Living a long and healthy life should be an opportunity that is open to us of all. Unfortunately, depending on where and when you were born, external factors can significantly influence and impact our health and the way in which we age.
It’s expected that within 35 years, from 2015 to 2050, the world’s population of adults over the age of 60 will nearly double from 12% to 22%, according to figures published by the World Health Organisation. 1 Moreover, in 2020 the number of adults aged over 60 years old officially surpassed that of children younger than the age of 5 and population projections developed by the United Nations estimate that by the year 2073 the global number of adults aged over 65 is set to surpass the number of children aged under 15. 2
While in many developed countries this demographic shift took place decades ago, several developing countries, such as India, Nigeria, and Brazil, haven’t yet reach this cross point. It is unclear whether the level of industrialisation within developing nations will be quicker than the rate of ageing; simply put, will poorer countries become richer before they become older?
For all countries the increasing number of elderly people will have a tremendous strain on current healthcare infrastructure, however evidence suggests that, regardless of geographical region, poor health is most prevalent amongst those the most disadvantaged in society and preventative services are targeted towards those who are better off. 3
ACT & The Integrated Care Academy
With the aim of bridging these gaps within the current system and reduce social inequalities in health, Age Care Technologies® has joined as lead partner of the Integrated Care Academy (ICA), an exciting new partnership between the University of Suffolk, the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), Suffolk County Council and Healthwatch Suffolk and others from the voluntary and community sector.
Through use of the ACTTM Assessment tool, which incorporates and is aligned with WHO ICOPE guidance, the project will address health inequalities within communities through identifying and addressing the individual needs of a variety of older people across the Ipswich and Felixstowe area.
Focusing on helping local services to provide the best possible joined-up care to keep older people healthy, safe and independent for as long as possible can ultimately help us change our thoughts and perceptions of ageing as well as developing sustainable healthcare systems which allow communities foster the abilities of older people.
For more information on the ACT® Assessment and the Integrated Care Academy (ICA) please contact a member of our team.