THE North East needs to plan for how climate change may affect the growing number of older people in the region, say experts.
Researchers at Durham University have mapped areas of England most likely to face more extreme weather events and a growth in elderly populations over the next 30 years, and have called on service providers to adjust their planning to meet these challenges.
The maps produced by Durham University’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh suggest many areas predicted to see an increase in severe weather, such as floods, heatwaves and severe cold spells, or coldwaves over the next 30 years, also need to plan for the care for high proportions of vulnerable older people.
Professor Sarah Curtis, of the Department of Geography at Durham University, said: “We are expecting to see quite a big growth in people over 65 in the North East and also rapid growth in numbers in the oldest age groups, and we need to be prepared.
“Although there may not be as many heatwaves in the North as in the South, there will still be an increase in these events in the North.
“There may be more and more extreme hot and cold weather events.
“It makes sense to plan ahead. Coldwaves will continue to occur in the future and pose a significant health risk to older people.”
The 2009/10 coldwave resulted in 25,400 excess winter deaths in England and Wales, the majority amongst those aged 75 and over.
The study, based on data derived from the UK Climate Impacts Programme and the Environment Agency, is mapping the likely patterns of heatwaves, coldwaves and flooding.
