What is later years?

Everyone - usually thinking of our own lives – wonders when 'old age' starts, and asks what an 'older person' is. It’s not important. There is no age hurdle that we jump over to become ‘old’. Old isn’t a number; ageing is a continuous process throughout life.

The Later years partnership is concerned with issues that affect those over 50 such as job discrimination, active retirement and issues of care, frailty and isolation. These issues are connected. Active, healthy ageing can reduce the risks of ill-health, falls, isolation and dependency later on.

The issues and choices of our fifties affect how we age in our seventies. And for those who suffer exclusion and inequality in society throughout life, issues associated with ageing can start earlier than for others.

The Later years agenda is about how we address all those issues that affect the quality of life of people in their fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond. More people than ever before are reaching their later years, and life expectancy is increasing rapidly. At the same time, there is extensive social exclusion amongst older people. Both these factors make the focus on later years increasingly important.