Transcript Older people in Oslo

Older people in Oslo
A presentation by students from
Høgskolen i Oslo and York St
John University.
Introduction
Background
Method
Theory
Findings
Conclusion
Background
Partnership between Høgskolen i Oslo
and York st John University: Module on
Older People and Occupational
Therapy
Method
Worked in groups to devise interviews to
investigate the experience of ageing within
Oslo
Carried out the interviews at Elderly centres
around Oslo.
Qualitative research, semi-structured
interviews.
Areas of interest, cultural attitudes towards
ageing, role changes, equality and inequality.
What are Elderly Centres
A meeting place for elderly people
offering services and activities that
reflect their experiences and skills
responding to their diverse needs and
interests. It should enhance their
dignity, support their independence and
encourage social engagement.
(Dreksler J, 2007)
Background Theory
A lot of research, both national and
international, shows a clear relationship
between health condition and social
position. The better postition we are in
according to employment, income or
education, the less mortality, sickness, self
reported health problems and
consequences of disease. The same
pattern is found for most factors that are
considered to affect occurence of sickness
and death.
(Stortingsmelding nr. 16)
Continued...
New research implies that diversity in
health between income groups is
increasing, at least when it concerns
premature death. While the people with
higher income have favorable
development, the people with lower
income can not take part of the health
profit because they are standing still in
their development.
(Stortingsmelding nr. 16)
Continued...
International comparative research
implies that the differences probably
are not smaller in Scandinavia and
Norway than in other western European
countries- it appears to be to the
contrary. There a is registered
continuing indifference over many
decades – maybe even 100 years, also
in Norway – even if both the clinical
picture and the causation have
changed.
(Stortingsmelding nr. 16)
Oslo
Population of Oslo (2005) = 548,617
Older people from 67+ (2005) = 61,795
There are 16 Elderly Centres in Oslo.
West Oslo = Average family income Kroner
508,000 - 712,000
East Oslo = Average family income Kroner
364,000 - 515,000
West Oslo = 2%-5.4% receive social help
East Oslo = 5.2%-13.7% recieve social help
(www.ssb.no)
Findings
Some of the participants interviewed
commented that they liked the elderly centres
because they were able to participate.
They said that feel respected by their
environment when at the elderly centres.
Most of the participants said that they went to
the centres to socialise .
Findings continued...
A contrast emerged between the East and the West;
East
West
-Lower income.
-poorer living standards.
-less participation.
-less opportunities.
statistics showing death 10
years earlier than those
who live in the west.
-Higher income.
-more opportunities.
-better perceived sense of
wellbeing.
-more participation.
Findings continued...
Attiudes seemed to differ towards ageing
between the East and the West
East
West
-Low Morale
-Felt restricted by
environment,
-Felt there was a lack of
resources.
-Felt there was a lack of
empowerment and
support
-took more initiative to
start groups themselves,
-had better resources,
were easily enabled.
-were motivated.
-had a positive view of
ageing.
Conclusion
Older people in the socially deprived areas
of Oslo appear to be at a disadvantage to
those in more affluent areas.
In line with the European year for Equal
opportunities we think that Occupational
Therapists should work to promote equal
opportunities for participation in the
community. This may mean promoting
positive attitudes towards ageing and
challenging environmental barriers such as
lack of resources.
References
www.ssb.no/emner/02/01/fobhusinnt/ta
b-2003-12-18-01.html
Dreksler, Jorunn (2007)
Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen
Stortingsmelding nr. 16 - Resept for et
sunnere Norge (2002-2003)