Retirement and care taboo subjects
New research commissioned by older people’s charity Anchor, has revealed the South West is a region in denial about ageing.
More South West residents are comfortable asking for a divorce than looking at the care options available in later life.
Despite it being a life changing decision, six out of ten people in the region (60%) have never thought about care options for later life and seven out of ten people (73%) who would trust someone else to make care decisions for them, haven’t talked about their care options with that person.
Fear of losing control seems to be the main factor crippling the region, with the top concern about care in later life being losing independence (49%). Worries about being able to afford it (48%) feature highly, and South Westerners are also concerned about the impact on loved ones with 20% of the region worried about the emotional strain on their families.
Research shows that one in three women and one in four men will need care at some point in their life¹, so to address these issues head on and encourage people to have a conversation about their care and retirement options, Anchor is launching the Grey Matters campaign (www.Anchor.org.uk/GreyMatters) backed by top behavioural psychologist, Jo Hemmings.
Jo Hemmings, independent behavioural psychologist, said: “As a nation we’re living longer. We can’t afford to put off thinking and talking about our options for later life. It might be a difficult subject for some of us to address, but we’re not doing ourselves any favours by avoiding it.
“Older age should be a time for celebration and enjoying life. Thinking, talking and planning for older age now will put us in control and ensure we get what we want out of later life.”
Jo Hemmings has worked with Anchor to co-author a guide to care and retirement living, which includes tips on tackling the taboos around talking about it. The guide is available to download at www.Anchor.org.uk/GreyMatters
Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor, said: “It’s concerning that more people feel able to deal with divorce than look at their options for care and living in older age. People worry about losing their independence or losing their home in later life, but that’s not how it has to be.
“There are lots of options out there, from retirement villages to leasehold or sheltered housing, where you can live independently and have care options should you need them.
“It’s never too early to talk to your loved ones about the future, and work out what’s right for you. It’s only by planning that your retirement dreams will become reality.”
Anchor has brought together a range of resources to help people look at and think about their options at www.Anchor.org.uk/GreyMatters
