Living Well for Longer

Abstract

Abstract Chapter 6 explores the economic case for investing in older people as assets through presenting economic evidence relating to older people (spanning interventions, policies, and practice relevant to the United Kingdom (UK)). We highlight the costs of loneliness and the contribution made by informal carers to the economy (known as the ‘grey pound’). In the UK, one in five people will be aged over sixty-five by 2030. As life expectancy has increased, time spent in poor health has also increased. This chapter focuses on how to create an environment in which older adults can flourish and is organized around themes identified by the World Health Organization as important for creating age-friendly environments: transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; community support and health services; and outdoor spaces and buildings. This chapter concludes with curiosity questions for the reader to consider.