Survey about ageing well in County Durham

Background

People are now living longer than ever before. Someone aged 65 today can expect to live to 85, nearly ten years longer than their parents' generation. This increase in life span offers many great opportunities for individuals, families, local communities and the economy. Projections show us that people aged 50 plus will increase to 46% of the total population by 2041. Therefore it is important that people are able to age well, enjoy a healthy life and continue to contribute to family, local communities, and the economy.

We have a commitment to develop approaches which help people in County Durham to age well so they can lead long, healthy and independent lives.

We need to understand what people aged 50 plus believe they will need in the future as they will become the next generation of older people. This will help us to plan actions that can help to maintain or improve their health and wellbeing as do so.

 What we are asking about

We want to hear about your experiences as someone over 50 living in County Durham including:

• what ageing well or ageing healthily means to you
• things that affect your ability to live and age healthily
• your current levels of physical and mental health
• the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on your health and wellbeing

Have your say

What happens next

Your comments will be considered and will be used to help to inform a new Ageing Well Strategy for County Durham.

There were a total of 274 responses with 70% of responses from women.  The majority of responses were from people aged between 50 - 69 (87%).

The responses to the questions highlighted that the key themes and barriers to ageing well in County Durham included:

• increasing respect in younger generations
• access to services as people age
• transport links
• cost of living and work insecurity
• availability of suitable housing for older people
• timing and availability of activities for older people who are still working
• the importance of social groups to combat social isolation
• opportunities for volunteering
• the opportunity to plan for older age

The responses were a close fit with the themes picked up as part of the other stakeholder work undertaken as part of this HNA. The information gained from this consultation will be used to inform a new to support people over 50 to age well and lead happy, health and fulfilled lives within their local communities.