Social Care News

25th February 2013

Over 65s population growth to have huge impact on NHS and social services, Lords told

Warnings about Britain's rapidly ageing population have emerged prompting fears about how social services and the NHS will cope with the dramatic increase in those aged over 65.

In an article on the impact of demographic change published in the Guardian yesterday (Feb 24) Lord Filkin, chair of the Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change, said the committee has been told:

• Half of those born after 2007 can expect to live to over 100.

• Between 2010 and 2030 the number of people aged over 65 will increase by 51%.

• The number of people aged over 85 will double during the same period.

Lord Filkin said the prospect of living longer was a "gift", and added that studies suggest people's happiness peaks after retirement. But six months of evidence-gathering has revealed the huge impact such changes would have on almost every aspect of public life.

The most dramatic warnings to the Lords committee, which focused on 2020-2030, were for the NHS. Filkin warned health bosses must make detailed forecasts as evidence from experts showed the scale of the crisis facing hospitals, specialist services and care homes.

Numbers expected to live to 100 on the rise

Sarah Harper, professor of gerontology at Oxford University, told the peers there were about 8 million people in the UK who would be expected to live to at least 100, and some experts believe at least 50% of children born since 2007 will live until 103.

In the shorter term, the Department of Health expects the number of elderly people aged over 65 to grow by 51% in the two decades to 2030, and those aged over 85 to rise even more steeply, by 101%.

Read the full story here