Transcript Older People – Isolation and Loneliness, Cheltenham

Intro to Research Task:
Older People – Isolation and
Loneliness, Cheltenham
Cheltenham Partnership
Priority Action Plan
• Cheltenham Partnership has recently produced a new
action plan that sets out the priorities for collective
action.
• Cheltenham Partnership has recognised the potential
issues regarding the loneliness and isolation of older
people
Background - 1
• In 2026 the under 55 population in Cheltenham will make up 45.7%
compared to 49.2% in 2001
• The 2011 census suggests a 32.5% growth in 60-79 year olds by
2035 and a 93.8% increase of over 80 year olds
• Cheltenham’s population is predicted to increase by 10% in the next
20 years or so, with the majority of growth coming from the over 60s.
Background - 2
Maintaining life satisfaction and social participation can
have a positive influence on:
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Quality of life
Physical wellbeing
Health
Mental functioning
Life expectancy
How do you measure social isolation?
• Social relationships – if the person has contact at least once a
week with friends and/or family.
• Cultural engagement – if the person takes part in cultural activities
such as trip to the cinema, museum, art gallery, festival, opera,
theatre or concert at least once a year.
• Civic Participation – if the person is member of a political party,
trade union or environmental group; a tenants’ or neighbourhood
group or neighbourhood watch; a church or religious group; or a
charitable association; or takes part in voluntary work at least once
in the last year.
• Leisure activities – if the person is a member of an education, arts
or music group or evening class; a social club; a sports club, gym or
exercise class; or other organisation, club or society.
What factors make older people more vulnerable?
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Those living alone
Recent disengagement from a career/job
Carer
Ex carer
Unfriendly Living environment for older people e.g. living in a flat.
Poor health
Disabilities
Poor wealth
Depression
Recent Bereavement
Gender
Marital status
Poor access to public transport
Poor access to amenities
Little contact with family and friends
What do we want to do?
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Identify where older people (aged over 75) are living in Cheltenham and
where they are living in one person households
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Identify the level of social isolation as measured by the four main indicators
(Social Relationships, Cultural Engagement, Civic Activities and Leisure
Activities) experienced by older people within Cheltenham.
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Identify if there are there any particular groups of older people that are more
detached than others? E.g. gender, marital status, etc.
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Identify and map social groups and support organisations for older people in
Cheltenham and then to assess if these are accessible to the areas where
there are significant numbers of older people.
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Find how activities and resources should be advertised to older people
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Location of income deprived older people
Also…
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How to prevent? – need focus not just on older people but also on younger older
people 50-65
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Continuity theory – people remain active and engaged throughout life. When a person
becomes older they fall back on their most successful social frameworks (Conger,
2013).
Need to consider:
• Do older people know of the groups available to them?
• What do older people like doing?
• What would increase their participation in community groups?
• What time of the day best suits older people? It is assumed day time, but many who
could give older people a lift are at work. – also these may only attract older old
people
• What do older people want to contribute to their communities?
• What do older people care about most?
• What do older people fear the most?
• Identify older people volunteers to help fellow older people within their communities
How will we do it?
• Desk top research – 2011 census results, secondary research
• Work with partners who have detailed knowledge of particular areas
• Use key contacts
• Questionnaire
• Focus groups – informal chats with older people, set up by
partnerships
Key contacts already involved:
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Rachael Capener - Housing support manager, CBC.
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Jim Rollinson - Secretary and Trustee of Gloucestershire Older
Persons' Association
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Michele Le Mero - Public Health Manager Older People, Accident
Prevention, Forest of Dean Locality
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Mike Brereton – 2 gether NHS Foundation Trust
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Liz Penwill
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Frequency
So far identified…
Park and Prestbury
have the largest number
of over 75 year olds living
alone
800
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75 and over year olds
75 and over year olds in one person households
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Number of victims who were 75 and over (2010-2011)
So far identified…
75 and over population victim of crime 2010-2011
25
20
15
10
5
0
How can partners help?
• Comment on proposed methodology
• Help identify what groups, activities and support is already available
in the community for older people in Cheltenham
• Advise on ways to distribute questionnaires
• Be part of a task and finish group to help guide the work