Elderly people's deaths in Britain since the 80's.

[ivanhoe]

Although excess winter mortality is associated with low temperatures, conditions directly relating to cold, such as hypothermia, are not the main cause of excess winter mortality. The majority of additional winter deaths are caused by cerebrovascular diseases, ischaemic heart disease and respiratory diseases.
Excess winter mortality in England and Wales, 1986/86 to 2009/10
Winter Excess winter deaths Deaths per day Deaths per hour

1986/1987 26,370 220 9
1987/1988 32,970 275 11
1988/1989 21,160 176 7
1989/1990 47,200 393 16
1990/1991 37,940 316 13
1991/1992 34,850 290 12
1992/1993 25,650 214 9
1993/1994 25,900 216 9
1994/1995 27,290 227 9
1995/1996 40,190 335 14
1996/1997 47,690 397 17
1997/1998 22,900 191 8
1998/1999 46,840 390 16
1999/2000 48,440 404 17
2000/2001 24,840 207 9
2001/2002 27,230 227 9
2002/2003 23,970 200 8
2003/2004 23,450 195 8
2004/2005 31,640 264 11
2005/2006 25,270 211 9
2006/2007 23,740 198 8
2007/2008 24,690 206 9
2008/2009 36,450 304 13
2009/2010 25,400 212 9
Source: Office for National Statistics

Skiving - bugs spread better in relatively mild winters.

European and Scandinavian countries pay much higher State pensions.

You people really are the pits.

"Delicate and fragile"??

Ivanhoe, why don't you jump on a plane to JFK and join the occupation in Wall St?

They are the pits but they know it. Have no fear and fight the fight. Wall St awaits you! And Justine MN founder took the corporate dollar aeons ago. We're paying her wages by being on here....

Again, what is your solution? I feel like if I ask you three times it'll appear. Like Candyman or Beetlejuice.

"European and Scandinavian countries pay much higher State pensions."
Yes- and taxation starts at a much higher rate too.
If you can't be bothered to ask a pertinent question, why bother starting a thread? [oxygen thief]

oh- and riv- what exactly is a bingle?

European and Scandinavian countries pay much higher State pensions.

maybe, but how long for? I believe Greek pensions are/were particularly good - but quite clearly, not affordable.

I used to work for Age Concern. The number of OAPs who die through not being able to afford to heat their home properly is approximately 0. The problem is persuading them that they need to spend money on heating their home, as they tend to think it far too expensive.

What Riven wrote.

""I used to work for Age Concern. The number of OAPs who die through not being able to afford to heat their home properly is approximately 0. The problem is persuading them that they need to spend money on heating their home, as they tend to think it far too expensive""

Patronising clap trap, but the again Age Concern are funded by the Government so they have to tow the party line.

Factually 1 in 5 British pensioners die from hypothermia related illnesses every year due to having to choose between heating their homes and eating.

This site has people on it who simply have not got a clue, and this is the bottom line as to why we have the politicians we have, right wingers who also do not care a stuff about the poor, be they old, or young.

You are right Ivanhoe, there are people on this site who don't have a clue. I suspect we'd disagree though whom those people are.

This site has people on it who simply have not got a clue

That is entirely possible, since the primary focus is on parenting rather than issues of ageing. Though of course many of us are dealing with both at the same time. So why don't you try a more courteous approach to providing clues? Seriously, this is an important issue - but all you do is insult everyone in general rather than promoting a constructive discussion.

JLK2: your statement is contradicted by the Age UK website. Perhaps things have changed since you worked there?

When I worked there it was just Age Concern. It has since become Age UK and there are different people in charge with different agendas.

Where is the bit on the Age UK website that contradicts what I said?

As a matter of curiousity, what is Ivanhoe's nationality - so we have some clue where s/he is coming from.

Riven - yes, those benefits do add up. And some of them go to people who don't need them as much as your DD does. I have no idea why my MIL, who has substantial savings, gets as generous help as she does at this stage of her life - its nice that she's not having to erode her capital, but really, she doesn't need it. My own mother managed her small savings and pension carefully, and gave her winter fuel allowance to a relative who was in financial trouble. Nice, but not a well-targetted benefit.

JLK2: it's in this Age UK press release, which also points out that half of all households in fuel poverty contain an over-60.

I do take exception to "This site has people on it who simply have not got a clue" - I have a Masters degree in Gerontology and work for an older people's charity, so feel that I have more than a lay knowledge of the topic.

Older people are a diverse group, just as those in other age groups, so any sweeping statements are unlikely to be inaccurate.

Excess winter deaths is a subject I think most people would take seriously, it's more important to understand the causes and find solutions.

Like others, I'm not sure what Ivanhoe's point is, but he/she seems to have made some wild assumptions about the views of MNers and the British population. His/her anger is wasted energy - what would you like to see done about it?

That is, what would Ivanhoe like to see done about the excess winter deaths situation, if I've not made myself clear.

The 2008/2009 excess winter deaths in England & Wales are comparable to those in Italy for the same period.

Just so, Riven. In some warm countries you'll get an 'excess' (or at least, a balancing) in heatwaves because elderly people are vulnerable to that too.