Ageing well: insights from a UCL panel discussion

Population ageing is a major social change affecting health, work and wellbeing. Alumni experts in healthy ageing gathered to discuss what ageing well means and the barriers to achieving it.

10 June 2025

The first UCL Connect event of 2025 – part of UCL’s personal and professional development programme for alumni and students – launched with a thought-provoking panel discussion on 'Ageing Well'.

In this article, the panel chair, Dr Brian Beach, Senior Research Fellow in Social Policy & Gerontology at UCL, shares key takeaways from the event.

The panel featured experts from a range of fields including health, wellness, psychology and lifestyle: Nancy Best (UCL English BA 2014), founder of the online fitness community Ladies Who Crunch; Dr Phuong Leung (UCL Ageing and Mental Health MSc 2010; UCL Psychiatry PhD 2017), Senior Research Fellow in Psychiatry at UCL; Rebecca Lines (Master of Public Health MPH 2027), Project and Change Manager at the Centre for Ageing Better; and Dr Marcus Ranney (UCL Medicine MBBS 2008), Founder & CEO of Human Edge.

Beyond longevity: what does ageing well mean?

The discussion opened with an important distinction: ageing well is not just about living longer but about maintaining quality of life. Dr Marcus Ranney, a physician and longevity specialist, highlighted that while medical advancements have extended life expectancy, we must now focus on increasing healthspan – the years lived in good health. He cautioned against the popularised concept of longevity as merely extending life indefinitely and instead advocated for evidence-based approaches to maximise functional health.

Rebecca Lines from the Centre for Ageing Better reinforced this perspective, emphasising that place matters. The environments in which we live, work, and socialise play a crucial role in shaping how we age. Accessible public spaces, well-designed transport systems, and inclusive workplaces all contribute to enabling people to maintain independence and engagement in later life.

Physical health and mobility: a cornerstone of ageing well

A key theme of the discussion was the role of physical activity in healthy ageing. Nancy Best stressed that while the benefits of exercise are widely known, strength training is particularly effective in promoting wellbeing as people age. She cited research showing that just 90 minutes of strength training per week can reduce biological ageing by several years. Strength training is especially crucial for older adults in preventing osteoporosis, reducing fall risk and maintaining mobility.

Beyond structured exercise, the panel explored how urban design influences physical activity. Rebecca shared insights from age-friendly city initiatives, where interventions like benches, safe walking routes, and accessible transport significantly enhance older adults’ ability to remain active and socially engaged.

Cognitive health and social connections

Attention has increasingly grown on the implications of dementia for ageing populations. Dr Phuong Leung, an expert in dementia care, underscored the importance of cognitive stimulation and social engagement for ageing well. Her work on people living with dementia highlights the risks of social isolation, which can accelerate cognitive decline. She advocates for interventions that provide meaningful activities and social interactions, not just for older individuals but also for their caregivers. Care relationships, she noted, are a crucial but often overlooked element of ageing well, with policies needing to better support caregivers to maintain their own wellbeing.

The panel also discussed the pervasive issue of ageism – both societal and self-directed. Rebecca pointed out that ageism can deter people from taking steps to improve their health, whether it’s joining a gym, applying for a job, or seeking medical care. The recently launched Age Without Limits campaign by the Centre for Ageing Better seeks to challenge ageist narratives and foster a more positive view of later life.

The role of nutrition and lifestyle factors

Another recurring theme was nutrition, with several panellists addressing the impact of diet on ageing. Nancy highlighted the widespread lack of awareness around protein intake, particularly among older women. As muscle mass declines with age, adequate protein is essential to maintain strength and function. Yet cultural attitudes and economic constraints often limit dietary choices.

Marcus expanded on this by linking poor dietary habits to the rising burden of metabolic diseases globally. He observed that countries like India, experiencing rapid economic development, are now seeing younger populations with chronic diseases due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. He advocated for early interventions and greater public health efforts to combat these trends.

Towards an age-friendly society

The discussion concluded with a call for policy and systemic changes to promote ageing well, aligned with broader global efforts to promote age-friendly cities and societies. From workplace policies that combat age discrimination to city planning that prioritises accessibility, ageing well is a societal issue requiring collective action.

As Rebecca noted: “We need to shift our mindset – ageing isn’t something that happens to ‘other people.’ It’s a life-long process, and the choices we make today shape our future.”

The insights from this panel reinforce that ageing well is not just an individual responsibility but a societal imperative. With the right policies, cultural shifts and personal practices, we can create environments that promote healthy ageing, where everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and maintain social connections at any age, even when they experience changes in their health and physical functioning.

Want to learn more? Watch the full Aging Well panel discussion to discover more insights.

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