Living a healthy lifestyle know will benefit you later
Less than a third of us are going to reach 65 in a healthy state, according to a new discussion at the International Longevity Centre.
Gains in life expectancy have outstripped gains in healthy life expectancy, meaning that potentially over two thirds of people in the UK could find that they are living their retirement years in ill-health.
Professor Les Mayhew of Cass Business School said: “The good news is that we are all living longer than previous generations. However, if policymakers fail to respond to the longevity challenge, taxes could increase, public spending including pensions could be squeezed and pressures for immigration could increase.
“Longevity needs to be managed if we are to protect living standards of future generations. While a bigger population leads to greater GDP, it does not necessarily translate into higher living standards. Part of the solution lies in re-calibrating our approach to health by recognising the importance of prevention and how health and social care are delivered.”
The debate on “Longevity, health and public policy” saw over 100 delegates from Government, the media and public policy, explore the challenges of increased longevity and the implications for an ageing society.
Professor Michael Murphy of the London School of Economic, (LSE) highlighted the need for us to better understand the impact of demographic change, saying: “While the numbers of older people will increase substantially in decades to come, we know less about how healthy they are likely to be. “Healthy ageing” is moving up the policy agenda but much remains to be done. Looking ahead, the balance of care needs will shift from acute to social care services and the focus of attention will shift from older people in general to the particular needs of the “oldest old.”
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