ABSTRACT
Populations in many countries are ageing. For instance, in the UK the percentage of the population aged 65 and over has grown by 1.7 million people in the last 15 years, and is predicted to reach 23% of the UK population by 2034. This increase is highest in those aged 85 and over which is predicted to reach 5% of the population by 2034 (UKOffice for National Statistics, 2010).A similar trend exists throughout the European Union with a prediction of close to 33% of the population being aged 65 or over by 2050 (Zaidi, 2008).
