Ageing
5.45 Accessing essential services can become more difficult as a person ages particularly if they live in a rural area, live alone, do not have access to a car or are affected by ill health. The 2001 Census showed that older people, particularly those aged 75 and over were least likely to have access to a car. Local and regional partners will therefore need to work innovatively to deliver welfare services to an immobile and dispersed older population, particularly in rural areas, in order to combat social exclusion.
5.46 Internet Access - Whilst access to information technologies is becoming more widespread and may offer the possibility of delivering some services to isolated people in future, this potential should not be overestimated. The National Statistics Omnibus Survey for 2006 found that use of the Internet declines significantly with age; from 83% of 16 - 24 year olds to 15% of people aged 65 and over. However, the South West has caught up and now has the same proportion of households with an Internet access as England as a whole.