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Chronically ill elderly 'to rise' | Chronically ill elderly 'to rise' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The UK's ageing population is set to cause a huge rise in the number of older people living with long-term illnesses, campaigners have said. | The UK's ageing population is set to cause a huge rise in the number of older people living with long-term illnesses, campaigners have said. |
Help the Aged says that by 2025 there will be a big increase in the number of over-65s with heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia. | Help the Aged says that by 2025 there will be a big increase in the number of over-65s with heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia. |
It warned this could stretch the NHS to breaking point and called for more research into these conditions. | It warned this could stretch the NHS to breaking point and called for more research into these conditions. |
But the Department of Health said measures were being taken to cope. | But the Department of Health said measures were being taken to cope. |
Having analysed current disease patterns and predictions about the ageing population, Help the Aged made a number of estimates about the future levels of ill health in the elderly population. | Having analysed current disease patterns and predictions about the ageing population, Help the Aged made a number of estimates about the future levels of ill health in the elderly population. |
Unless we find ways to prevent or treat these conditions, the strain on society and its infrastructure will reach breaking point Dr Lorna LaywardHelp the Aged | Unless we find ways to prevent or treat these conditions, the strain on society and its infrastructure will reach breaking point Dr Lorna LaywardHelp the Aged |
The charity said there was likely to be a 46% rise in the number of people living with the effects of stroke, from 601,000 now to 878,000 by the mid 2020s. | The charity said there was likely to be a 46% rise in the number of people living with the effects of stroke, from 601,000 now to 878,000 by the mid 2020s. |
And the researchers said those living with late-onset dementia would go up 50% to one million while the number of elderly people with heart disease would rise by 42% to 2.6 million. | And the researchers said those living with late-onset dementia would go up 50% to one million while the number of elderly people with heart disease would rise by 42% to 2.6 million. |
Levels of incontinence and osteoporosis were also likely to rise by a third, while sight problems could go up by over half, the charity has claimed. | Levels of incontinence and osteoporosis were also likely to rise by a third, while sight problems could go up by over half, the charity has claimed. |
In total, more than six million elderly people could be living with a life-limiting condition by 2025 - a 45% rise, Help the Aged concluded. | In total, more than six million elderly people could be living with a life-limiting condition by 2025 - a 45% rise, Help the Aged concluded. |
These rises mostly mirror the expected increase in the over-65 population which stands at just under 10 million in the UK currently, but will reach about 14 million in 16 years' time. | These rises mostly mirror the expected increase in the over-65 population which stands at just under 10 million in the UK currently, but will reach about 14 million in 16 years' time. |
And the researchers warned such a scenario could see the cost of caring for older people rise from £40bn a year to over £50bn. | And the researchers warned such a scenario could see the cost of caring for older people rise from £40bn a year to over £50bn. |
'Breaking point' | 'Breaking point' |
Dr Lorna Layward, from Help the Aged, said: "Unless we find ways to prevent or treat these conditions, the strain on society and its infrastructure will reach breaking point. | Dr Lorna Layward, from Help the Aged, said: "Unless we find ways to prevent or treat these conditions, the strain on society and its infrastructure will reach breaking point. |
"More attention and funding must be directed to researching the causes, prevention and treatment of the diseases and disabilities that become increasingly common with age." | "More attention and funding must be directed to researching the causes, prevention and treatment of the diseases and disabilities that become increasingly common with age." |
But the government said it was taking the consequences of the ageing population seriously. | But the government said it was taking the consequences of the ageing population seriously. |
The Department of Health said it would soon be publishing plans for an overhaul of social care, while more money than ever was being put into research for these conditions. | The Department of Health said it would soon be publishing plans for an overhaul of social care, while more money than ever was being put into research for these conditions. |
A spokesman said the vascular screening programme which was being phased in from this year would save lives by preventing heart attacks and strokes. | A spokesman said the vascular screening programme which was being phased in from this year would save lives by preventing heart attacks and strokes. |
He added: "The government is already preparing for the pressures of an ageing population." | He added: "The government is already preparing for the pressures of an ageing population." |
Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "An even more pressing problem among the growing number of over-65s is the widening health gap between the haves and have-nots. | |
"Poorer people suffer more chronic disease - and this disparity is getting worse. | |
"We must focus our efforts where the need is greatest." |
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