Most adults believe we face significant challenges when we get older – including loneliness and exclusion, inadequate healthcare, age discrimination, and lack of representation.
These are the among the findings in new research into Attitudes Towards Ageing1, which identified high levels of agreement across different age groups about many issues faced by older people.
Spry commissioned the survey by Opinions as part of a new series called Later Life Insights. With the number of people aged over 65 forecast to reach one million by 20312, we want to shed light on some of the important issues facing Ireland’s fast-growing older population.
A total of 1,075 adults of all ages were asked whether they believe older people are disproportionally affected by loneliness and exclusion, with 80% percent of respondents agreeing that they are. An even greater proportion believe that inadequate healthcare (87%), age discrimination (84%), and lack of representation and influence (82%) are significant challenges in later life.
Advocacy
It is perhaps not surprising therefore that six in 10 people aged 55 or older believe their age puts them at a disadvantage in today’s society. Encouragingly, 73% of all respondents of all ages are keen to learn more about promoting positive ageing and a similar number (79%) agree that there is a critical need for more advocates for older people and healthy ageing.
Ageing well
The research also asked respondents about the best ways for older people to ‘age well’. Keeping mentally active was endorsed as the most important, by 70%, followed by consuming a healthy diet (63%), engaging in regular exercise 62%, and maintaining relationships (58%).
Negative perceptions
It seems that certain negative perceptions about older people persist, with 50% associating frailty as with ‘old’ people and 46% saying they were old-fashioned. Just 25% believe older people are open-minded, and just 15% associate older people with being wealthy – although those aged under 45 are twice as likely as those over 45 to consider ‘old’ people wealthy.
Spry Finance CEO John Moriarty said it was encouraging to learn that the challenges of being an older person in Ireland are recognised by adults of all ages. He said: “Most people in their 60s and 70s simply don’t feel old, however, that doesn’t mean older people don’t face significant challenges such as social exclusion, access to healthcare, and age discrimination.
“It’s important for individuals, families and public representatives to understand the issues facing our older population so that, together, we can challenge negative stereotypes and act to ensure older people have the supports and services they need to lead a greater later life.”
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1Attitudes to Ageing by Opinions, July 2024. Representative sample of 1,075 adults of all ages
2Source: CSO M1F2 model projection
