Summary
Key Issues: Income; Excess winter deaths; Dementia; Social care demand.
Many of the factors that cause people to age differently can be influenced by interventions based on preventative healthcare, lifestyle choices and exercise. In line with national trends, elderly population growth is increasing at a rate greater than the working age population, and these trends will lead to significant demands on public services.
Overview of key trends:
Key headlines:
- Elderly population (age 85+) rising by 42% in the next 10 years (10,200).
- Excess winter deaths fell and similar to national and peers, although two districts (Staffordshire Moorlands & East Staffordshire) are in the 10 worst performing authorities in the West Midlands.
- Small reduction in dementia diagnosis rates and similar to national - by 2030 prevalence is set to increase by 3,500 people.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for adult social care increased; specific impact includes fewer long-term service users and increasing home care demand above Pre-COVID levels.
- Local surveys reported key impacts on health and wellbeing, with respondents most worried about vulnerable family and loneliness. Those with disabilities or limiting illness and those in older age groups were most likely to have needed and received support during the pandemic.
To view the latest Data Update on this topic see our data update page.