Barnet needs to take action to look after its aging population

A rise in the number of adults aged 65 and over living with ill health and disability is expected in Barnet over the next five years.

Data presented to Barnet Council’s health and wellbeing board attended by the local NHS and the civic center’s head of health showed some worrying results.

Dr Madura Nanthakumaran, a specialist registrar in public health, told the board today (Thursday 9) that “the men and women of Barnet can expect to spend at least a fifth of their lives in ill health”.

“Healthy life expectancy” and life expectancy in 2021 were compared, with women in Barnet having an average of 65.3 healthy years and a life expectancy of 83.9 years.

Men averaged slightly less, with 63.3 years of health and a life expectancy of 79.3.

Dr Nanthakumaran reported the impact of smoking, alcohol, exercise and diet.

The data showed that in 2021/22, just under 60% of adults in Barnet aged over 18 were overweight or obese, with obesity rates “varying across ethnic groups” and more than one in five adults being “physically inactive”.

In terms of smoking, 10.5% of the district’s adult population smoked, with figures rising in “higher deprivation areas”.

For alcohol, hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions in Barnet were lower compared to London and England. However, men aged 65 and over had “significantly higher admission rates” compared to women in the same age group.

A 2021 census found that the borough had the highest number of registered care places for over-65s in the North Central London NHS area, while 10% of people in this age group were “unpaid carers ”, either caring for sick partners or parents. .

In terms of employment, 70% of adults aged 50-64 were employed, with similar rates recorded in London and England. People with higher incomes were more likely to leave their jobs “by choice” compared to those with lower incomes, who were more likely to leave because of “ill health”.

The impact of housing among the over-65 group was looked at with those living in socially rented or privately rented housing “less likely to report being healthy” than those who owned their property. Dr Nanthakumaran considered “cold and damp” as contributing factors and said nationally there was a growing trend of “older adults renting”.

Dr Michelle Humphry, clinical lead at Aging Well for Barnet, highlighted an anticipated increase in the borough’s older population.

By 2030, the number of adults over 65 is expected to increase by 29%, equivalent to 87,600 people, and the over-75 age group is expected to increase by 11%.

Dr Humphry said 50 per cent of “day plus admissions” to hospitals were over 65s, adding for context that this age group represented just 15 per cent of Barnet’s population.

Alison Moore, cabinet member for health and well-being, summarized the work the council had ahead of it. She noted “the emergence of a significant increase” in the over-65s and how this age group is growing “two to three percent” ahead of others.

She said: “We will be a neighborhood with a significant older population, but it’s changing the mindset about the expectation that people can live healthier and more active lives.”

Cllr Moore went on to say that the council needs to “collectively support” and “take ownership” of this goal and implement more early intervention tactics around the impact of alcohol, smoking or lack of exercise.

“Creating an atmosphere where older people feel valued and active aging is an expectation is essential. We need to be clear that we are looking at this beyond just the neighborhood.

“Looking at the ‘Fairer Barnet’ work going on and recognizing that the impacts are not equal (in terms of health outcomes) and we need to redouble our efforts and ensure that all parts of our wonderfully diverse population develop the same expectations aging well. and active.”