Health & social care

Safety and Health of Older People

(GB) In 2005, 60% of people aged 65-74 and 64% of people aged 75 and over reported a longstanding illness. Of those aged between 65 and 74, 37% and, of those aged 75 and over, 47% said that they had a limiting longstanding illness. (35)
The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that there are currently 683,597 people in the UK with dementia, of which only 15,034 are aged under 65. (36)
In 2005, in England and Wales, the deaths of 69 people aged 65 and over involved hypothermia as the underlying cause, according to their death certificates. (37) In the winter of 2005-2006 there were 23,200 more deaths in England and Wales amongst people over the age of 65 compared to levels in the non-winter period.
(Excess winter deaths are the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months, compared to the average number of deaths during the preceding autumn and following summer. The number of additional deaths in winter varies depending on temperature and the level of disease in the population, as well as other factors). (38)
In 2002, 19% of all accidents within the home involved people aged 65 and over. (39)
In England in 2005, of people aged 65 and over, it is estimated that 23% of men and 29% of women had fallen in the last 12 months. (40) In England and Wales in 2005, the number of deaths of people aged 65 and over, which involved a fall as the underlying cause, according to their death certificates, was: – 65-74 243 men and 141 women – 75-84 439 men and 506 women – 85 and over 360 men and 702 women. (41)
(GB) In 2005, of 671 pedestrian fatalities on the road, 267 (39.8%) were people aged 60 and over. (42)
Health and Social Care Services

(GB) In 2005, in a three-month period, 25% of those aged 75 and over had attended the casualty or out-patient department of a hospital, compared with 14% of people of all ages.

(GB) In 2005, of those admitted to hospital in the previous 12 months, the average stay was 8 nights. However, those aged 75 and over spent, on average, 13 nights. (43)

(GB) In 2005, 87% of NHS GP consultations took place in the surgery. Consultations at home were most likely for older people, with 15% of consultations for those aged 75 and over being at home. (44)
In England, from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, 309,000 clients over the age of 65 received home care services, 99,000 received day care and 101,000 received meals. Figures relate to services provided or commissioned by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSRs). (45) In England and Wales, in 2001, 342,032 people aged 65 and over provided 50 hours or more of unpaid care per week.
Between the ages of 65 and 74, 110,930 women were providing care compared with 88,605 men, whereas men aged 75 and over were more likely than women of the same age to be carers, numbering 74,945 compared with 67,552 respectively. (46)
Sources of data used
(35) GHS, op cit, table 7.2 (Trends in self-reported sickness by sex and age...). (36) Dementia UK: summary of key findings – a report into the prevalence and cost of dementia 2007, Personal Social Services Research Unit PSSRU (LSE) and Institute of Psychiatry (King’s College London), for the Alzheimer’s Society. www.alzheimers.org.uk (28/02/07) (37) Mortality statistics: cause, England and Wales, 2005, National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2006, table 3 (Deaths: injury, poisoning and other consequences of external causes: sex and age, 2005). www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/ Dh2_32/Table3.xls (38) Excess winter deaths – by age group and region, National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2006, table (Excess winter deaths by age group and Government Office Region of usual residence, 28 1991/1992-2004/2005 and 2005/2006). www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Expodata/ Spreadsheets/D7089.xls (39) 24th (final) report of the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System 2000, 2001 and 2002 data, Department of Trade and Industry, HASS table 4 (Location of accident within the home by age). www.hassandlass.org.uk (40) Health survey for England 2005: health of older people, Information Centre, NHS 2007, key facts. www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-datacollections/ health-and-lifestyles/health-survey-forengland/ health-survey-for-england-2005:-health-ofolder-people-[ns] (41) Mortality statistics: cause, England and Wales, 2005, op cit, table 2.19 (Death: underlying cause, sex and age-group, 2005: Chapter XX. External causes of morbidity and mortality). www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Dh2_32/ DH2_No32_2005.pdf (42) Road casualties Great Britain 2005: annual report, Department for Transport © Crown Copyright 2006, table 30a (Casualties: by age band, road user type and severity: 2005). www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ accidents/casualtiesgbar/coll_roadcasualtiesgreat britain2/roadcasualtiesgreatbritain2005a (43) GHS, op cit, table 7.27 (Trends in percentages of persons who reported attending an outpatient or casualty department...); table 7.30 (Average number of nights spent in hospital...). (44) Ibid, table 7.20 (NHS GP consultations: trends in site of consultation…); table 7.21 (Percentage of persons who consulted an NHS GP in the 14 days before interview by sex...). (45) Community care statistics 2005-2006 referrals, assessments and packages of care for adults, England, Information Centre, Government Statistical Services © Crown Copyright 2007, tableP2s.1 (Estimated number of clients on the books toreceive community based services…). www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/rapcssr06/report/file (46) Census 2001: national report for England and Wales, National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2002, table T05 (Theme table on people aged 50 and over).
Data from Government sources reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use licence.