Over two thirds of people in the UK could live their retirement years in ill-health the International Longevity Centre (ILC) and Legal & General have told Government and public policy makers.
An ILC debate on "Longevity, health and public policy" noted Government plans to encourage people to work longer and the standard of living that people will have, as well as level of care available, may all be undermined if this challenge is not tackled now.
Professor Les Mayhew of Cass Business School said: "If policymakers fail to respond to the longevity challenge, taxes could increase, public spending including pensions could be squeezed and pressures for immigration could increase.
"Longevity needs to be managed if we are to protect living standards of future generations.
"Part of the solution lies in re-calibrating our approach to health by recognising the importance of prevention and how health and social care are delivered."
The event also saw the launch of a new factpack, Ageing, longevity and demographic change, sponsored by Legal & General, collates statistics on our ageing society from a variety of reputable sources, providing, in a single document, details of key longevity trends and statistics, that will then be updated annually.
Baroness Sally Greengross chief executive of the ILC-UK said: "This new factpack highlights the significant impact demographic change is likely to have on public policy. Policymakers have a responsibility to understand demographic change and plan for an ageing society."
The factpack highlights life expectancy statistics for England & Wales, show a man aged 65 will live for 18.2 years and a woman aged 65, for 20.8 years but, of the top four diseases in the UK, dementia, cancer, stroke and heart disease - dementia contributes to over 50% of the care costs, but receives only 6% of the funding.
Professor Michael Murphy of the London School of Economic, (LSE) commented: "While the numbers of older people will increase substantially in decades to come, we know less about how healthy they are likely to be.
"Healthy ageing" is moving up the policy agenda but much remains to be done. Looking ahead, the balance of care needs will shift from acute to social care services and the focus of attention will shift from older people in general to the particular needs of the "oldest old."
