Key Issues
Health: The cost of healthcare is set to rise as health services have to find the extra resources to support the increasing number of ageing bodies in society. Long term illnesses and conditions will need to be managed. Dementia, in particular could push the system to breaking point (The Independent, 2008). 48 per cent of those aged over 75 have a limiting longstanding illness (Office for National Statistics, 2009). Choice and control over individual health conditions will become increasingly important.
Mobility: A key concern for older people is remaining mobile and accessing support when needed. Public and private modes of transport have to develop with the older traveller in mind. By 2050, 40 per cent of the entire driving population will be aged 60 or over, and almost a quarter will be 70 or over (Association of British Insurers, 2006). Many rely on their vehicle for mobility but will lose this if the car is priced out of the city.
Consumerism: 55 per cent of older people feel that businesses have little interest in older people’s consumer needs (Age Friendly Survey, 2009). Yet most find advertising or marketing, which are obviously targeting them, as patronising. What they want is to be included rather than singled out as a ‘special needs’ group.
Isolation: Three million older people in the UK do not have visitors or the opportunity to leave the home (Harrison and Plumbe, 2007). This can leave people feeling isolated and desiring human contact. Digital connection does not easily replace physical contact for this age group (Kunur and Gheerawo, 2007).
Technology: Over 50 per cent of people aged 60-69 feel getting to grips with technology seems to get harder with age. Nearly 70 per cent of those aged over 70 also feel this way (Lifestage, 2008). Older people want technology that specifically benefits them and many own mobile phones, but they do not want their lives to be dominated by it. Technology should bend to fit their needs, not the other way around.
Accessibility: Navigating the city, using public transport and entering buildings can all pose problems for older people if they are not designed to be accessible and easy to use. What is good for older people also has value for anyone with special mobility needs.
Sources
The Independent (2008) Care of the elderly: Britain counts the cost of rise in dementia by Nina Lakhani. [Retrieved July 2008]
Office for National Statistics (2009) Mid-2007 Population Estimates
Association of British Insurers (2006) Older Drivers and the Insurance Market, p.4
Age Friendly Survey (2009), ICM Research
Harrison, Matthew and Plumbe, Cian (2007) TwoTone Phone: Access to Broadband for the Digitally Excluded. Research Associate Report, Helen Hamlyn Centre, Royal College of Art, London.
Kunur, Merih and Gheerawo, Rama (2007) Connections: Mobility, Ageing and Independent Living, Helen Hamlyn Centre, Royal College of Art, London. ISBN 978-1-905000-47-0
Lifestage (2008) The Older Consumer. Age Concern, p.31