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On 2 November 2004, the Department of Health (DH) published a report (Better health in old age) which shows that older people are healthier, more active and longer lived than ever before and are more likely to stop smoking and take advantage of health screening and immunisation to stay healthy.
The report charts progress being made by health and social care services towards achieving the quality standards set out in the Older People's NSF including:
* one million bed days saved because of reductions in delayed discharges
* life expectancy has increased - men reaching 65 in 2002 can expect to live for another 16 years compared to 14.6 years in 1993. Women reaching 65 in 2002 can expect to live for another 19 years compared to just over 18 years in 1993.
* mortality rates for people aged over 65 have fallen, for example, death from coronary heart disease has fallen from 1381 per 100,000 population in 1993 to 857 per 100,000 population in 2003
The report can be viewed on the DH website