Healthy Ageing JSNA (2024) - Publications

The number of people aged 65+ with multiple health conditions is expected to rise substantially over the coming decades, driven by an ageing population, an earlier onset of long-term conditions, and people living for longer with health conditions.

Health inequalities are experienced across all health conditions explored in this section. This report highlights inequalities for people living in more deprived areas, people from an ethnic minority background, and males.

Lifestyle factors such as weight management, exercise, diet, alcohol use, substance abuse, and smoking are common risk factors for many health conditions explored in this section. Combating these will help prevent people develop conditions and improve the management of conditions.

Older adults can experience greater harm from alcohol than someone 10, 20, or 30 years younger at similar consumption due to age-related changes in metabolism and sensitivity, interactions with medications, and pre-existing health conditions.

Good nutrition supports healthy ageing by helping to maintain muscle strength, cognitive function, immunity, and energy levels, whilst also reducing the risk of frailty and preventable ill-health.

Older adults are more vulnerable to the impacts of flu, pneumonia, shingles, and COVID-19, all of which can be safely vaccinated against.

Staying active is essential for physical, mental, and social wellbeing, by helping to prevent the loss of functional ability, preventing health conditions, supporting recovery from illness, reducing hospital admissions, and reducing isolation.

It is never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking when older can increase healthy and overall life expectancy, whilst providing positive short and long-term impacts on conditions that affect us as we age.

Mental health conditions in older adults can be overlooked, either by the individual or by those supporting them. It’s important that mental health conditions are not accepted as an inevitable part of ageing, and older adults are encouraged to access support.

There is a strong link between good mental health and physical health. This is particularly important as we age due to increasing health needs.

There are lower rates of common mental health conditions in those aged 65+ compared to younger ages and a higher recovery rate for those aged 65+ who access Talking Therapies. However, referral numbers in to Talking Therapies are low for this age group, and there is a high and increasing rate of antidepressant use.

Our mental health can be positively or negatively impacted by the society, culture, environment, and economy we live in. The five ways to wellbeing provides an examples of how we can support our mental health.

In Warwickshire, older adults will form a growing proportion of the workforce, alongside a larger cohort transitioning to retirement. Employers need to adopt age-friendly practices to help older workers remain in and thrive at work, and help organisations benefit from their experience, skills, and knowledge.

With older people spending 80% of their time on average at their home, having a home that is affordable, safe, and warm is fundamental to physical and mental health as people age. Living in homes not designed for older people increase the risk of falls and can lead to a loss in confidence and independence.

Transport is important for social connectedness, staying active, and accessing services as people age. Without viable transport options, particularly when an older person stops driving, there can be a rapid loss of independence, particularly in rural areas.

Most older adults remain independent for much of their later life, with increasing age leading to more acute need. There is a range of support available with need influenced by physical and mental health, disability, financial circumstances, social connections, and living environments.

Low-income households face poorer health outcomes, and they may also live in fuel poverty.

Social inclusion and connection are essential components of healthy ageing. Having opportunities to participate in community life, maintain meaningful relationships, and contribute to society supports wellbeing, resilience, and independence.

Caring can impact health, with greater effect on those who are ageing themselves. Older carers often say their caring impacts their physical and mental health, they’ve lost sleep due to worry, they feel under strain, and they have felt unhappy or depressed.

Some veterans face barriers accessing healthcare, including difficulty navigating civilian services after leaving the Armed Forces, limited awareness of veteran-specific support, and reluctance to seek help.

In Warwickshire, both males and females aged 65-69 can expect to live around half their remaining life in good health. In England, those aged 65-69 living in the most deprived areas live fewer years, and with more of them in poor health than in less deprived areas.

Most deaths occur in people aged 65+, with many of those being in those aged 80+. Whilst not all deaths are preventable, the leading causes of death share common risk and protective factors. Ensuring people are leading healthy lifestyles, have access to the healthcare they need, and are positively supported around the wider determinants can help delay avoidable deaths and support people to live longer, healthier lives.

For many people, where they die is an important part of what they consider to be a good death. Many older people prefer to die in familiar surroundings, such as their own home, where they can be close to family and friends. When people are unable to die in their preferred place it can cause additional distress for both the individual and their loved ones at an already difficult time.