Study into Scotland's ageing population published

A new study has been published aimed at helping policymakers improve the lives of Scotland's ageing population.

Healthy Ageing in Scotland (HAGIS) analysed data from 1,000 people in the country aged over 50.

It gives information on their economic, health and social circumstances which will “influence and support'' debate around how to tackle problems posed by an increasingly older population, according to the University of Stirling.

Professor David Bell said: “HAGIS is an important resource for academics and policymakers seeking to understand the challenges faced by older people in Scotland.

“Its links to similar studies worldwide and to administrative records in Scotland make it a more powerful tool for understanding these challenges than any other survey currently available.

“It comes at a time when the Scottish Government is acquiring new powers, many of which affect older people.''

Participants gave information on their wellbeing, finances, health, relationships and activities.

Most of them gave permission to link this data with their health, pension, benefits and tax records.

Initial findings show almost 40% expect to retire before the state pension age, 30% are planning to retire at that point while 30% believe they will continue working.

A total of 68% of those aged between 50 and 64 are working and around 20% are retired, with the remainder unemployed, unable to work through illness or disability, caring or looking after the family home.

Just 18% who identify themselves as being in poor health are in work.

Respondents typically underestimate their life expectancy, with women underestimating their life expectancy more than men.

People in more affluent areas are more likely to underestimate their life expectancy.

Someone living in the most affluent area of Scotland typically believes they will die 2.4 years earlier than someone in the most deprived.

Meanwhile, single men are significantly less likely to participate in bowel cancer screening, at 57.6%, compared to those who live with a partner, at 79.5%.

Increasing the participation rate of single males to the Scottish average would save around 3.2 lives per year, the team said.

Launched in July 2015 by Prof Bell and research fellow Dr Elaine Douglas, the £500,000 study is funded by the US-based National Institute of Ageing and Nuffield Foundation.

The initial findings are to be revealed at Surgeon's Hall, Edinburgh, with an audience of partners from other international ageing studies