Addressing the needs of an ageing population

The growth in the proportion of people over 65 results in an overall increase in the prevalence of age-related conditions such as dementia, co-morbid physical illness, behavioural problems, depression and new psychiatric conditions other than dementia.

Care aligns with the needs of the ageing population, with a greater need for all treatment options to be available, regardless of age.

Proposed workforce impact

• A greater need for appropriately trained healthcare professionals, such as old-age specialists
• Further developed multidisciplinary working and collaboration across the healthcare workforce
• Better integration between the NHS and social care
• Increased working and an attendant reduction in barriers between professions to meet the increased demand for biopsychosocial and integrated care, specifically for the older adult population, as well as to meet the need for combined physical health care and neuropsychiatry

Additional research questions

• Office for National Statistics, (2012), Population ageing in the UK, its constituent countries and the EU.
• Dening and Barapatre, (2004), Mental health and the ageing population, J Br Menopause Soc. 10(2):49-53, 64.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.