Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
08 November 2013 09:49
Sixteen per cent of Britain's 10 million pensioners have hidden an ailment from their loves ones
No fewer than one in six of the UK's over-65s is concealing a serious injury, illness or accident from friends or family, research has suggested.
Some 16% of Britain's 10 million pensioners have hidden an ailment from loved ones because they fear losing their independence or believe they will be seen as a burden, according to a survey.
Of these, 12% said they thought they would be judged as incapable of looking after themselves.
Half said they wanted to avoid friends or relatives over-reacting, while two-thirds did not want to worry them and one in 10 said they were scared about being admitted to hospital.
The research, which highlights the importance of ensuring forms for seniors travel insurance have been filled out correctly, found that more than one in five over-65s fear they will be seen as a burden as they grow older.
This Morning television presenter Ruth Langsford, who is backing a campaign to stop older people suffering in silence, said she faced "some serious barriers" when talking to her parents about their wellbeing.
"My mum is a fiercely independent 83-year-old but she lives alone now," she said.
"We constantly worry that she is covering up problems and concerns so that we don't see her as a burden."
The online poll of 2,000 UK adults aged 65 to 93 was commissioned by Centra Pulse, which provides personal telecare alarms.
Wendy Darling of Centra Pulse said more should be done to support older people at risk of covering up potentially serious problems.
Too many families will only start talking about care after some sort of crisis has already happened, she added. Taking out pre-existing medical travel insurance can guard against such a crisis happening overseas.
Age UK spokeswoman Caroline Abrahams described the figures as "worrying".
But she said they came as no surprise considering the "constant conversation" about the impact of our ageing population on NHS costs and the rest of society.
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
[more...]
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.
08 September 2016
British Airways is apologising to passengers for delays after an IT glitch hit check-in systems.