A new report warns that elderly Britons are paying the highest price for a health and social care system under immense strain.
Many older people are struggling to access the help they need, leaving families to step in where professional support falls short.
Healthy Years Shrinking for Pensioners
Age UK describes it as “shameful” that pensioners are now spending fewer years of their retirement in good health.
Men turning 65 can expect just 10.1 years of healthy life, while women typically get 11.2 years, with those in poorer areas faring even worse.
The charity points out that the number of full-time GPs has not kept up with the growing elderly population, and fewer older people receive social care support than a decade ago.
This leaves many relying on friends and family for basic daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and washing.
Mental Health Support Falling Short
Age UK’s report highlights a worrying gap in mental health care for the elderly.
One in seven (14 per cent) 65-to-74-year-olds has a common mental health condition—such as depression, anxiety, or panic disorders—but two-thirds (67 per cent) of those with significant symptoms are not receiving treatment.
For those aged 75 and over, the figure rises to 78 per cent.
Dental care is another area where older people are being let down.
The “oldest old,” aged 85-plus, are the least likely to see a dentist.
In 2025, 16 per cent of people over 65 reported they had been unable to secure a dental appointment in the last two years, and 28 per cent felt GP waiting times were too long.
A System Under Pressure
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, said the report paints “a health and care system under unprecedented pressure – in some places, at times virtually under siege.”
She warned that many older people are not getting the high-quality care they need, forcing those who can afford it to turn to private services.
“This creates growing inequalities,” Abrahams added.
“Those least advantaged are being left further behind, and gaps in healthy life expectancy are the starkest evidence of this shame.”
Recommendations for Change
Age UK is calling on the government to take immediate steps to ease pressure on hospitals and social care, including reducing avoidable emergency admissions, ensuring structured medication reviews and falls risk assessments for frail patients, and cutting delayed discharges to pre-pandemic levels.
The charity also wants Baroness Louise Casey’s adult social care commission to publish its final report sooner than the scheduled 2028 deadline.
Social Care Services Underperforming
A separate study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that more than a third of adult social care services in England are failing to help people live healthier lives.
Only 58 per cent of care home and home care providers were rated “good” or higher for promoting healthier lifestyles, according to Care Quality Commission inspections.
The study highlights the need for longer, more personalized visits from carers rather than short, 15-minute check-ins, and greater focus on diet, physical activity, and preventative health measures.
Inequalities in NHS Funding
The Nuffield Trust also raised concerns about regional inequalities in NHS funding for older adults requiring Continuing Healthcare (CHC).
This package of health and social care outside of hospitals has seen the number of eligible people fall from 57,216 in June 2017 to 52,008 in December 2024—a 9.1 per cent drop.
Government Response
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the challenges facing older people and said immediate steps are being taken.
These include over £4 billion in social care funding, support for 15,000 home adaptations, an increase to the Carer’s Allowance threshold, and the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement to improve workforce recruitment and retention.
The spokesperson also confirmed that Baroness Casey’s independent roadmap for a National Care Service will begin rolling out next year, aimed at providing a long-term solution for the pressures on Britain’s health and social care system.