The Oscar-winning actress and Age UK ambassador is supporting a new campaign urging people in midlife to make exercise a “key part” of their routine
Dame Helen Mirren has urged those in their middle years not to “fear” ageing and to embrace physical activity. The 79-year-old actress suggested that making “little changes now to help them later in life” doesn’t necessarily mean joining a gym but could involve short walks or yoga.
Her comments come as Age UK expressed “major concern” about the physical health and wellbeing of people as they age. The charity is encouraging individuals aged 50 to 65 to incorporate exercise into their daily routine as part of its latest campaign.
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, echoed this sentiment, stating that maintaining fitness in midlife is one of the “main preventive strategies” for staying healthy in older age.
Supporting the new campaign, Dame Helen, an Age UK ambassador, said: “Whatever you may think about ageing, it’s something we must all try to embrace rather than fear.”
She continued: “It’s no secret that for many, getting older will come with its complications – specifically there will likely be aches and pains along the way, getting out and about and living as independently as we’re used to in our younger years may not be as easy to do.
“This is why I’m supporting Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign, they’re encouraging everyone in their 50s to make little changes now to help them later on in life.
“It doesn’t have to be joining a gym; it can just be small changes like taking a short walk or yoga, which I still enjoy.
“It’s never too late to start doing something, so why not give something a go while you’re younger?”
According to a recent Age UK poll, nearly half of 50 to 65 year olds (47%) feel they don’t exercise enough. Health issues (22%), feeling unfit (19%), and lack of time (18%) were the main barriers to exercise, as reported by a Kantar survey of 2,100 UK adults in this age group.
Paul Farmer, Age UK’s CEO, stated: “Age UK’s first major campaign aimed at people aged between 50 and 65 is driven by a major concern for the country’s physical and mental wellbeing as we age.
“Yet evidence shows that being more physically active, in whatever way works for us, and within our own capabilities, is great for our physical and mental health. Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference.
“Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life.”
Sir Chris’s 2023 report “included evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise, proposing that this should be one of our main preventive strategies for maintaining health into older age and for counteracting frailty-related physical impairment.”
He said: “I am therefore delighted that Age UK is launching a campaign targeted at people in midlife that encourages them to be physically active and I wish the charity success with its important initiative.”
Loose Women’s Denise Welch, also an ambassador for Age UK, shared her insights: “I’ve seen first hand how tough life can be as we get older, and while there are some things that are always going to be out of our control, I’m a firm believer in the positive impact small changes in midlife can have on the quality of our later years.”