Older People

Projections show that the number of people aged 65 years and over is expected to rise by nearly 60% in the next 25 years and by about 2017/18, there will be more people over 40 than below 40.*

A recent report sponsored by the Department of Health and Comic Relief found that 342,000 older people face abuse each year, often in their own home including 42,000 victims who suffer sexual abuse.

Despite this, statistics show that older people are less likely than younger people to be victims of crime, although they have a disproportionate fear of crime. A 2002 Age Concern survey found that a third of respondents felt that fear of crime has affected their quality of life and made them feel lonely and isolated.

*Figures based on Office of National Statistics mid-2004 Population Estimates (2005)

External Links

• Age Concern London
  The collective voice of Age Concerns in London that works to improve the quality of life and enhance the status and influence of older people in London.
  www.aclondon.org.uk 
  
  

• Action On Elder Abuse
  Action On Elder Abuse works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults.
  www.elderabuse.org.uk

Downloads and Research

• Valuing Older People - The Mayor's Older People Strategy
  Published in September 2006 the Strategy aims to challenge stereotyping of older people and provide a framework to develop a city in which older Londoners have the support they need to lead active, healthy and independent lives. 
  www.london.gov.uk/
  
  

• Developing Policy And Practice For Older People In London
  A 2004 discussion paper produced by the Centre for Policy on Ageing on behalf of the Association of London Government (now London Councils). 
  www.cpa.org.uk/