Ageing Britain

Population

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18 May 2009

People living longer and in better health means they are more prepared to risk making a new start when they retire. Older people have a positive view of their retirement as being a new adventure in their life. So, where do people choose to live when they retire? In England, 43% of over 50s plan to move away from their home town when they retire as they prefer quiet havens to busy cities. Devon, Cornwall and Dorset are firm favourites owing to the warm environment and close proximity to the sea. These locations provide a peaceful environment with a slower pace of life, fabulous scenery, heaps of fresh air in the sea breeze. Retired people can spend lazy days on deck chairs reminiscing over their childhood years as they watch children playing in and out of the waves and building sand castles with a bucket and spade. In Scotland, Fife and Aberdeenshire are desirable areas to retire too. In fact 9 in 10 Scots are planning to stay put when they retire rather than to migrate south like their English counterparts.

Retired people value peace and quiet above public amenities or a social life and this may have its costs if their health deteriorates and they need treatment but live in an isolated location. Already overburdened nursing homes in the South West will not have room for the mass input of ageing people and the subsequent demand on age-related health services. For instance, there is an enormous increase in dementia as people live longer and longer. Dementia can create huge demands on young family members who are often obliged to abandon their own life to look after the sufferer. As well as emotional costs this entails huge financial costs too.

Another issue relates to the pressure on housing. In Devon the influx of retired people is pushing up property prices in an area of low wages, so local young people can’t get on the property ladder.

Old people living a healthy lifestyle, eating well, dealing with stress and getting plenty of exercise can remain healthy into their 70s or 80s (see Tips on Longevity).

Tips for Longevity

1) Eating smaller quantities of food and eating until you are 80% full rather than eating until 100% full.
2) Having a healthy diets and lifestyles
3) Exercising and keeping fit.
4) Being part of a society or group.
5) Spending time with family and friends.
6) Having hobbies such as gardening are very important – looking forward to each season.
7) Having a positive and optimistic attitude - finding happiness in every day.
8) Thinking young and being with young people helps you to stay young.

So, the wider question is what is the role of the old people in society? Should people retire later? Should people be able to work until they are 70 or 80? Should people be given the choice and be able to work longer if they chose to do so? What are the implications for Our Future Planet? We welcome your views.

What is happening in other parts of the world?

In China where there are over 1.3 billion people, there are more younger people - 10% of the population is over 60 and 19% of the population is under 15 years. In India, there are over 1.15 billion people and 32% are younger than 15 years and 5% older than 65 years. Sub-Sahara Africa has the highest youngest population in the world. Over 44% of the population is under 15 years old.

A younger population creates different problems to an ageing one as the population is growing. A rapidly increasing population puts an increased demand on facilities and resources such as food, housing, schools and hospitals. Economists call a young population a window of opportunity or ‘demographic dividend’. If carefully managed and prepared for these growing populations can can benefit a nation’s development. By educating the young and encouraging people to have smaller families these rising populations can stabilize and provide opportunities for a larger, employable workforce and improved health care and social services.

How can we look after our elderly population? How can the developing world look after a growing and younger population? What are your views?