Lincolnshire’s ageing population to increase 41% by 2043, report shows

As Lincolnshire’s pensioner population continues to soar, so do fears of long-term health conditions and strains on the local health sector.

Lincolnshire’s ageing population has consistently increased, and it is anticipated to grow even further in the coming years.

At present, 23% of the county’s population are aged 65 or over, which is above both the regional and national averages.

By 2043, the county’s over-65 population is expected to increase by 41%, currently at 180,000, with over-85s rising by 94%.

The details were at a NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board’s meeting of directors on Tuesday.

The care board called it “really positive” that people are living longer, but said it presents challenges in terms of how health services can be provided.

A third of Lincolnshire’s pensioners live in East Lindsey, creating obstacles in rural and coastal access.

Fears are that the east coast will be “under pressure” due to its ageing population and dispersed health facilities.

Lincolnshire’s director for public health, Derek Ward, suggests a “redesign of the health and care system” over the next decade, focusing on “challenging needs” and encouraging consistent physical activity.

With conditions like dementia expected to rise in prominence—potentially resulting in as many as 7,000 more dementia cases in Lincolnshire over the next two decades if no action is taken—physical activity is the number one priority.

Over half of 65-74 year-olds are expected to have at least two long-term conditions, otherwise known as being multi-morbid, by 2035. By that time, the number of over-65s providing unpaid care will increase by 30%.

A total of four recommendations are made within the report as target areas for older people in Lincolnshire, in a bid to improve the quality of life in later years and relieve strains on the health service.

They focus on social and digital inclusion, transportation links, and adequate housing—major factors in ensuring the best possible care for all residents.

With the wider health and social care budget for all of Lincolnshire being around £2 billion, including the ICB budget and the £220 million allocated to social care by Lincolnshire County Council, the answer is not necessarily more money but more action and streamlined ways of providing the care needed.

This can include ensuring there are more interactive ways to access health services online, providing social group gatherings to prevent isolation, or improving bus and train routes across the county.