A report from the u3a, a national charity supporting older people, reveals that nearly 80% of its 400,000 members have improved their social connections, and 77% report better wellbeing. The findings come as MPs warn that harmful attitudes towards ageing are causing “unnecessary suffering” for older people and their families.
MPs Call for Generational Change in Attitudes
In May, the Health and Social Care Select Committee published its Healthy Ageing inquiry, concluding that assumptions that elderly people should “fade away quietly” lead to harmful behaviours. Committee chair Layla Moran MP said: “As a growing proportion of society becomes older, we need to have a national conversation and a generational change in attitudes towards ageing.”
The inquiry follows a Health Foundation report that found the UK population’s health is “going backwards”, with people spending fewer years in good health than a decade ago.
Social Connections Boost Brain Health
Iain Cassidy, CEO of the Third Age Trust which supports u3a groups, said: “Later life can be a time of being busy, active, curious and feeling socially connected. Our latest report highlights the huge impact that meeting with others and learning new skills can have.”
Professor Sir Muir Gray, an ageing expert at the University of Oxford, explained that the brain can reorganise itself by forming new neural connections even in later life. “Engaging in meaningful conversations, empathising with other people and building relationships are among the most powerful drivers of neuroplasticity. That’s why interaction with other human beings keeps you younger, it rewires the brain,” he said.
Statistics on Ageing and Health
- Average life expectancy: 83 years for women, 79.1 years for men
- Average healthy life expectancy: 60.9 years for women, 60.7 years for men
- 9.7 million people aged over 70 in the UK
- 16,600 people aged 100 or over, double since 2004
- 47% increase in people aged over 50 in the past 40 years
Personal Stories: Neil Thompson
Neil Thompson, 78, retired scientific glass inspector, joined u3a in Stone, Staffs, after his wife encouraged him. He said: “I was unsure at first, as I did not have a lot of confidence in social situations. I tried the walking group, which gave my confidence a big boost.” He later joined Hawaiian canoeing and photography groups, and now leads the canoeing group. “The u3a has been a big bonus for me since I retired. I’m doing more activities, much more socialising and it’s given me a lot more confidence,” he said.
Personal Stories: Wendy Blake
Wendy Blake, 65, joined a Glee Club UK choir in Leighton Buzzard after finishing her HR career and caring for her mother with dementia. She said: “Your whole nervous system responds to singing with other people. From the minute we went to the club and did the warm-up, we were hooked, it was very joyful.” She added that the choir helped her cope with the loneliness of caring.
Social Isolation Increases Mortality Risk
Research shows that social isolation is associated with a 29% increased risk of mortality, and loneliness with a 26% increase. Professor Sir Muir Gray emphasised: “Physical health is also fostered when people meet socially, whether it’s to dance, go for a walk or climb a hill. Being challenged is even better than just being active.”
