Older Population Takes Personal Responsibility for Health

ANDOVER, England, January 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Research released today by healthcare provider Simplyhealth shows that the UK's older population is doing all it can to live a healthy lifestyle. 78% of people aged 70 and over actively try to keep fit and healthy.

People are also more likely to take personal responsibility for their health as they grow older. 19% of those over 70 say they do everything they can to keep fit and healthy, compared to 13% of over 60s and just 8% of over 55s. However, 23% of those over 70 say they sometimes feel excluded by companies targeting a younger market.

58% of the over 70s say they attend health appointments. However, 26% say extra encouragement to attend them would help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. That's why Simplyhealth has developed the new Simply Cash Plan 70 Plus to help people aged 70 and over budget for everyday healthcare costs.

Clare Lee from Simplyhealth comments: "Our research shows that older people want to achieve a healthy lifestyle, but want companies to provide more encouragement to attend health appointments. Simplyhealth's new Simply Cash Plan 70 Plus can help them do just that and has been developed in response to demand from consumers.

"As with our standard cash plan, individuals can claim money back for visits to the dentist, optician and chiropractor, up to annual limits. In addition, it includes exclusive benefits such as occupational therapy, hearing aid payment and an introductory 20% discount on mobility products and daily living aids from the Simplyhealth stores. All this starts at just GBP9.95 a month. Also, it's the only plan in the market to offer an occupational therapy benefit for those aged 70 and over."

Simply Cash Plan 70 Plus can be bought over the phone on 0800 072 5846. For more information about Simplyhealth please visit http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk.

    
    Notes to Editor

    - The research was conducted by Opinion Matters using an online fieldwork
      methodology. 1,002 adults aged 55 and over were surveyed between 22
      December 2010 and 4 January 2011

    - We have been providing healthcare solutions for nearly 140 years,
      through cash plans, dental plans, private medical insurance, healthcare
      trusts and mobility and living aids

    - Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is
      authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk/media-centre