Improving later life - Understanding the oldest old

Michelle MitchellCharity Director GeneralAge UK

This is the generation who……

First First World World WarWar

NHSNHS

Cold Cold WarWar

Computers Computers and and

internetinternet

Second Second World WarWorld War

Great Great DepressionDepression

LandgirlsLandgirlsMunitionsMunitions

17 17 PMsPMsMan on the Man on the

moonmoon

Test Test tube tube

babiesbabies

Age of Age of austerityausterity

Martin Martin Luther Luther KingKing

60s60s

The ‘fourth’ generation

• What was formerly a small group of exceptional individuals is rapidly becoming a whole new generation

• Fastest growing age group (1.4m today - 5m

by 2050, 85+ UK)• Largest users of health and social care• Most likely to have needs AND face barriers• There is a knowledge ‘shadow’ about this age group

We should be celebrating longevity

We want to increase understanding and challenge assumptions, especially the 'demographic time bomb'

www.ageuk.org.uk/oldest 

Some stats

• Once you’ve got to 85, you can still expect to live for an average of 7 years

• People in their 80s are happier than young adults (20yrs + and middle age up to 59 years)

• Two thirds of all those 80+ living in the community live independently

 • Only about 16% of people over 85 live in residential care

However:

• One in five people 80+ feels depressed much of the time

• Over 80s are much more likely (nearly 6x as likely) to have difficulties managing money than people in their 60s and 70s

• Over 80 per cent of people aged 80+ in England have a limiting longstanding illness

• The over 80s are twice as likely to feel lonely much of the time as those in their 60s and 70s

What the book tells us

• People get more diverse the older they get• Chronological age should not be the deciding

factor for health and social care• A lot of things assumed to be inevitable aren’t and

can be treated• Prevention and early treatment key in keeping the

very old from being frail and dependent• The social interaction needs we all have continue

to be important, if not more so, as we get very old• There is never an age when it’s best to sit and rest

all the time• Life isn’t over once you hit 85 – many enjoy

independence and a good quality of life

Abandon

preconceptions

about the oldest old

Ignore age and look at the person

Learn from the Learn from the oldest oldoldest old

Understand the importanceof social relationships

Prevent, identify,and treat depression

Help people live wellHelp people live wellwith dementiawith dementia 

Realise that exercise is still key for the oldest old Keep teeth and mouths healthyKeep teeth and mouths healthy

Manage sleep

Pro

vide tech

no

log

y for

all

Key messages

Listen to and care about the oldest old

Photograph taken by Sue Rea as part of Maeve Rea’s research

‘I don’t feel 90, just 21 and a wee bit.’

‘I would like to try and reach 100 – and over it.’

‘My family are all very good. All very good.’

What would help

• Health and care services tailored to individual needs and based on a more sophisticated understanding of our ageing population

• The NHS improving access to key services for older people

• Education and training of care professionals adapted to our older and ageing population

• Care, support and local services focused more on preventing the onset of health conditions and creating living spaces that promote active ageing

• Approaching care with full regard for older people’s dignity

• Public and private service providers supporting greater intergenerational contact to help combat ageism