How can we learn the lessons of Coronavirus?

At the start of 2020, none of us could have predicted the year that was to come and as we enter 2021, we are still unsure when this crisis will end. We have all been affected by the pandemic in different ways, but the crisis continues to have a particularly devastating impact on those in later life, those from BAME communities, and those who are least well-off. The consequence, according to one report, is a fall in life expectancy – already on the decline among the poorest women. The pandemic has brought home to us just how serious the implications are of failing to support people to be in good health and age well. If there is to be a silver lining to the crisis it must be a spur to action on these issues – learning the lessons of the pandemic as we look to rebuild.

It is clear, for example, that the Prime Minister was shaken by his brush with the disease and has determined to take greater action to tackle obesity. This is welcome, but a focus solely on obesity among children isn’t enough – over a third of those aged 65-74 have a weight classed as obese, the highest of any age group. We have long known that obesity is a significant risk factor for many conditions that contribute to disability in later life – and now, of course, we know that it is a risk factor too for more serious forms of COVID. If we are to reduce obesity and improve health at all ages, we need to do much more to promote physical activity and active travel. At Ageing Better, in the year ahead we will be looking at the barriers people face to walking and cycling, and how they can be overcome.

The quality of our homes has also come into focus during this time, with most of us spending much more time inside. We have all come to understand the importance of living somewhere safe and comfortable. But too many people live in homes that don’t meet their needs and even put their health at risk. Our report with The King’s Fund on Homes, health and COVID warned that the millions of people living in non-decent homes could be at a greater risk of COVID this winter. It also found that those who have been identified as most at risk of COVID-19, including older people, are more likely to be living in non-decent homes. In 2020, we launched the Good Home Inquiry to determine the causes of England’s deficit in affordable, accessible and decent homes and find solutions to the housing crisis. In 2021, we’ll be reporting on the lived experiences of those living in poor-quality homes and reviewing past, present and future housing policies. The Inquiry will be exploring solutions with partners who can put these into practice.

It’s not only the homes we live in but our local communities that have had a huge impact on how we have experienced the pandemic. Mutual aid groups, local authorities and the voluntary sector continue to play an incredible role in responding to the ongoing lockdowns and tier system restrictions, supporting those who had to stay at home. Our research with NatCen, however, found that those who are more in need of support were less likely to know what was available, or know people they could count on. Our evaluation of the Leeds Neighbourhood Networks highlighted some of the incredible ways that local organisations support people at this time, and there are many lessons to be learnt about how local places can support residents to stay connected. In 2021, we will continue our work with local places through the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, which now boasts over 40 members, as well as our partnerships with Greater Manchester, Leeds and Lincolnshire.

Those in later life haven’t just been hit hard by the virus when it comes to health but also face significant financial challenges too. Between August and October, 112,000 over 50s were made redundant – and based on furlough numbers we estimate that over 400,000 more could lose their jobs when the furlough scheme ends. We know that in the past, this group have found it hardest to get back into work, and the Work Programme that followed the last recession did not work for older workers. It has never been more important to address the barriers that over 50s face to finding work – particularly age bias in the recruitment process.In the year ahead, we will be publishing the first stage of our work on good recruitment for older workers, aiming to understand over 50s’ experience of the recruitment process, employers’ attitudes to age bias, and how the disadvantages this group face might be addressed.

We entered 2021 with a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, in the form of vaccines that have already begun to be rolled out to those most at risk. In the months ahead, as we begin to rebuild from the devastation of the virus, we must learn the lessons of the pandemic. On behalf of Ageing Better, I look forward to the part we will play in learning from the challenges this year has posed and the innovative solutions that individuals, communities and organisations have found.