10 essential facts and figures about ageing in the UK

10 essential facts and figures about ageing in the UK

1. Growing Older Population

• By 2030, one in five people in the UK will be aged 65 or over, with this demographic projected to continue growing.

2. Increased Life Expectancy

• Life expectancy at birth in the UK is approximately 79.4 years for males and 83.1 years for females, based on 2020 data.

3. Health Inequalities in Older Adults

• Older adults from deprived areas are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes and reduced life expectancy compared to those from more affluent areas.

4. Common Health Conditions in Older Age

• The most prevalent health conditions among older adults in the UK include hypertension (71%), arthritis (64%), and dementia (6%).

5. Polypharmacy in Older Adults

• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of people aged 75 and over take four or more medicines daily, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and interactions.

6. Social Isolation and Loneliness

• Around 10% of people aged 65 and over report feeling lonely often or always, with social isolation posing significant risks to both physical and mental health.

7. Care Home Residents

• There are approximately 410,000 care home residents in the UK, with the majority being older adults.

8. Dementia Prevalence

• Dementia affects approximately 10% of those aged 80 and 20% of those aged 90, with over 1 million people in the UK living with the condition.
• This number projected to increase to 1.6 million by 2040.

9. Older Adults and Emergency Admissions

• People aged 65 and over account for approximately 65% of emergency hospital admissions in the UK.

10. Importance of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)

• CGA is a crucial tool for assessing the complex needs of older adults, enabling healthcare professionals to develop tailored care plans that address their unique physical, psychological, and social requirements.

Summary

We have described 10 essential facts and figures about ageing in the UK. We hope it has been helpful.