Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Food shopping in later life: barriers and service solutions
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 18p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Being able to shop for food is important for older people to stay well and independent. However, 19% of people aged 65 and over report that they have a longstanding illness that prevents them from shopping or makes it difficult for them. This report looks at some of the barriers to food shopping facing older people, and at some of the shopping services run by local Age UKs to help older people surmount these barriers. It also looks at the part that retailers can play. Focus groups with older people revealed that older people may have difficulties getting to food shops, and, once in-store, may have difficulties with the store layout and with getting help from staff. Age-unfriendly packaging and large portion sizes were also a problem. The report recommends that retailers can attract and retain older customers by using the following measures: making stores fully accessible; helping older people to buy online; using retailers’ buying power to meet older people’s needs; and working with their local Age UK. Six examples of shopping services provided by Age UK which fall into 3 broad categories are described: escorted services; home delivery services; and internet shopping services.
Why can't I get care? Older people's experiences of care and support
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 23
- Place of publication:
- London
This short report aims to explain why people can't get the care they need, drawing on older people's experiences, as well as on what we know about how the social care system is supposed to work, and how it actually works in cash-strapped 2022. New polling from Age UK finds that 10% (1.6 million) of over-60s in the UK are already cutting back or stopping their social care, or expect to do so in the months to come, because they can't afford the cost. This particularly affects older people who pay for their own care, but in England even those whose care is supposedly funded by the State often have to pay 'top ups' to their provider, so some of them are likely to be impacted too. In addition, 22% (3.6 million) of older people are already reducing or stopping spending on medications or specialist foods or expect to do so in the coming months; and 15% (2.5 million) are already skipping meals, or expect to do so over the same time period. Given these worrying statistics it is not surprising that the same polling found that more than half of over-60s 54% or 8.8 million people said they believed that cost of living increases would affect their health and care needs over the winter. In most cases, the answer to the question this report poses, 'why can't I get care?', is that there simply isn't the care to get. The severe shortages in staff and the lack of funding to pay for more or better services to provide care or respite provision have left a gaping hole in support, and often services just aren’t available. (Edited publisher abstract)
Living in a digital world after Covid-19: the experiences of older people who don’t live their lives online
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 17
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing explores what life has been like during the pandemic for older people who do not use the internet or only use it to a limited degree. There has been a steady increase in the proportion of older people using the internet over recent years, but despite many things moving online because of the pandemic, two in five (40%) of people aged 75 or older in the UK, and more than one in eight (12%) of those aged 65 to 74, do not use the internet. Older people we interviewed who either do not use the internet or only use it to a limited extent recognised that the use of digital technology is increasing, and this was likely to continue. Views and experiences of this varied. While some people are relaxed and feel it makes little difference to them, many expressed some concerns. The main reasons people gave for not using the internet were around not being interested or saying it was not something they need, a lack of digital skills and mistrust and concern about scams. It is essential that those who cannot, or do not want to, use the internet, or do not have a smartphone are not excluded or put at a disadvantage. People must be able to access information, keep in touch, shop, manage their finances, and access public services in ways that suit them. (Edited publisher abstract)
Painful journeys: why getting to hospital appointments is a major issue for older people
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- London
This report identifies three key problems that older people and their families can experience when trying to get to routine hospital appointments: long and uncomfortable public transport journeys; variable quality of patient transport services; and extra costs to older people and their families. These difficulties can result in extra costs to the NHS due to missed appointments, possible relapses, and treatment at a point of crisis rather than preventative care. The report draws on the results of a survey of 1,342 people aged 65 or over and uses individual case examples to illustrate the problems experienced. The report calls for the government to conduct a review of transport services to ensure every hospital journey for an older person: is comfortable, affordable, minimises stress and anxiety, and gets them to and from hospital in good time, without long waits. (Edited publisher abstract)
Helping 50+ jobseekers back to work: lessons for the Work and Health Programme
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- London
Policy report which examines why the Government's 'Work Programme' for the long term unemployed and people with a disability has failed the over 50s. It builds on a previous 2013 Age UK report and research conducted by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion to examines the performance of the Government's Work Programme for the long-term unemployed among its participants aged 50 and over. The report looks at why older participants get worse outcomes and what should be done to address the problem; the impact of disability and health on the employment of older people; and regional variations in performance – by geographical area and among providers. It concludes by making recommendations for the Work and Health Programme in order to improve job outcomes for people aged 50 and over. These include early referral to the scheme for jobseekers within ten years of their State Pension age; specialist initiatives for the over 50s; improved opportunities to re- and up-skill; and for the DWP to build a job brokerage service into its employment support delivery. (Edited publisher abstract)
Testing promising approaches to reducing loneliness: results and learnings of Age UK's loneliness Pilot
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- London
This report shares the results of Age UK’s loneliness pilot programme, which aimed to find out Age UK services could better reach older people experiencing loneliness, develop individually tailored solutions and help older people access activities and services within their community. Chapter one outlines origins of the programme, which involved eight local Age UKs in a 12 month pilot. Local services developed three common approaches: recruiting ‘eyes on the ground’ to identify older people experiencing, or at risk of, loneliness; developing co-operative networks with other agencies; and use of traditional befriending services. Chapter two highlights examples of services that local Age UKs are delivering and how the adoption of certain approaches improved their impact on lonely older people. Chapter three look at some of the impacts of the programme. It found that a large number of the older people supported during the programme experienced a reduction in their loneliness scores. This was especially true amongst older people who were often lonely. Some older people also identified feelings of increased independence, wellbeing and connectedness with people. Chapter four outlines the next steps for the Age UK programme. (Edited publisher abstract)
Impact of Covid-19 on older people’s mental and physical health: one year on
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 25
- Place of publication:
- London
This report explores the impact of the pandemic on older people’s physical and mental health eleven months after Covid-19 arrived. Findings are based on representative online polling with 1,487 people aged 60+ across the UK; an online survey shared across social media channels and with Age UK Campaigners in February 2021; in-depth qualitative research with people aged 60+ from less well heard communities, including older people who are digitally and socially excluded and older people from ethnic minority communities. The report shines a light on how the pandemic has impacted older people differentially according to the degree of inequality they are experiencing. It shows that like their younger counterparts, older people from ethnic minorities have been hit harder in various ways, as have older people who are living on low incomes. The report focuses in particular on: physical health; mental health; loneliness and isolation; loss, bereavement and grief; health inequalities; and unpaid carers. The Covid-19 pandemic has made it harder for older people to look after their physical health. Not only have they had reduced opportunities to be physically active, but a significant number have also experienced delays in accessing healthcare and treatment. As a result, older people have told us they have ‘aged’, lost independence, and have a reduced ability to do the things they used to enjoy. The pandemic has also left older people feeling anxious, depressed, and fearful for the future. Some groups of older people have been particularly hard hit, including carers, older people who have been bereaved, and those who have been shielding. Restrictions on going out and meeting others has left vast numbers of older people feeling lonely, isolated, and forgotten. Older people told us they go days without seeing or speaking to anyone and feel like prisoners in their own homes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Socially excluded older people and their access to health and care services: insights from professionals
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
This report brings together a series of case studies from professionals who are working with socially excluded older people, including older people who are homeless, former prisoners, living in poverty, or living with severe mental illness or addiction. It offers an insight into the challenges these older people are facing and provides best practice examples of services making a difference to older people’s lives. The is report is based upon interviews with eight professionals from organisations supporting socially excluded older people. Day-to-day challenges of older people who are socially excluded include mental and physical health, social isolation and addiction. While socially excluded older people are facing challenges separate to ageing their age magnifies the issues which they face and makes day-to-day life more difficult. Reasons for this include the fact that unhealthy behaviours are riskier in later life; and services are not set up for older people. While services do exist to support socially excluded people, accessing them is often challenging, especially for older people, due to a range of reasons including mistrust of services, ageism and stigma, and lack of information. The professionals interviewed identified practical ways to support older people who are socially excluded: building trust with older people; continuity of care; adapting services to support people with cognitive impairment; understanding what matters to older people; moving away from a one-size fits all approach; creating safe spaces; and raising awareness of services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Digital inclusion and older people: how have things changed in a Covid-19 world?
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 14
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing presents new data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Covid-19 Substudy (Wave 1), carried out in June/July 2020, which looks at the impact the pandemic has had on internet use among people aged 52+ in England. Two-fifths of people aged 52 plus in England say they are using the internet more since the start of the coronavirus. However, usage has increased most among groups already using the internet regularly, and so far, there is little evidence that significant numbers of those previously digitally excluded have been prompted to get online during the first few months of the pandemic. Among those aged 75+, only around a quarter are using the internet more while nearly one in ten are using it less. Among those people age 52+ who said they would like to use the internet more, the most common barrier was lack of digital skills, especially among the 75+ group where nearly four out of five mentioned this. The next most common responses for this age group are lack of trust in the internet, and not having access to equipment or broadband. For most older people, the best approach to gaining digital skills is through ongoing support, tailored to their needs and preferences, and delivered on a one-to-one basis. Traditionally, digital inclusion programmes have relied on face-to-face support. But with recent restrictions, organisations are developing support services that can be accessed remotely, over the telephone or via video call. The report argues that while many more people could benefit from digital technology, those who cannot, or do not want to be online should be able to access services and support in a way that suits them. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of COVID-19 to date on older people’s mental and physical health
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing presents findings of a study on the impact of the pandemic on older people’s physical and mental health. It is based on 569 responses to a survey – 369 respondents were older people themselves and 200 answered on behalf of an older person; and representative online polling of 1,364 people over the age of 60 – of these nearly half were over the age of 70 and 40% were already living with a long-term condition before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing focuses on the impact of the pandemic on physical health; diet and nutrition; cognitive decline; people affected by dementia; long term conditions and shielding; mental health and wellbeing; self-neglect; bereavement; loneliness; and health inequalities. While some older people have used the last few months as an opportunity to do more exercise and improve their fitness, this study suggests that many have seen their health deteriorate in the face of isolation and reduced opportunities to socialise and be physically active – sometimes drastically so. The pandemic has taken its toll on older people’s mental health. Older people with pre-existing mental health conditions have seen an increase in the severity of their symptoms, while others are struggling for the first time. Clubs, activities, and volunteering, which older people previously were involved with have been put on hold, while friends and family have needed to stay away, leaving many older people feeling lonely and isolated. Critically, older people from more disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds have been more severely affected, both mentally and physically. (Edited publisher abstract)