The government has launched a new website - and says everyone over the age of 45 should use it to check their ‘midlife MOT’. The new resource aims to get people to look at various aspects of their life including their health, money situation and skills.
One key area of the initiative is the NHS health check section. People can check to see if they need to make urgent lifestyle changes before it is too late.
Crucial sections are the calculate your heart age part - there are a number of factors which can determine if you need to rethink how you approach your life to make sure you’re still healthy as you get older.
It also links to the NHS free health check - something which is available to everyone over the age of 40. People over 40 in England will be sent a blood test to carry out at home in a bid to reduce heart disease and obesity. Digital NHS health checks, which will also include an online health questionnaire, will be launched next spring for people aged 40 to 74.
Around 15 million people will be eligible, with around one million online checks expected to be carried out over the next four years.
Also available is a work-related portal, offering resources around work options for the over 50s, assistance in returning to work and also find out about available skills training.
As part of this, MoneyHelper has created a financial tool which will provide a personalised report to help people understand what to prioritise to improve their financial position, from now through to retirement.
Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP said: “We are all living longer and planning for later life is essential but knowing where to start can be daunting. Our digital Midlife MOT is open to everyone and easy to access, and will give people the tools to make informed decisions – on their personal finances, their health and on their careers. I would encourage older people in particular to invest the time to see exactly what it can do for them.”
Andy Briggs, CEO of the Phoenix Group and Older Workers Champion for the Government added: “The introduction of an enhanced digital MOT, that’s open to all, is welcome news and, with a focus on work, wealth and wellbeing, it will be an essential tool in helping people make the most of their longer lives. So much so, that Phoenix Group has piloted its own version of the midlife MOT which will be rolled out to colleagues in the coming months.
“The desire to stay in meaningful work for longer is already important to many people. More experienced, older workers offer a wealth of knowledge but are often written-off or overlooked for no good reason. Age is no barrier to learning and I encourage businesses to invest for all, to enjoy the benefits of greater retention and more skilled employees.”
The digital Midlife MOT forms part of the Government’s wider package to help older workers find and move into work as well as helping those already in work understand what support is available. In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced that the DWP will be increasing the number of people who can access in person Midlife MOT support via their local Jobcentre, from 8,000 to 40,000 a year.
