In recognition of International Women’s Day this month, this edition of Clarity Digest examines the health and wellbeing of older women in the UK, drawing insights from Age UK’s report, “Older Women in the UK: Building a Picture of Older Women’s Lives.”
The report highlights significant challenges faced by older women, including gender inequality, health disparities, economic insecurity and caregiving burdens. It underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to improve the lives of older women and reduce the systemic barriers they encounter.
Key Findings
The key findings of the report highlight several significant challenges faced by older women in the UK. Older women are more likely to experience poverty compared to men, largely due to lower lifetime earnings, career breaks for caregiving and insufficient pension savings. This financial insecurity often results in instability in later life. In terms of health and wellbeing, older women generally experience poorer health outcomes than their male counterparts, with higher rates of chronic conditions and disabilities. Many also live alone, which increases isolation and limits access to support systems.
Women are more likely to assume primary caregiving roles for family members, a responsibility that can disrupt their employment and financial stability. These caregiving roles come with significant physical, emotional and financial burdens that are often not adequately recognised or supported. Another notable issue is the gender pension gap, where older women receive lower pensions than men, a result of historical gender roles and work patterns that impacted women’s earnings and career continuity.
Older women, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, also face digital exclusion, limiting their access to essential services, information and social connections. Additionally, older women are at higher risk of experiencing ageism and gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and financial exploitation. Unfortunately, these issues are often overlooked and underreported.
Additional Resources
We also feature a curated list of recent publications and podcasts covering a wide range of health and care topics, from leadership to productivity and performance. These resources provide valuable insights into the current landscape of health and social care, helping leaders in the sector stay informed and engaged.
For more in-depth analysis and detailed recommendations click here.
