029 the figure will be 4.3 million.
• Three-quarters of people aged over 65 voted in the 2005 General Election.

The report says government should show clearer national leadership and work with councils to provide guidance and evaluate progress. Councils can prepare for an ageing population by making better use of information, reviewing demographic profiles and using local knowledge to target money and services effectively. They should also improve evaluation by testing local satisfaction and experience to assess age-proofing of services.