Age Well
People are living longer, but they are not living longer in good health. Whilst life expectancy is high, residents spend around a fifth of their lives in poor health.
There are 22,300 people living in Kensington and Chelsea aged 65 or over, which is expected to increase in the next 20 years. 36% identify themselves as being from a Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic background.
507 residents live in a care home (with or without nursing). Oral health can become worse for care home residents, and can lead to pain, difficulty eating, and potentially heart disease, and pneumonia.
1 in 12 of our older population are living with dementia, and our diagnosis rates are below the London average. It is only through early identification of health conditions, the quality of care and support of carers that we can maintain the health and wellbeing of residents and ensure they maintain independence for as long as possible.
"The community around me is very special to me. As an old lady living alone, when my local support services check in on me and take time to listen, I get the feeling that 'somebody cares for me', and that is very special."
Living in poor health
Residents spend around a fifth of their lives in poor health.
The lifestyle choices we make can have a significant impact on our health in later life. On average, men are living around 16 years in poor health and women around 20 years. Residents in deprived areas typically live for more years in poor health.
Chronic health conditions and multimorbidity are the clearest drivers of poor health. Chronic pain is the largest contributor to health inequality and is projected to increase at a faster rate in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived areas.
Screening and immunisations
Cancer screening, particularly breast, cervical and bowel cancer, is among the lowest in the country, with those with mental health needs least likely to access it. The flu vaccination uptake in winter by people at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch the flu is low. Only just over one in two older residents are vaccinated against the flu.
Find out more about screening and immunisations.
Help with self-care
1 in 4 residents aged 65 and over need help with self-care.
6,075 adults over 65 were estimated to need help with at least one self-care activity, such as getting in and out of bed. Looking after an adult with a disability or health problem can be tiring, stressful and isolating. Our borough has approximately 2,300 residents who provide at least 50 hours of unpaid weekly care.
Find out more about support for carers.
Living alone and loneliness
Nearly a third of residents aged 65 and over live alone.
Approximately 7,000 people over 65 live alone in Kensington and Chelsea. Nationally, it is estimated that around 10% of those aged over 65 are lonely. There are four life events associated with social isolation among older people: retirement, falling ill, a spouse dying and going into care.
Living with dementia
1 in 12 residents aged over 65 live with dementia.
Dementia is probably the most significant health care challenge we face and is now one of the most common causes of death in London and our borough. An estimated 1,750 patients live with dementia in our borough, with only 1,070 with a formal diagnosis from their GP. Prevalence is highest among Black ethnic groups. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle can delay the onset of dementia.
Find out about dementia support in Kensington and Chelsea.
Dying well
In 2024, there were 778 deaths in Kensington and Chelsea.
Most people died of one of four major conditions: cancer (29% of deaths), cardiovascular disease (23% of deaths), respiratory disease (10% of deaths) or dementia (9% of deaths). Almost 1 in 3 people die at home. 3 in 5 people who die have at least one emergency admission in the last three months of life, and 7% have three or more emergency admissions in their last three months of life.
Read more about what we are doing to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.