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The future of transport in an ageing society
- Authors:
- HOLLEY-MOORE George, CREIGHTON Helen
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 32
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out the key transport challenges that are arising from the UK’s ageing population. Using analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), as well as evidence from transport experts at a stakeholder’s workshop, this report argues that the current transport system is failing to meet the needs of too many older people. Despite free bus travel, one third of over 65s in England never use public transport. And over half either never use public transport or use it less than once a month. Approximately 35,000 people aged 65-84 in England have difficulty walking even a short distance, but are restricted to using public transport making any journey difficult. 1.45 million over 65s find it quite difficult or very difficult to travel to a hospital, whilst 630,000 over 65s find it difficult or very difficult to travel to their GP. Furthermore, the report shows that it is the oldest old, those who are in poor health and those living in rural areas who are let down the most by the current public transport system: Among the over 80s less than 55 per cent report finding it easy to travel to a hospital, a supermarket or a post office. Among the over 65s who report that it is ‘Very Difficult’ for them to travel to see their GP, less than 30 per cent are in good health. Just 20 per cent of those aged 70-74 living in rural areas use public transport weekly, compared to 38 per cent of those who live in an urban setting. The report argues that with the start of the new Parliament it is time to embrace the opportunities for improvement. In particular, devolution of central Government powers to local communities could mean more flexible transport services which better reflect the needs of older people, while advances in technology, including driverless cars, could further expand older people’s transport options. (Edited publisher abstract)
The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the first in a two part series summarising UCL research and exploring the policy implications of the work, focuses on social relationships and subjective wellbeing. It highlights that the loneliest and most socially isolated individuals have consistently lower levels of subjective wellbeing than older people who are more socially connected. Both the size of an individual's social network and their frequency of contact with that network are positively associated with wellbeing over 6 years of follow up. While older people begin to see a rise in their wellbeing in later life, those who are socially isolated do not. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how a rapidly ageing population could potentially lead to greater numbers of lonely and socially isolated older people if nothing is done to address this issue. It then explores the policy implications of the research, showing that while social isolation and loneliness among older people have been rising up the policy agenda in recent years, the true extent of the loneliness problem is not currently fully known as the government only measures loneliness among those in care or caring for others. (Edited publisher abstract)
The emotional wellbeing of older carers
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the second in a two part series summarising research from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London (UCL), focuses on the subjective wellbeing of older carers. The research finds that: long term caregiving was associated with declines in quality of life and life satisfaction for carers, and an increased risk of depression; and giving up caregiving was associated with increased depression amongst both male and female carers. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how the ageing population could potentially lead to large increases in the number of older carers, with the number of carers over 65 already having risen by 35 per cent since 2001. It also highlights the day-to-day realities faced by many older carers, including a high risk of emotional distress; the loss of friends, either because of a lack of time to socialise or because friends were unable to properly understand the constraints and strains of caring; and potential health risks. The report explores the policy implications of the research, highlighting that few policies and support services are aimed at older carers specifically. The report suggests that more could be done to protect the emotional wellbeing and mental health of older carers, through appropriate support being provided at all stages of the caregiving cycle. (Edited publisher abstract)
The rise and rise of the silver separator
- Authors:
- FRANKLIN Ben, CREIGHTON Helen
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines trends on divorce amongst the over 60s – a growing phenomenon which some have labelled the rise of the silver separator. The report looks at the rise in divorce rates in some detail with regard to England and Wales, seeking to understand what has been driving it and what some of its implications might be. It shows that from 1990 to 2012, the number of men and women experiencing divorce aged 60 or above has risen by over 85 per cent and the rate continues to rise. By 2037, almost 1 in every 10 people experiencing divorce will be aged over 60. The report sets out the main driving factors in increasing divorce rates among older people, including: people marrying later in life; rising employment amongst women, which equates to more financial independence; increased chances of divorce associated with people living longer; and changes in social attitudes towards divorce. The report suggests that as divorce rates increase caring responsibilities may increasingly have to be taken on by people’s children or by paid carers. Divorced older men are more likely to rely on institutional care than divorced older women, who are more likely to be able to rely on their children. This also has implications for isolation among older men. In addition, evidence shows that divorced parents are more susceptible to loneliness and depression than married parents in later life and that divorce has a negative effect on both physical and mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
Opportunity knocks: designing solutions for an ageing society
- Authors:
- SINCLAIR David, CREIGHTON Helen
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
Report exploring how good design, technology and innovation could better respond to the challenges of an ageing society. The report begins by assessing the scale of the challenge, looking at the implications of an ageing society and the technological progress already made. It then highlights why technology and design hasn't fulfilled its potential in tackling ageing and outlines what needs to happen to resolve this. The second half of the report looks at five specific challenges facing an ageing population: healthcare, the home environment, leisure, transport and money. It details ways in which existing technologies might be better applied, and new technologies might be developed, to support the needs of older people. The ideas are not designed specifically for ageing, but aim to ensure that older people can maximise the benefit of new technology. Ideas include: a kettle which monitors blood pressure; TV buddies to allow people to remotely share the experience of watching a programme; and a smart water bottle which would prompt people to drink more to prevent dehydration. The suggestions originate from a workshop of experts held in May 2015. The report has been produced by ILC-UK, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge’s Engineering Design Centre and the Institute of Engineering and Technology. (Edited publisher abstract)
Europe's ageing demography: an ILC-UK 2014 EU factpack
- Author:
- CREIGHTON Helen
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
A snapshot of what it means to be old in Europe today and the demographic changes Europe will experience over the next half century. This factpack sets out the evidence on a number of areas including health and life expectancy, with men born in Western Europe today expected to live for 67.5 years in good health. It also includes a focus feature on pensioner poverty with evidence showing that over 70 per cent of Bulgarian pensioners living in material deprivation. And it looks at the employment and retirement prospects of older workers, where it finds that on average, only 1 in 2 55-64 year olds are employed across the region. The factpack also investigates the costs of ageing, comparing spending on pensions, health and long term care across Europe. Here it finds that while Denmark spends over €5,000 euros per person on social protection in old age, Latvia, Romania and Croatia spend only one tenth of this. (Edited publisher abstract)