Longer and healthier lives is key goal for Staffordshire residents

Professor Aliko Ahmed, director of public health for Staffordshire, has created the report, Healthy ageing in Staffordshire: Adding life to years and years to life. It has been submitted to Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet for approval.

In the report, Mr Ahmed says that supporting the growing elderly population is 'a global challenge' which adds an increasing demand on health services, long-term care and funding.

The report also reveals that in the future, an increasing number of people in Staffordshire can expect to live to be more than 100.

Currently across the county, a total of 15 per cent of people are classed as 'frail elderly' however this smaller group of people account for almost 70 per cent of health and care resources.

Mr Ahmed also says there is not enough recognition of the positive contribution older people make to society and says old age should be celebrated as an asset rather than perceived as a burden.

His report also emphasises the need for shift to a more positive focus on promoting healthier, active and independent ageing journeys where possible and highlights the health and wellbeing currently experienced by older people in Staffordshire.

The report outlines key areas to add quality to healthy ageing, including creating the right environment around areas such as health and housing, promoting healthier lifestyles and choices, social inclusion and the provision of quality care services.

Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, welcomed the recommendations in the report.

He said: "This report makes it crystal clear that that we have to change to meet the growing demands of supporting an increasing ageing population, but it recognises too that we need to embrace and value even more the contribution older people in our communities can make.

"This report is called healthy ageing in Staffordshire, but the real story is in the subtitle 'adding life to years and years to life'. It is about fostering more independence and less dependence through prevention, early intervention and quality support to help more people lead better, healthier, active lives as they age."

Members of the council's cabinet will meet on April 15 and committee members are recommended to endorse the report.