Report: Ability of seniors to live self-sufficiently impacted by funding cuts
ByDr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNAL
March 1, 2025
A carer helps an elderly resident - one of three alzheimer sufferers in the establishment- in a house at L'Hay-les- Roses on the outskirts of Paris - Copyright AFP STR
Health experts warn of a crisis of isolation and declining mental health among the elderly in the UK, highlighting the importance of addressing home accessibility before it becomes an even more urgent need. This comes amongst British government spending restraint, including Prime Minster Kier Starmer’s controversial decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
One area where the elderly are at risk when alone at home is from tripping and slipping. With falls being a leading cause of hospital admissions, there is also a critical opportunity to ease pressure on the NHS and social care services.
This tallies with new research by home lift specialists Stiltz, which shows the growing challenges faced by older adults in the UK.
Mobility problems
The survey finds that 92.4 percent of those surveyed (aged 60–99) said maintaining independence at home is crucial, yet 64.4 percent admitted their mental health is suffering due to the struggle to live self-sufficiently.
Furthermore, 80 percent of those polled expressed a preference to stay in their current homes as they age. Despite this, one in six said they have to avoid certain parts of their home due to mobility issues. In addition, the survey of 1,000 people aged 60 to 99 people found that 44.7 percent of respondents struggle with tasks like climbing stairs, increasing their risk of falls and injuries.
This data ties directly to the recent news about families reassessing their loved ones’ living situations, highlighting the need for better education and support to help older adults age safely and comfortably in their homes. According to the charity Age UK:
ByDr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNAL
March 1, 2025
A carer helps an elderly resident - one of three alzheimer sufferers in the establishment- in a house at L'Hay-les- Roses on the outskirts of Paris - Copyright AFP STR
Health experts warn of a crisis of isolation and declining mental health among the elderly in the UK, highlighting the importance of addressing home accessibility before it becomes an even more urgent need. This comes amongst British government spending restraint, including Prime Minster Kier Starmer’s controversial decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
One area where the elderly are at risk when alone at home is from tripping and slipping. With falls being a leading cause of hospital admissions, there is also a critical opportunity to ease pressure on the NHS and social care services.
This tallies with new research by home lift specialists Stiltz, which shows the growing challenges faced by older adults in the UK.
Mobility problems
The survey finds that 92.4 percent of those surveyed (aged 60–99) said maintaining independence at home is crucial, yet 64.4 percent admitted their mental health is suffering due to the struggle to live self-sufficiently.
Furthermore, 80 percent of those polled expressed a preference to stay in their current homes as they age. Despite this, one in six said they have to avoid certain parts of their home due to mobility issues. In addition, the survey of 1,000 people aged 60 to 99 people found that 44.7 percent of respondents struggle with tasks like climbing stairs, increasing their risk of falls and injuries.
This data ties directly to the recent news about families reassessing their loved ones’ living situations, highlighting the need for better education and support to help older adults age safely and comfortably in their homes. According to the charity Age UK:
10% (1.1 million) of older people have difficulty dressing
5% (500,000) of older people have difficulty walking across a room
6% (640,000) of older people have difficulty bathing
1% (140,000) of older people have difficulty eating
6% (600,000) of older people have difficulty getting in and out of bed
4% (440,000) of older people have difficulty going to the toilet
There are around 22 million people aged over 50 in England, equivalent to two in five of the total population and this is rapidly increasing. with the population aged 85 and over growing the fastest.
Reducing strain on the NHS and social care services
Campaigners and experts are urging more to be done to address these barriers. Jayne Armstrong, Brand Supervisor at Stiltz tells Digital Journal: “These figures show the importance of helping older adults feel secure and capable in their own homes. Without greater efforts to address these challenges, we risk a crisis of isolation and declining mental health among the elderly, preventing them from fully enjoying their later years.”
“We need to encourage conversations about home accessibility before it becomes an urgent need,” Armstrong adds. “Simple changes, like installing mobility aids or adjusting home layouts, can make a big difference. Yet too often, these decisions are delayed until it’s too late and challenges come about.”
At the heart of the matter is the UK needing a properly funded and joined-up health and social care system.
“Supporting older people to age in place isn’t just about meeting individual needs, it’s also about reducing strain on the NHS and social care services,” Armstrong concludes. “By helping people live safely in their homes, we can prevent falls, injuries and hospital admissions, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the wider healthcare system.”
5% (500,000) of older people have difficulty walking across a room
6% (640,000) of older people have difficulty bathing
1% (140,000) of older people have difficulty eating
6% (600,000) of older people have difficulty getting in and out of bed
4% (440,000) of older people have difficulty going to the toilet
There are around 22 million people aged over 50 in England, equivalent to two in five of the total population and this is rapidly increasing. with the population aged 85 and over growing the fastest.
Reducing strain on the NHS and social care services
Campaigners and experts are urging more to be done to address these barriers. Jayne Armstrong, Brand Supervisor at Stiltz tells Digital Journal: “These figures show the importance of helping older adults feel secure and capable in their own homes. Without greater efforts to address these challenges, we risk a crisis of isolation and declining mental health among the elderly, preventing them from fully enjoying their later years.”
“We need to encourage conversations about home accessibility before it becomes an urgent need,” Armstrong adds. “Simple changes, like installing mobility aids or adjusting home layouts, can make a big difference. Yet too often, these decisions are delayed until it’s too late and challenges come about.”
At the heart of the matter is the UK needing a properly funded and joined-up health and social care system.
“Supporting older people to age in place isn’t just about meeting individual needs, it’s also about reducing strain on the NHS and social care services,” Armstrong concludes. “By helping people live safely in their homes, we can prevent falls, injuries and hospital admissions, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the wider healthcare system.”
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