Issues Faced by Elderly in UK: A Report and Essay

Contemporary Social
issues

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
This report outlines a report and an essay on the issues that are arises to the elderly in UK. Also a
brief discussion upon the Modernisation theory with its strength and weakness is done.
MAIN BODY
As the life expectancy in the world changes, there is been seen a growth in the elderly
population above the age of 60. Population who becomes grandparents and old lies in the
category of elderly. UK has population of around 12 million as old age 65 years and above and
5.4 million population at the age of more than 75 years. Population above 1.6 million have age
more than 85 years and around 0.5 million population above 95 years.
Most of the elderly population are affected by Dementia which is a syndrome that affects on the
memory, thinking, behaviour and ability of the elderly people in UK. The syndrome is not
supposed to be normal ageing function. The syndrome affects every elderly in a different way
and the symptoms can be seen in various stages i.e. early, middle and late.
Early symptoms: forgetfulness, losing of time and non-recognition of familiar places.
Middle symptoms: difficulty in communication, personal care requirement, behaviour change.
Late symptoms: difficulty in recognising family members, aggression, issue in walking.
Dementia will lead to memory loss, difficulty in speaking and thinking and the disease will get
worse with the passing time. Other issues includes discomfort, quality of life and increase I
chronic diseases.
UK's government although has taken precautionary and health measures to improve the
condition of elderly in UK but the efforts are seen to be underestimating the challenges faced
during ageing. It is being found out that the majority of the elderly population of UK are obese
and overweight (Walker, A., 2018). It has been projected that by 2040, one in seven people will
be over the age of more than 75 years. Families in UK facing pressure to balance responsibilities
with ensuring care are provided to the elderly. The productivity and economic growth is
depended upon elderly workforce a majority of the population is seen to be elderly. To improve
the life quality of the elderly proper living and care facilities are needed. To facilitate this care
and nursing homes are established in UK. These homes provide personal care and
accommodation to the elderly to live in. These home provide interaction with other tenants of the
homes to increase understanding and connectivity among the elderly. It has been seen that with