Age well

People are living longer, but they are not living longer in good health. This means that people are living longer with health problems and a lower quality of life. There are 25,000 people in Westminster aged 65 or over, which is expected to increase. 30% identify themselves as being from a global majority background.   

522 residents live in a care home (with or without nursing). Oral health can become worse for care home residents and can lead to pain, difficulty eating, and potentially heart disease and pneumonia.   

7% of our older population are living with dementia, and our diagnosis rates are below the London average. Early identification of health conditions, quality of care, and the support of carers help maintain residents' health and wellbeing and ensure they maintain independence for as long as possible.  

Many elderly people, like those with language and digital barriers, are now living in financial crises, and it's causing them both physical and mental health issues. It clouds their ability to get vaccinated, prevent other health issues or keep up with their appointments.

Living in poor health 

Residents live around 17 years in poor health. 

The lifestyle choices we make can have a significant impact on our health in later life. On average, men live around 14 years in poor health and women around 20 years. People identifying themselves as from other ethnic backgrounds are slightly more likely to report having a disability.

Living alone and loneliness 

One in three residents aged 65 and over live alone.  

Approximately 10,700 people aged 65 and over live alone in Westminster. In the City survey, residents aged 55 years and over were more likely to be lonely, with one in five reporting this. There are four life events associated with social isolation among older people: retirement, falling ill, a spouse dying, and going into care.  

Screening and immunisations 

There is currently a low uptake of screening and immunisations. 

Cancer screening, particularly breast, cervical and bowel cancer, is among the lowest in the country, with those with mental health needs least likely to access it.  

The flu vaccination uptake in winter by people at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch the flu is low. Residents from a Black or Mixed ethnic background are least likely to have a flu or COVID-19 vaccination.  

Find out more about screening and immunisations 

Help with self-care 

Two in seven residents aged 65 and over need help with self-care. 

9,500 adults aged 65 and over were estimated to need help with at least one self-care activity, such as getting in and out of bed. Looking after an adult with a disability or health problem can be tiring, stressful, and isolating. Our borough has approximately 3,500 residents who provide 50 hours and over of unpaid weekly care. 

Find out about support for carers 

Dying well 

In 2021 there were 1,188 deaths in Westminster.  

The majority of people died of one of four major conditions: cancer (31% of deaths), cardiovascular disease (24% of deaths), respiratory disease (11% of deaths) or dementia (8% of deaths). Over one in four people die at home. Three in five people who die have at least one emergency admission in the last three months of life, and around one in 20 have three or more emergency admissions in their last three months of life.  

Read more about what we are doing to improve the health and wellbeing of residents