Ageing well JSNA

Ageing well population

For the purpose of the JSNA, we define the Ageing Well population as people aged over 65. In the borough of Rochdale, there are around 36,861 residents (39,262 registered) in this age range according to the Office for National Statistics 2021 mid-year population estimates.

How does population size impact health?

The size and age of the borough population have a huge influence on the needs and demands for healthcare and related services. Although services will be used by people of all ages, certain ages require higher levels of health care involvement (Goodyear, 2008).

These groups include neonatal and infant children who may require treatment for infectious diseases and immunisations, women in the fertile years who may require supervision and intervention through pregnancy and childbirth, and people in old age who face an increased likelihood of developing conditions.

Demographics of our older population

The combination of longer life expectancies and the ageing of the baby boom generation means that the population aged 65 and over is growing at a much faster rate than those under 65.

The demographic profile of our older people contrasts with that of our younger residents. It is a more homogenous group in terms of ethnicity and contains higher proportions of more affluent households. Consequently, the areas with high populations of older people are different to those with high populations of younger people.

Statistics on the older population

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS) - Population and migration estimates - each June ONS releases annual population estimates grouped by age and sex for local authority areas, with statistics for smaller areas following a few months later. This dataset includes births, deaths and migration estimates. It also produces population projections every 2 years which make predictions for the next 25 years.
  • Office for National Statistics - 2021 Census statistics - ONS population estimates and projections can also be downloaded using the Nomis query data function. This site can also be used to create basic demographic profiles of the borough or wards based on 2021 Census data.