Ageing Brits ignoring health warnings: New report investigates the health and wellbeing of older Britons. We all know that health problems become more common as we age but when it comes to wellbeing, thousands of Britons are putting their heads in the sand and avoiding GP visits, according to new research published by the Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel (ShARP). The poll of 1,000 people aged 40 to 75, found that most had noticed a deterioration in their health, with joint problems (59%), weight gain (57%) and low energy (51%) the most commonly reported changes they had noticed with age.

1. Ageing Brits
ignoring
health
warnings
New report
investigates the
health and wellbeing
of older Britons
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2. 2
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3. Contents
Page
Foreword: Older Britons avoiding health checks
2
Section 1: Middle aged Britain and beyond
4
Section 2: The shape we are in
6
Section 3: The good life
12
Section 4: Eye say
16
Last word
20
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4. Foreword: Older Britons avoiding
health checks
We all know that health problems become more common
as we age but when it comes to wellbeing, thousands of
Britons are putting their heads in the sand and avoiding
GP visits, according to new research published by the
Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel (ShARP).1
The poll1 of 1,000 people aged 40 to 75, found that most
had noticed a deterioration in their health, with joint problems
(59%), weight gain (57%) and low energy (51%) the most
commonly reported changes they had noticed with age.
Yet only one in four (28%) said they were seeing their GP
more frequently, while one in six (16%) is actively staying
away from the GP surgery, the research for ShARP has
found. Those aged over 55 years were the most likely
to have medical issues but also the most likely to avoid
checks, with one in five (20%) seeing their doctor less often,
compared to one in ten (11%) of the 40 to 45 year olds.
2
Of even greater concern, is the fact that one in four (26%) of
those questioned admit they turn to the internet first when
they have a medical problem, with all age groups showing a
similar reliance on the web.
Whilst there are many trustworthy websites such as NHS
Choices and those run by high profile charities like Cancer
Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, there are
many online health pages which provide dubious advice.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found
that only just over a third (39%) of websites gave the correct
answers to five common paediatric questions.2 This echoed
an earlier BMJ investigation which warned: “Only a few
websites provided complete and accurate information.”3
1 One Poll survey of 1,000 people aged 40 - 75 carried out in October 2013
2 http://adc.bmj.com/content/95/8/580.full
3 http://www.bmj.com/content/314/7098/1875.full
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5. Researchers at Durham University found even websites with
‘expert ratings’ can be flawed,4 and the US health watchdog
Science-Based Medicine has warned that the usually reliable
HON ratings granted by the Health On the Net Foundation
can be found on web pages with questionable content.5
However self care has never been more important. GPs
around the country are warning that falls in funding will make
it harder to get an appointment,6 NHS Direct is soon to
close7 and experts are predicting a crisis in emergency care.8
The following report from ShARP sets out the latest science
on ageing and explores the health and wellbeing of older
Britons, that should serve as a wake-up call to us all.
4
5
6
7
8
http://dro.dur.ac.uk/2613/
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/reliability-of-health-information-on-the-web/
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/news/2013/november/waiting-times-for-gps-predicted-to-worsen-this-winter.aspx
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en/News/LatestNews
http://www.collemergencymed.ac.uk/Shop-Floor/Professional%20Standards/Consultant%20Working%20and%20Job%20Planning/Stretched%20to%20the%20limit/default.asp
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6. Section 1: Middle-aged Britain and beyond
We are living longer than ever before. Average life
expectancy in the UK is 78 years for men and 82 years for
women, and better healthcare means five times as many
people now reach 100 than they did in the 1980s.9
However, the headline figures tell only some of the story, as
not all of this time will be spent in good health. The Office of
National Statistics estimates that a 65 year old will endure
around eight years of poor health or disability by the end of
their life.10
An ageing population means healthcare, and our own
attitudes to health, must adapt to meet our changing needs.
A recent Lancet report11 warned that this presents “new
challenges,” but was upbeat about our ability to tackle
them, concluding: “Many options are available for adaption
of healthcare, long-term care and welfare systems to better
meet the needs of ageing populations.”
4
However, the House of Lords Ready for Ageing? Report12
was far less optimistic, warning: “Longer lives can be a great
benefit, but there has been a collective failure to address the
implications and without urgent action this great boom could
turn into a series of miserable crises.”
If the predictions of emergency care experts reported in
recent news are to be believed, the first of these meltdowns
could be upon us within weeks.13
But the Ready for Ageing? report points out that for many
Britons, age is now “a state of mind” and largely determined
by health and the ability to remain independent.14
While a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine,
which followed 3,500 healthy people at or around retirement
age, found that exercise cut the risk of heart attack, stroke,
diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
9 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mortality-ageing/focus-on-older-people/older-people-s-day-2011/stb-opd-2011.html#tab-Key-points
10 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mortality-ageing/focus-on-older-people/older-people-s-day-2011/stb-opd-2011.html#tab-Health-expectancies
11 Health in Europe 6. Ageing in the European Union. Published Online March 27, 2013
12 Ready for Ageing? House of Lords Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change. Report of Session 2012-13. Published 14 March, 2013
13 http://www.rcgp.org.uk/news/2013/november/waiting-times-for-gps-predicted-to-worsen-this-winter.aspx
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7. It found that people who take up exercise in their 60s are
three times more likely to remain healthy over the next eight
years than those who are sedentary.15
There is no better example of that than actress Jane Fonda,
who at 75 is probably fitter than many 40 year olds.
She argues: “We can allow our various infirmities to define
us or we can say to ourselves, I want to stay independent as
long as possible. I want to be able to sit on the floor and play
with my grandchildren. I want to carry at least some of my
own luggage and not take 15 minutes to get out of a car.”16
Yet the ShARP survey revealed that many people in the UK
are already feeling their age, with some saying that they feel
much older.
Stiffness and joint problems are the most common clue that
we are getting on, with three out of five (59%) of the 40 to
75 year olds affected. Middle-aged spread is also an issue,
with a similar number (57%) reporting weight gain and lower
energy levels were reported by just over half (51%).
Changes respondents had noticed as they had aged included:
✔ Stiffness and joint problems
59%
✔ Weight gain
57%
✔ Less energy
51%
✔ Deteriorating eyesight
50%
✔ Memory loss
14%
✔ Hearing loss
12%
Low energy levels were most common among the 40 to
45 year olds — perhaps because they are most likely to be
members of the so called ‘Sandwich Generation’ who care
for both children and parents.
As you would expect, those of us over 55 years of age are
more prone to stiffness and joint pain — 68%, compared to
52% of the 40 to 45 year olds. The incidence of hearing loss
also climbed steadily with age, with more than four times as
many over 55s reporting problems than 40 to 45 year olds
(18% compared to 4%).
14 Ready for Ageing? House of Lords Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change. Report of Session 2012-13. Published 14 March, 2013 (page 26)
15 Hamer M, Lavoie KL, Bacon S Taking up physical activity in later life and healthy ageing: the English longitudinal study of ageing. Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092993
16 http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/378569/Jane-Fonda-I-ll-never-stop-working-out .Author’s approval to use quote granted.
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8. Section 2: The shape we are in
The ShARP survey provides a fascinating snapshot of the
health and lifestyle choices of over 45s in the UK — and
highlights some potentially serious issues surrounding
misdiagnosis and the importance of getting a second opinion.
Almost one in five of those questioned have high blood
pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
and stroke.17 One in six (16%) has developed arthritis and
one in 14 (7%) has been diagnosed with asthma since their
40th birthday.
However, the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) are easily confused.18,19 And as
asthma is most commonly diagnosed before the age of 20,
and COPD most likely to appear in smokers or former smokers
in their mid 40s, it is possible that some of these respondents
may have been misdiagnosed, or have both conditions.
This is borne out by a British Lung Foundation survey which
found that almost two out of five patients were told they had
6
both asthma and COPD: “A far higher figure than should be
the case.”20
GP and ShARP member, Dr Gill Jenkins warned this has
serious implications for patients. “The long term aims of
asthma and COPD treatment are different and it is vital that
sufferers with either disease have an accurate diagnosis.”
Heart health matters
As you would expect, respondents aged 55 to 75 were more
than twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than
those between 40 and 45, 3% compared to 7% and Scots
were the most prone to cardiac problems, 7% compared to
just 2% of Londoners.
However, Dr Paul Oldershaw a cardiologist and advisor to
ShARP estimates that more than a third of men and 15%
of women aged between 45 and 75 have coronary heart
disease;21 this suggests a worrying number of older Britons
may have heart problems which have not yet been picked up.
17 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx
18 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24099180 Price D, Brusselle G.University of Aberdeen, Academic Primary Care, Division of Applied Health Sciences, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Expert Opin Med Diagn. 2013 Nov;7(6):543-56. doi: 10.1517/17530059.2013.842552. Epub 2013 Oct 8.
19 http://www.asthma.org.uk/knowledge-bank-living-with-asthma-adult-onset-asthma
20 Lost In Translation – British Lung Foundation, July 2006. Facts also published via: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/130194.php http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/gps-shouldretest-all-copd-and-asthma-patients/10993161.article.Upjtlo2YuW4 http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/main-content/-/article_display_list/1688395/1688391 http://news.bbc.
co.uk/1/hi/health/7733995.stm
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9. Weight blues
Use it or lose it: active measures
More than a quarter (29%) of those surveyed had been
advised to lose weight, but fewer than half (13%) had
successfully shed their excess pounds.
Most of us don’t get enough exercise. Research from
heart health charities has found that only a third (34%) of
UK adults meet the minimum recommended by the Chief
Medical Officers — 30 minutes of physical activity at least
five days a week.22
Good intentions run high, with two out of five (41%) of those
questioned confirming they own exercise equipment, a fitness
console or work-out videos and two out of three (69%) saying
they had bought it with the intention of getting fit.
But almost one in ten (9%) admit they have never used their
apparatus, one in four (27%) has lost interest and no longer
use the kit while almost one in five (18%) use their exercise
equipment only ‘a few times a year’.
However, the real figure could be even lower as estimates
are based on self-reporting — volunteers telling researchers
what they have done. By this measure, in England 39%
of men and 29% of women hit the recommendations, but
when a sub-group of those questioned for the report were
asked to wear accelerometers to measure what they were
really doing only 6% of men and 4%23 of women in England
hit the target.
21 BHF Coronary heart disease statistics: A compendium of health statistics, 2012 edition. Page 74 http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1002097
22 Physical Activity Statistics 2012 published by the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Group, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford http://www.bhfactive.org.uk/
homepage-resources-and-publications-item/339/index.html 34% calculated from Table 1.1 page 14
23 BHF report, page 12
24 Calculated from Table 1.1 (page 14) in BHF report
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10. This exercise deficit also gets worse as we age, with just
one in five (21%) people aged 65 to 74 achieving the
recommended levels.24
However, numerous studies which underline the importance
of keeping active show that it is never too late to try to
improve fitness levels.
Dr Jenkins from ShARP warns, “You might be able to kid
yourself that you’re getting enough exercise, but you won’t
fool your doctor and you can’t fool your body. Physical fitness
is important at every age, but once you have hit your forties
there is even more truth in the adage: ‘Use it or lose it’.
Meta analysis, a type of super study which collates data
from all the relevant trials, found that even frail residents in
nursing homes benefited both physically and emotionally
from exercise therapy. Researchers concluded: “These
positive effects are of great value for older adults who are
already physically impaired.”26
“It can become a vicious cycle. We lose muscle as we get
older and because lean tissue burns more calories than fat,
this can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Loss
of muscle tone also increases the risk of falls and other
injuries.”
This is borne out by other reports which found that poor
health or injuries prevented almost a quarter (23%) of
45 to 54 years old from being as active as they would like,
with almost one in three people aged 55 to 64 reporting
similar problems.25
8
Similarly, a review by Finnish researchers found “consistent”
evidence that exercise improved mobility and physical
function in patients with dementia — who are often frail and
at high risk of falls.27
Guided exercise and physiotherapy are now an essential
part of rehabilitation after a heart attack or stroke, and there
is also evidence that the right physical activity can also
help cancer patients. In a study published in the European
Journal of Cancer, Norwegian researchers reported on the
25 Effects of physical exercise therapy on mobility, physical functioning, physical activity and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults with impaired mobility, physical disability and/
or multi-morbidity: a meta-analysis.de Vries NM et al. Ageing Res Rev. 2012 Jan;11(1):136-49. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2011.11.002. Epub 2011 Nov 11.
26 Effects of physical exercise therapy on mobility, physical functioning, physical activity and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults with impaired mobility, physical disability and/
or multi-morbidity: A meta-analysis N.M. de Vriesa, C.D. van Ravensbergb, J.S.M. Hobbelenb,c, M.G.M. Olde Rikkertd, J.B.Staala, M.W.G. Nijhuis-van der Sandena
27 Efficacy of physical exercise intervention on mobility and physical functioning in older people with dementia: A systematic review Kaisu Pitkälä a, Nina Savikko a, Minna Poysti a,b,
Timo Strandberg c, Marja-Liisa Laakkonen a,d
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11. “promising effects of physical exercise” on quality of life,
fatigue and physical fitness.28
They concluded: “Cancer patients benefit from maintaining
physical activity balanced with efficient rest periods.”
Strictly for health reasons
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that
exercise must mean joining a gym, or a class,” Dr Catherine
Hood from ShARP says. “The key to success is finding
something you like doing.”
Her tip? “If you can’t bear the thought of pumping iron, why not
slip on some dance pumps and foxtrot your way to fitness?”
A study published by the American Heart Association found
that waltzing was as effective as a traditional workout at
improving heart function in patients with chronic heart
failure. As an added bonus, those on the dance arm of the
study were less likely to drop out and reported the greatest
improvements in emotional wellbeing.29
28 Physical exercise results in the improved subjective well-being of a few or is effective rehabilitation for all cancer patients? L.M. Oldervoll a, S. Kaasa a,b, M.J. Hjermstad c, J.A.
Lund b, J.H. Loge a,c,d
29 http://circheartfailure.ahajournals.org/content/1/2/107.full.pdf
30 Effects of dance therapy and ballroom dances on physical and mental illnesses: A systematic review Marie-Sophie Kiepe, MPH, Barbara Stöckigt, MD, Thomas Keil, MD, MSc
31 National Osteoporosis Society (2008): Your bones and osteoporosis: What every man, woman and child should know
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12. Dr Val Mann, a senior lecturer in Regenerative Medicine at
University Campus Suffolk and guest advisor to ShARP
says: “The health benefits of dance are well documented. A
systematic review by German researchers found ballroom
dancing improves balance and coordination in Parkinson’s
patients, reduces psychological distress in people with
depression and can benefit people with dementia, diabetes
and heart failure.30
“As well as an active lifestyle, maintaining social interactions
in later life is also important in delaying the onset of dementia
and dance provides a great way of doing both.”
Bone up on the benefits of exercise
One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50
in the UK will fracture a bone, largely because of poor bone
health.31
10
Around three million people in the UK have the brittle bone
condition osteoporosis,32 and that number is likely to rise as
we live longer and begin to pay the price for bad habits such
as smoking and drinking too much alcohol.33
But keeping active can help maintain bone density and head
off problems.
Scientists at Madrid University who reviewed the evidence
concluded that exercise is an easy, inexpensive and effective
method of preventing and treating bone loss, pointing out
it has no side effects and has the added advantage of
improving stability, which prevents falls.34
Dr Mann says: “Most of the trials the Spanish scientists
looked at focused on women, presumably because the
smaller female skeleton and hormonal changes around
menopause mean women are at an increased risk of
developing osteoporosis. We know that one in three
women over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic
fracture.”35
32 http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=328
33 http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=263&srcid=234
34 Effects of Exercise on Osteoporosis Manuel Diaz-Curiel Internal/Diseases Metabolic Hosea Medicine Service, Foundation Jimenes Diaz, Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
35 http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics/references.html
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13. However, one in five men over 50 will suffer the same fate
and will also benefit from weight bearing workouts. In a
systematic review of evidence published in the journal
Osteoporosis International, Australian researchers advise:
“Physical exercise, regular resistance training and impactloading activities should be considered as an effective
strategy to prevent osteoporosis in middle-aged and older
men.”36
The bone benefits of exercise were confirmed by a 12 year
study funded by the International Osteoporosis Foundation
which found that exercise dramatically slowed the loss
of bone density in post-menopausal women at risk of
fractures.37
However Dr Catherine Hood warns: “If you have
osteoporosis it is important to seek expert advice as you
may need to avoid vigorous, high impact exercise.”
11
36 The effect of physical exercise on bone density in middle-aged and older men: A systematic review K. A. Bolam & J. G. Z. van Uffelen & D. R. Taaffe
37 Exercise and fractures in postmenopausal women: 12-year results of the Erlangen Fitness and Osteoporosis Prevention Study (EFOPS) W. Kemmler & S. von Stengel & M. Bebenek &
K. Engelke & C. Hentschke & W. A. Kalender
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14. Section 3: The good life
The evidence that diet and lifestyle have a huge impact on
our health is beyond dispute. At least one in three cancers38
and most of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular
disease39— Britain’s single biggest killer — are avoidable.40
The health issues associated with ageing which respondents
noted were most likely to believe could be prevented were:
✔ obesity (66%)
Proof of the power of prevention can be seen in the
National Service Framework for coronary heart disease — a
Government strategy which cut deaths from CHD and stroke
by 40% in just five years.41
✔ high blood pressure (41%).
But the ShARP survey reveals that many older Britons
underestimate their ability to head off problems. A mere one
in 17 (6%) believed cancer was preventable and only a third
(37%) thought cardiovascular disease was avoidable.
12
✔ tooth loss (58%)
It is unrealistic to think we can undo all the damage caused
by the bad habits of a lifetime, but there is mounting
evidence that it is never too late to make healthier choices.
Vascular ageing
A key factor in determining our risk of cardiovascular disease
in later life is the elasticity of our blood vessels and condition
of the cells which line our veins and arteries — sometimes
called vascular age.
38 http://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/en/
39 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/mortality-statistics--deaths-registered-in-england-and-wales--series-dr-/2012/stb-deaths-registered-in-england-and-wales-in-2012-by-cause.
html#tab-Leading-causes-of-mortality-in-2012
40 http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/prevention/risk-factors.aspx
41 2000 to 2005: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/NSF/Pages/Coronaryheartdisease.aspx
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15. Professor Geetha Raghuveer, a researcher at the University
of Missouri, who is an expert in this field believes: “You’re
as old as your arteries. The state of your arteries is more
important than your actual age in the evolution of heart
disease and stroke.”42
One of her studies, which involved scans to check the neck
arteries of 70 youngsters, with an average age of 13, found
they were already 40 something in terms of vascular age.
Spanish researchers investigating vascular ageing found
much of the damage is done by inflammation and oxidative
stress — and both can be reduced by cutting calories and
increasing exercise. The scientists, based at University
Hospital in Madrid, report: “Caloric restriction and particularly
aerobic exercise in the elderly may help to prevent or delay
the onset of endothelial dysfunction.”43
42 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 2008. Abstract 6077 Raghuveer G et al http://www.eurekalert.org/published releases/2008-11/aha-oka102708.php
43 Oxidative stress and vascular inflammation in aging Mariam El Assar a, Javier Angulo b, Leocadio Rodríguez-Mañas (file you provided: lecture 1 _ CV ageing and ex)
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16. There is evidence that oxidative stress is also a factor in
development of a number of cancers including breast, bowel
and prostate tumours, as well as dementia and Parkinson’s
disease.
Researchers at the University of Calabria believe: “The
oxidative stress pathway represents one of the crucial
mechanisms linked to human ageing and longevity.”44
14
They say three factors influence this damage — diet, activity
levels and genes.
Dr Val Mann notes further: “This may explain why some
people live to a ripe old age despite bad habits such as
smoking and being overweight. More importantly this shows
we can influence two out of three of the key factors which
increase oxidative stress with ageing — diet and exercise.”
44 Exploring the Role of Genetic Variability and Lifestyle in Oxidative Stress Response for Healthy Aging and Longevity Serena Dato, Paolina Crocco, Patrizia D’Aquila, Francesco de
Rango, Dina Bellizzi, Giuseppina Rose and Giuseppe Passarino*
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17. Did you know?
✔ The powerplant perils:
As we get older, mitochondria, the powerplant
inside all our cells, begins to downgrade and
become less efficient. Earlier this year, scientists
at Texas A&M University who are investigating
this phenomenon reported: “Regular aerobic
exercise may increase healthy life expectancy
and prolong life through beneficial effects at the
mitochondrial level.”45
✔ Exercise and dementia:
Australian researchers looking at exercise
and dementia found: “There is clear evidence
that physical activity, if performed safely, can
contribute to healthy ageing and reduce morbidity
and mortality rates.”46 They endorse the advice of
the American College of Sports Medicine which
recommends older adults do a minimum of 30
minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise
five days a week, or vigorous intensity aerobic
exercise for 20 minutes, three times a week. This
should be combined with muscle strengthening,
flexibility and balance exercises.47
15
45 Effect of aerobic exercise on mitochondrial DNA and aging Anusha Eluamai, Kelly Brooks Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness 11 (2013)
46 The influence of exercise on brain aging and dementia Nicola T. Lautenschlager a,b, Kay Cox c, Elizabeth V. Cyarto
47 The influence of exercise on brain aging and dementia Nicola T. Lautenschlager a,b,Kay Cox c, Elizabeth V. Cyarto
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18. Section 4: Eye say
Apart from ensuring you see the world in sharp focus, regular
eye examinations can pick up a number of serious health
problems. Yet two out of five (41%) of the 40 to 75-year-olds
who responded to the ShARP poll had noticed a deterioration
in their eyesight, but had done nothing about it.
One in eight (12%) were put off by the cost while one in ten
(10%) thought deterioration of eye sight was “an age thing
— I don’t need someone to tell me my eye sight is failing.” A
similar number (11%) had diagnosed their own eye problems
and bought prescription glasses over the counter or online.
Worryingly, one in eight admit to driving with less than perfect
sight, with a handful (3%) revealing they do it “all the time”.
Although some 53% of respondents said they left an eye
check for up to five years, the majority recognised the
benefits of regular eye examinations and knew opticians can
also diagnose a number of serious health issues.
16
Almost two out of three (59%) realised an optician could
diagnose diabetes and 44% mentioned high blood pressure.
Seven out of ten (71%) had noticed floaters — black or grey
spots in your vision that drift about when you move your
eyes. And while they are usually nothing more than a sign of
age, they can also indicate serious eye conditions such as
detached retinas.
Of even greater concern was the fact that 99% of
respondents in the same ShARP research poll failed to
identify the most common cause of blindness in the UK —
age related macular degeneration.48 And only a third (31%)
knew what the condition was.
This has serious implications as early diagnosis can slow
loss of sight, and in the case of Wet AMD the sooner
treatment is started, the greater the chance it will work.49
Wet AMD develops when abnormal blood vessels form
underneath the macula and damage its cells (doctors
sometimes refer to wet AMD as neovascular AMD).
48 http://www.rnib.org.uk/aboutus/research/statistics/Pages/statistics.aspx
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19. Did you know?
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a
painless eye condition that leads to the gradual
loss of central vision.
Central vision is used to see what is directly in
front of you, during activities such as reading or
watching television for example.
The central vision becomes increasingly blurred
leading to symptoms including:
✔ difficulty reading printed or written text
(because it appears blurry)
✔ colours appear less vibrant
✔ difficulty recognising people’s faces
AMD usually affects both eyes, but the speed at
which it progresses can vary from eye to eye.
17
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20. Eye health facts and stats at a glance:
✔ One in four (26%) of older Britons have an annual eye
test, but most (53%) leave it for up to five years.
✔ One in four (22%) blamed their time surfing the net for
their deteriorating eyesight.50
Simply a healthy a solution
Health cash plans help people claim cash back towards the
cost of everyday healthcare appointments, such as the visits
to the dentist, optician, physiotherapist and chiropodist.
Simplyhealth is the UK’s largest health cash plan provider
and offers plans to suit all ages and pockets.
Simplyhealth also offers a special 70 Plus plan for people
aged 70 and over, which provides extra benefits, such as
help with the cost hearing aids.
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Unlike some other health plans, there is no upper age
limit or medical required on the Simply Cash Plan 70 Plus,
individuals just need to be 70 or older to join.
Simplyhealth also provides private health insurance for
individuals and its friendly experts from Simplyhealth
Independent Living can provide no-obligation advice on
mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and other aids to
support independent living.
The company, which was founded over 140 years ago
— long before the NHS — has a philosophy which is as
straightforward as its name: “In a world where so many
people can’t be bothered, we’re proud to be the healthcare
company that can.”
49 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Macular-degeneration/Pages/Introduction.aspx
50 One Poll survey of 1,000 people aged 40 - 75 carried out in October 2013
51 2012 reports and accounts
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21. Simplyhealth: Facts and stats at a glance
Simplyhealth has over three million customers and patients,
serving nearly four million people, and is also our healthcare
provider to 20,000 companies. While the company has
changed and adapted over the years, its award winning
commitment to do the right thing by its customers has not.
Simplyhealth is committed to its strongly held values and
to supporting communities. With no shareholders, it only
invests its profits into running the business for the good of its
customers, or making donations to health related charities
with £1.6m given away last year.51
Its cash plans help people with their everyday health,
whether they use NHS or private practitioners. The private
health insurance works alongside the NHS and is often
provided by companies as an employee benefit to help staff
at times of ill health.
Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential
Regulation Authority. Simplyhealth Access is registered and incorporated in England and Wales, registered no. 183035. Registered office, Hambleden House, Waterloo Court, Andover,
Hampshire, SP10 1LQ. Your calls may be recorded and monitored for training and quality assurance purposes.
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22. Last word
FACT: By 2050 the number of people with sight loss in the
UK will double to nearly four million.52
FACT: Nearly a fifth of adults in the UK experience anxiety or
depression as they age.53
FACT: It’s not uncommon for someone to increase in shoe
size by a half-size or more as they age. The body’s ligaments
and tendons through the aging process gradually lose
strength and their ability to “spring back” causing our feet to
get bigger as our arch decreases.54
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it
doesn’t matter.” A lot has changed since the great American
writer, Mark Twain penned these words.
Nowadays we DO mind. Maintaining good physical and
mental health for as long as possible DOES matter. Fifty has
become the new thirty and the music charts are dominated
by stars who are entitled to pick up a bus pass.
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Government changes mean most of us will have to work for
longer before picking up a pension,55 and economic pressures
mean the number of Britons working past retirement has
almost doubled in the past ten years.56
Dr Catherine Hood from ShARP says: “For some that is a
choice. As June Brown, one of the nation’s favourite soap
stars has shown, your birth date does not have to determine
your shelf life. She had just celebrated her 86th birthday when
she returned as EastEnders’ busybody Dot Cotton.”
“And she hadn’t taken a break for health reasons; she needed
time off to write her memoirs!.” Dr Hood says
A lifelong smoker, June is living proof that a lucky few are
blessed with genes that guarantee an active old age.
But as this report from ShARP has revealed far too many
older Britons are playing a high stakes game with their health
which could have a serious impact on their quantity and
quality of life.
52 Action for blind
53 Office for National Statistics (ONS) Measuring National Wellbeing programme, which surveyed 40,000 households between 2010 and 2011
54 See Foothealth.com for full article
55 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-age-timetable
56 Office for National Statistics. Pension Trends – Chapter 4: The Labour Market and Retirement, 2013 Edition (published 26 February 2013)
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23. An alarming number of people over the age of 55 highlighted
that they avoided seeing their doctor in the ShARP research
poll. Many older Britons also admitted that they are turning to
the internet for health advice, with too few making the lifestyle
changes that will prolong their lives.
In summary, Dr Val Mann notes: “As scientists we can
describe in detail the biological mechanisms that control
development but we have difficulty doing the same thing to
describe ageing. However, in the past decade we have gained
a much better understanding of how and why we age, and
there is now irrefutable evidence that we can reduce the risk
of age related disease by making healthy lifestyle choices and
it is never to late to make these positive changes.”
“That also means keeping on top of our healthcare needs as
we age such as having regular check-ups like eye sight tests,
so taking a preventative approach to managing our health
is vital. Health cash plans, such as those from Simplyhealth,
provide quick, affordable and easy access to healthcare
practitioners without the need for GP referrals. As a result,
people should tackle their health problems not ignore them.”
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24. ShARP Ageing report 2013 V2 (1538).indd 22
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