A ‘mid-life MOT’ has been designed by The Pilgrims’ Friend Society after a poll found more than half of individuals aged 40 to 60 are worried about their later years.
The MOT is among a range of new resources published after a survey found 54% of adults in the 40-60 age bracket are frightened of later life. The YouGov research, commissioned by the charity, came after the latest census results show the number of adults aged 65-plus in England and Wales rose to more than 11m in 2021, up from 9.2m in 2011.
The evangelical charity has now launched a campaign, Getting Real About Getting Older, to help people prepare for later life. The MOT encourages individuals to consider some essential questions, such as ‘who am I and what changes would I like to make?’. The campaign also includes films with older people about their experiences.
The survey was conducted this January and involved 4,645 adults, 1,566 of which were aged 40-60. It revealed that 47% are worried about being a burden on friends and family while 43% worry about being lonely. Almost nine in 10 (86%) feel preparation for later life is important; and just under a quarter (24%) have made no steps to prepare for later life. Yet the vast majority (92%) agreed that financial preparation is important.
The charity’s marketing and communications director Alexandra Davis said: ‘As someone approaching mid-life myself, I’m realising that there are big things to think through. The insights provided in our films have helped me appreciate that later life is something I can take practical steps to prepare for and embrace with positivity and hopefulness.’
The Pilgrims’ Friend Society says on its website: ‘We are motivated by our love for God, His love for His people, His love for the world and our desire to help people in older age witness to God’s power and the wonderful things He has done’ and says ‘the teachings of the Bible are our sole and final authority.’
The charity provides care homes and housing schemes in different parts of the country based on its Christian ethos and practices.
