People aged 50 and over are relatively positive about their own health, though slightly less so than in 2016. Fewer described their health as good or very good (59 per cent compared with 64 per cent in 2016), and more rated it as bad (11 per cent, compared with eight per cent), according to Ipsos MORI research carried out in 2017 into the views of people aged over 50 on health, ageing and support.

Eating healthily is seen as important for both physical and mental health, though nearly half do not think a healthy lifestyle can prevent dementia. Loneliness continues to be seen as a big problem for older people and most think society is not doing enough to prevent it.

Views are less positive than a year ago about whether the government has the right policies about care and support services, and about whether they work well with the NHS to provide co-ordinated care.

Concern about meeting the cost of care and support services has increased, however people are still not preparing substantially for the financial cost of care and support they might need.

Participants in the survey were asked to define the age at which they think the term ‘older person’ would start to apply. Four in ten thought that it starts between the ages of 70-79 years old, while three in ten suggested an age between 60-69 years old.

The report is the second of two surveys conducted on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.