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Falling fertility figures and an ageing elderly population are set to heap huge pressure on Britain's care homes and hospitals, warns a report.
the UK's population is ageing fast, with statisticians predicting a huge increase in the number of 100-year-olds by the next century. according to recent estimates, the number of people over 60 could rise by 40 per cent in the
next 30 years.
In 1995 there were less than 9million people over 65 in the UK - by 2030 there may be about 13million.
At the same time, fertility is set to fall as women leave childbirth later and later. this means there will be fewer young people supporting a growing elderly population. in march last year, the royal commission on long-term care for the elderly, which was set up by the government, recommended that all nursing and personal care should be provided free. however, the government has yet to respond to its main recommendations.
A spokesman for help the aged tells Stir it up: "Without a boost in those services which support independence, there is likely to be increasing pressure on those that cater for dependence: our hospitals, nursing and residential homes. "With people living longer and longer because of medical and other advances, health experts believe the number of people suffering from debilitating conditions such as cancer and heart disease will grow and could mean a rising demand for nursing care." the World health organisation (WHO) warns that the impact on health could be enormous.
It predicts a big rise in cancers, coronary
heart disease, diabetes, dementia and other illnesses related to ageing.
the organisation wants a national strategy which sets a framework that encourages independence and inclusion. it says that such a strategy would be much cheaper than putting people into care homes.
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