A study completed by Newcastle University and published in the Lancet has found that the amount of time spent needing daily care at the end of life has doubled in England over the past two decades.
It found that men spent 2.4 years on average needing regular care and women three years. Between 1991 and 2011, life expectancy increased by more than four years for both men and women to 82.6 and 85.6 respectively. Using this research and looking ahead to 2025, it means there will be another 35,000 people with high care needs.
Because of the study, researchers have said there needs to be a sharp increase in the number of care home places to cope. This research is further evidence that the government needs to act urgently to help support and meets the demands of an ageing population.
