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| Key findings from the 2005 survey - General Health |
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iStockphoto.com/Daniel Bendjy |
| • More than half of both men and women aged 65 and over said their health was ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
• 37% of men and 40% of women over 65 reported at least one functional limitation (seeing, hearing, speaking, walking or using stairs).
• The most frequently reported difficulty among women with functional limitations was climbing the stairs.
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| • Fewer than a third of those aged 65 and over ate the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Around 5% of men and 3% of women ate no fruit and vegetables, and this varied by region (see chart).
• Rates of anaemia increased with age and were highest among the lowest income groups.
• 14% of women and 8% of men aged 65 and over had vitamin D Deficiency, which increased with age among women. A lack of vitamin D in older people can, for instance, increase the risk of bone fractures and muscle weakness. |
iStockphoto.com/Jordon Chesbrough |
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| • The survey included measures of physical function, which provide information about people’s ability to carry out every day activities, and can predict the chances of disability, falls and use of health care services.
• Hand-grip strength, a measure of upper body strength, was greater for men than women and declined with age. By the age of 85, grip strength was about two thirds of that for 65-69 year olds on average, among both men and women.
• Walking ability also declined with age. A quarter of women aged 65 and over could not walk fast enough to cross the road in the time available at a pelican crossing. |
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| • Falls can cause injuries including fractures and can lead to physical disability, psychological problems and the need for long term care. • 23% of men and 29% of women aged 65 and over had fallen in the last year, and the proportion who had fallen increased with age (see chart). |
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