DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (Ref No: PENS-097) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 29 January 2009
Older people are
living longer, healthier lives than they did ten years ago,
according to a report published today.
Not only has life expectancy for those over 65 increased, but
healthy life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy at age
65, have increased.
Pensioners are also better off than they were ten years ago with
their average income growing faster than earnings and their net
income growing 29% between 1997-2007.
Minister Rosie Winterton said:
"We should celebrate the fact that people are now living
longer, healthier lives. In the next 20 years more than half of us
will be over 50. It is vital that we address the needs of
increasing numbers of older people across a whole range of areas
and that is why we are developing a new strategy for an ageing society.
"Younger people now can expect to live longer than ever
before. This brings great opportunities to live a more fulfilling
older life. Young people should start to think about what kind of
life they want to lead when they are older and what they can do
now to prepare for it."
The report "Opportunity Age Indicators" looks at
progress made since the Government published their strategy for an
ageing society in 2005. The new strategy will build on this and
address four key areas: creating an age friendly society,
preparing for later life, living well in later life and providing
stronger protection and support.
Other research published today also shows that a little bit of
help can make a big difference to older people.
The results from a series of pilot schemes across the country
show older people welcome help with little jobs such as gardening
and small household chores, help that can't always be
provided by local authorities. Mental stimulation such as
opportunities to volunteer in their communities and chances to
take up further education were also shown to improve the
well-being of older people.
Rosie Winterton continued:
"It needn't take a lot to make a big difference to
older people. A little bit of help and some joined-up working can
make big improvements to the well-being of pensioners."
The LinkAge Plus pilots promote older people's independence
and develop partnerships between agencies and sectors. This has
led to better working between agencies, joining-up existing and
new provision so that older people are able to access services
through single access points.
Notes to editors
1. The report "Opportunity Age Indicators" and the
"Opportunity Age Strategy" are available at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age/indicators/
2. A summary of the LinkAge Plus report is available here http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/summ2009-2010/554summ.pdf
and the full report is available here http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep554.pdf
3. Opportunity Age is the Government's strategy for an
ageing society. The strategy aims to end the perception of older
people as dependent; ensure that longer life is healthy and
fulfilling; and that older people are full participants in society.
4. Details of the local LinkAge Plus pilots in Devon, Gateshead,
Gloucestershire, Lancaster, Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Salford and
Tower Hamlets are available here http://www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age/linkage/pilots.asp
DWP Press Office 0203 267 5144
Website http://www.dwp.gov.uk