Ageing UK population placing huge toll on care of the elderly

Concern are being raised about the pressure our ageing population is exerting on public services and, particularly, the NHS. The Centre for Ageing Better, a charity which pioneers ways to make ‘ageing better’ a reality for everyone, warn that whilst people are living longer than ever, society is unprepared for an older population.
rnn the UK, the population is aging rapidly. The census for 2021 recorded 19% of people as being aged 65 or over, and by 2050, this is projected to increase to 22%. The number of people aged 80 and over is also projected to more than double, reaching six million by 2050.

NHS England reports that there is a rising demand for health services due to an ageing population with increasingly complex and chronic healthcare needs. People are living longer and, as they age, their healthcare needs change. The number of people living with long-term conditions is set to increase, with more individuals managing multiple conditions.

Lucie Prothero, senior associate in the clinical negligence team, who specialises in elderly care claims, comments: “The question remains of how we are going to face up to the scale of increased demand on the NHS. Few could disagree that our public services are in need of change and innovation in order to tackle the major financial challenge presented by our ageing population and to ensure patient safety.

“In our clinical negligence team, we are dealing with an increasing number of cases and enquiries relating to poor standards of elderly care, either in the community setting or in hospitals. For instance, we often act for elderly people where they have suffered avoidable falls or pressure sores while receiving hospital care, which can in many cases have devastating consequences – such as disabling hip fractures, brain injury and even death.

“It is clear to see from our experience of dealing with elderly care claims and enquiries, that the health and social care services are in drastic need of additional and appropriately targeted funding in order to protect the elderly and vulnerable.”