“The Government’s commitment to increasing people’s quality of life in older age, and reducing the scandalous gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest in our society, is hugely welcome.
“As a society we need to wake up to the profound change in our longevity. The prospect of a 100-year life is an incredible opportunity, but we are woefully under prepared for it. There is no point living for longer if those extra years are spent suffering a poor quality of life in ill health, without access to decent care, in unsuitable homes, in places that leave us disconnected, isolated and lonely.
“Currently too many people are missing out on a good later life. This inequality looks set to become further entrenched for future generations unless we make radical changes now. The Government has taken a vital step forward today to lead this change at a national level – but it will require collective action across every aspect of our society, by the public, private and charitable sectors, to make it happen.
"All local authorities should sign up to become Age Friendly Communities in order to help their residents age well. This means shaping places and developing local plans including transport and green spaces, housing and health.
"All employers need to adopt age-inclusive practices. The State Pension age is rising, and yet many are struggling to get the support they need to work in later life, including managing long-term health conditions and caring responsibilities. Too many people are leaving the labour market prematurely at great cost to them personally, as well as the state.
"We desperately need housing that will meet our needs and be adaptable as we grow older. All new homes should be built to be ‘age proof’ and in the short term we can do much more to help people adapt their homes in order to stay safe, mobile and independent as they grow older.
"This is a real opportunity for society to make up for lost time and deal head on with the seismic demographic change we are experiencing - for the benefit of current and future generations."
