Britain's pensioners are living far more healthy lifestyle in old age than stereotypes suggest, a report has claimed.

Better lifestyle choices were said to be partly the reason for bringing about healthier lives for many older Britons. Photo: GETTY

Better lifestyle choices were said to be partly the reason for bringing about healthier lives for many older Britons

Authors claimed breakthroughs in medical interventions and lifestyle changes, such as drinking and smoking less by individuals, had played crucial roles in bringing about healthier lives for many older Britons.

But the report, from a group of the country's leading experts on ageing, warned that an urgent review was needed to ensure they are not failed when they reach 80.

The report’s head, Professor Linda Partridge, of University College London, said pensioners appeared to be “living healthier, more productive lives.

"Today's 60-year-olds have the lifestyles that 40-year-olds had a century ago,” she said.

“More importantly, we are now shaping up to a future in which 80-year-olds will live as 60-year-olds do today.

“No one wants to live an extra 10 years if they have to spend them in a nursing home. But that is not what is happening at present. People are living longer.”

The report, Rejuvenating Ageing Research, said the average life expectancy in Britain was increasing daily by more than five hours. Currently, on average men live to 77.2 and women to 81.5.

As a result, it concluded that by 2050 ageing populations would likely cost nations "around nine times more than the current economic downturn".

"Healthy life expectancy is increasing at least as quickly as life expectancy," said the report.

"(Britain has) much less to fear from the ageing population than some anticipate.

“Indeed, if healthy life expectancy increases rapidly enough, then the ageing population becomes an economic and social opportunity rather than a challenge."

But the report warned that far more was needed to ensure the trend was maintained.

Britain, they said, needed to establish a group of top scientists, doctors and engineers, whose sole purpose was dedicated to tackling problems of old age.

These included hiring more young scientists, establishing centres of excellence and providing more funding to grant-giving organisations that were solely dedicated to ageing research.

A spokesman for Age Concern and Help the Aged welcomed the report.

“It is obviously great knowing that more people are living longer and healthier lives but many will still face quite long periods of time of illness… at the end of their lives,” he said.

“We know these changes are coming so there is no excuse not to be prepared. We have to start spending the money to ensure that we make the medical advances needed to deal with large demographic shift.”

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Andy Burnham admitted the care system could no longer cope amid a healthcare "time bomb" currently facing Britain's ageing population.

Mr Burnham gave stark warning the future could be bleak for millions of people unless a consensus was found on how to help the 1.7 million more people expected to need social care over the next two decades.

His warnings came as charities warned growing numbers of families with elderly relatives in council care homes were being forced to pay “top-up fees” amid funding shortfalls and rising demand.

Under reforms announced in July, a compulsory charge to cover the cost of nursing home care or home help could be introduced with “National Care Service” also established.

A Department of Health spokesman said the government was investing and "revolutionising" the system for the future.

"More of us are living longer - life expectancy is going up and advances in medical science mean that people with a disability are living longer," he said.

"This is worth celebrating but does mean we need to radically change the way care is provided and paid for.

"We need a system that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone and gives excellent care wherever we live and whatever our needs."