12:02pm Monday 22nd March 2010
LATEST figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal that on average, men and women now aged 65 can expect to live until 82 and 85 respectively. However, the figures also show that of those extra years, men can expect to live over seven years (7.2) with a long-standing illness or disability and women over nine years (9.4).
While our increased life expectancy is cause for celebration, we must ensure that people in later life remain healthy for as long as possible to enable us all to make the most of our extra years.
Science has played a key role in increasing life expectancy, but age-related research looking at the health problems associated with later life remains a hugely underfunded area.
Research into Ageing, the biomedical research arm of Age Concern and Help the Aged, carries out research into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases and disabilities that become more common with age. The Charity funds research into a range of things from incontinence to dementia to nutrition. For more information, or to support Research into Ageing, please visit www.ageing.org or call 0207 239 1984.
(Prof) JAMES GOODWIN
Age UK
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