The charity Age Concern has demanded an urgent review of pensions and benefits after a new report showed many older people took worryingly low levels of exercise and could not afford a healthy diet.

A fifth of people aged over 65 are too unfit to walk even the shortest distance, the study commissioned by the charity shows.

But the report also piles pressure on the Government to do more to help those in lower income brackets who are unable to meet the minimum costs of a healthy life.

For the first time researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have put a cost on living a healthy life for an older person.

They conclude that the total minimum weekly amount for a single person over 65 is £122.70 and £192.60 for a couple.

Although the figure includes food, costs of exercise such as swimming, housing maintenance, dental and eyecare costs, and membership of social clubs, it excludes rent and council tax.

The report found that the minimum weekly cost of a recommended healthy diet for people over 65 is £32.30 - yet people on lower incomes are only spending £23.40.

The researchers also concluded that more than 90 per cent of people over 75 fail to carry out the recommended half-an-hour's moderate exercise at least five days a week - and a fifth of men and two-thirds of women aged 65-74 are unable to walk comfortably at 3mph

The report comes as the Government sets out its vision for a healthier nation in a new White Paper.

Age Concern is pressing the Government to recognise the link between income and health and wants health information targeted at the elderly, focusing on the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise.

It points out that exercise - like walking - costs nothing, and older people can exercise on as little as £2.10 a week.

It is asking for a review of pension and benefits to ensure the elderly can live healthily and wants older people involved in the planning of new services so their needs are taken into account.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "While younger generations are increasingly encouraged to lead healthier lifestyles, the health needs of older people have been routinely overlooked.

"Inadequate income clearly has a major impact on the health of the nation's people in later life, but urgent action to tackle barriers, such as poor health awareness and access to health and leisure facilities, is also needed."

The report's chairman, Professor Jerry Morris, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said: "While we are being urged to make healthy choices in the way we lead our lives, older people on Government minimum fixed incomes are not able to meet the minimum costs of a healthy life.

"The Government must ensure all older people can afford to live healthy lives and so remove the cause of the inequalities that blight the nation's health."
alex.wood@ypn.co.uk

Over 65 - and going to the gym

Retired school cook Barbara France is passionate about the benefits of living healthily.

But it hasn't always been easy as an asthma sufferer, holding down a busy job and then looking after her ailing mother and father.

The discovery of Age Concern's Healthy Living Centre's modern facilities, in Hull, three years ago changed all that and she now goes to its gym religiously twice a week.

"The beauty is that my husband Brian and I go together. It's very important to do things together - you can't have one sitting at home while the other gets the benefit of exercise.

"Since coming to the centre for the last three years, I feel 100 per cent better. It's really transformed my life."

When the 68-year-old started going to the centre in Porter Street she could only manage five minutes on the treadmill, but now she does half-an-hour's brisk walking - as well as lifting weights.

Mrs France said: "My husband has arthritis in his spine and legs, but going to the gym really helps him. We know everybody there which is what I love about it and there are so many things you can do.

"I think if people don't take advantage of it they are very silly. There's no doubt about it - I do feel happier when I have exercised."

According to research by Age Concern, only 17 per cent of people over 60 say they keep fit. Figures show that up to 30 per cent of 65-74 year-old men and women of the same age are obese. Almost eight million are aged 65 or over.

And membership doesn't have to break the bank - over 50s pay just £6 a year, and £2 per hour-long session on top.