Physical disability in adults

There are almost 11 million people with a limiting long term illness, impairment or disability in the UK. The most commonly-reported impairments are those that affect mobility, lifting or carrying. The Disability Discrimination Act, 2005 definition of a disability (PDF 68 KB) is "someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities". Findings from the Activity Alliance show that 70% of people with a disability who were surveyed are motivated to be active to improve or maintain their physical health.

The prevalence of disability rises with age: around 8% of children are disabled, compared to 18% of working-age adults (16-64) and 44% of adults over state pension age in Great Britain (Family Resources Survey, Department for Work and Pensions, 2017-2018). 31% of people with disabilities in the UK live in poverty compared to 20% of people with no disabilities. There are an additional 3 million non-disabled people who live with a family member where someone is disabled. Over half of the people living in poverty are affected in some way by disabilities. 33% of children in families with at least one disabled parent live in poverty. (UK Poverty 2019/20, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2020)

Key findings for Lancashire-14

The following estimates are for 2020 and are sourced from the Projecting Adult Needs and Service Information (PANSI) website and the Projecting Older People Population Information (POPPI) website.  These websites use data sourced from the Institute of Public Care (IPC) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Further breakdowns by age are available in the data section at the bottom of the page:

Moderate and serious personal care disabilities

A moderate personal care disability means the task can be performed with some difficulty; a serious personal care disability means the task requires someone else to help.

• In Lancashire-12 there are an estimated 28,599 adults aged 18-64 living with a moderate personal care disability and 6,297 with a serious personal care disability; for Blackburn with Darwen the figures are 3,354 and 747; and for Blackpool they are 3,391 and 743.
• By 2035 these estimates are expected to fall to 26,213 for moderate personal care disabilities and to 5,821 for serious personal care disabilities (Lancashire-12); 3,193 and 712 (Blackburn with Darwen); and 2,976 and 658 (Blackpool).

People aged 65+ who need help with at least one self-care activity

• In Lancashire-12 there are an estimated 72,271 adults aged 65+ who need help with at least one self-care activity; for Blackburn with Darwen the figure is 6,088 and for Blackpool it is 8,085.
• By 2035 these estimates are expected to rise to 96,501 (Lancashire-12), 7,971 (Blackburn with Darwen) and 9,955 (Blackpool). 

People aged 65+ who need help with at least one domestic task

• In Lancashire-12 there are an estimated 72,795 adults aged 65+ who need help with at least one domestic task; for Blackburn with Darwen the figure is 6,090 and for Blackpool it is 8,160.
• By 2035 these estimates are expected to rise to 97,561 (Lancashire-12), 8,008 (Blackburn with Darwen) and 10,029 (Blackpool).

People aged 65+ providing unpaid care to a partner, family member or other person

• In Lancashire-12 there are an estimated 38,227 adults aged 65+ providing unpaid care; for Blackburn with Darwen the figure is 3,282 and for Blackpool the figure is 4,140.
• By 2035 these estimates are expected to rise to 48,312 (Lancashire-12), 4,088 (Blackburn with Darwen) and 4,960 (Blackpool). 

Further analysis and data Pansi and Poppi estimates Lancashire-14, 2020 to 2035 (XLSX 78 KB)

Page updated November 2020