When it comes to getting old, the biggest concern Irish people have is how their physical ability will decline, new research has found.

According to new findings from the Pfizer Health Index, while the majority of adults in Ireland agree that getting old is inevitable and therefore not worth worrying about, 39% admitted that they hate the thought of getting old.

When asked what their biggest concerns about getting old were, 61% said they were concerned about a decline in physical ability and 53% were concerned about memory loss.

Some 46% were concerned about developing a chronic disease, 38% were concerned about being a burden on their families and 25% were concerned about not having enough money.

Almost one in four - 23% - admitted to having a fear of dying.

The research also looked at positive aspects of ageing and found that 54% viewed having more time with family and grandchildren as the biggest benefit.

Some 35% said retiring from work is the most positive aspect of ageing, while 34% said they looked forward to having more time to take up a new hobby or activity.

The Pfizer Health Index has been carried out for the past 10 years. Each year, around 1,000 people are surveyed on a wide range of health-related topics. This year's survey involved 1,004 people aged 16 and older and was carried out in April of this year.