Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 8 of 8
The high cost of isolation
- Author:
- OWEN Tom
- Journal article citation:
- Care Plan, 7(3), March 2001, pp.15-18.
- Publisher:
- Positive Publications/ Anglia Polytechnic University, Faculty of Health and Social Work
A Mori survey for Help the Aged has shown that nearly a million older people feel isolated and lonely. This article urges local and national government to take the problem seriously if only to avoid the high-cost consequences.
Opportunity age indicators: 2008 update
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Work and Pensions. Older People and Ageing Society Division
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 137p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Opportunity Age was published in 2005 with the aim to end perception of older people as dependent; ensure that longer life is healthy and fulfilling; and that older people are full participants in society. Thirty three indicators were used to monitor older people's well-being and independence with the aim of measuring improvements in overall quality of life. This document provides an overall summary of the results and discussion of the latest data and trends. Findings are discussed under the following headings: independence in supportive communities; healthy active living; fairness in work and later life; material well-being; support and care.
Older people 'getting things done': involvement in policy and planning initiatives
- Authors:
- REED Jan, et al
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 175p.
- Place of publication:
- York
This study reports on how and why older people became involved in policy and planning initiatives. The involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services is high on the policy agenda for many organisations. Using five different case studies this report maps out the ways in which older people got involved, offering ideas for other organisations and for older people themselves. The report explores the key issues that need to be considered, as well as drawing out good practice from the schemes studied. The schemes include: a group which set up care services for older people; a Citizen's jury which developed policy for older people; a project to meet the diverse needs of older people in one locality; a scheme to provide accessible repair and maintenance services and an initiative to design a house for older people. The report presents a number of indicators for involvement, including the factors, processes and infrastructure that need to be in place, to guide anyone wishing to involve older people in service planning and policy.
Minimum income for healthy living: older people
- Authors:
- MORRIS Jenny, et al
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 58p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Research by the London School of tropical Hygiene and Medicine found people over 65 are not spending enough money each week on food and have worryingly low levels of exercise. It concluded pensioner poverty is leaving people at risk of falls, heart disease and is destroying their independence. Only 17% of people over 60 said they keep fit and up to 30% of 65-74 year-old men and women of the same age are obese. The report identified diet and nutrition, physical activity, housing, health care and social life as the vital elements needed for older people’s well-being. It calculated the weekly cost meeting these is £32.20 a week. Inadequate income clearly has a major impact on the health of the nation’s people in later life, but urgent action to tackle barriers, such as poor health awareness and access to health and leisure facilities, is also needed. The report called on local authorities to provide accessible and affordable leisure activities close to where older people live and to involve older people in planning new services to ensure their health needs are taken into account.
Social fund use amongst older people
- Authors:
- KEMPSON Elaine, COLLARD Sharon, TAYLOR Sally
- Publisher:
- Corporate Document Services; Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 96p.
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
The Social Fund has an important part to play in tackling pensioner poverty but, to date, take-up among older people is far lower than it is among other eligible groups. The report explores living standards among older people receiving Minimum Income Guarantee; the extent and levels of saving and borrowing; past and current needs that could have been met through the Social Fund; knowledge of, and attitudes to, the Social Fund; and the use made of the Social Fund by older people. It concludes by examining ways of increasing Social Fund take-up among older people.
Direct payments: creating a two-tiered system in social care?
- Authors:
- LEECE David, LEECE Janet
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 36(8), December 2006, pp.1379-1393.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
In 2003, the UK government placed a mandatory responsibility on local authorities to offer direct payments to eligible people. This article briefly explains the background to direct payments and details relevant literature. It then discusses the methodology and findings from a unique study, which looks at the financial characteristics of a group of direct payment users in the Midlands and compares them with a group of people using traditional services. The study test for statistically significant differences in the value of financial variables between the two groups to determine whether the direct payment group has greater income and financial wealth than people not accessing direct payments. The statistical analysis revealed that direct payment users in this sample are younger, more disabled individuals with higher levels of benefit income, which reflects their disability. The article considers the implications for social work practice and policy.
Talking about childcare: conversations with parents and children from low-income families
- Author:
- DAYCARE TRUST
- Publisher:
- Daycare Trust
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report is the result of conversations with parents and children around the country. Government funding is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas of the country and many families in disadvantaged circumstances outside the targeted areas are struggling to access affordable childcare services that would allow them to return to work. For parents of older children, after school and holiday provision is particularly needed. A typical nursery place for a child under two costs almost £7000 a year and there is currently only one registered childcare place for every four children under eight nationally. Many families find it very difficult to get information about their childcare options. They don’t know where to find out about locally available childcare services. Nationally only 3% of parents have heard of their local Children’s Information Service. Parents say that childcare services need to better represent their communities. They want to see more men in childcare, more carers from black and minority ethnic communities, as well as a wider age range amongst carers. Many parents with disabled children feel there is a lack of understanding of the needs of children with disabilities and special needs. The report recommends: a move away from area-based initiatives towards universal provision of childcare. Children’s centres in every community can take this forward; recruitment campaigns that target under-represented groups within the childcare workforce, including men, older workers and people from black and minority ethnic communities, to encourage them to consider caring for children as a profession; and a national marketing campaign to raise awareness of Children’s Information Services among parents, as well as funding for local Children’s Information Services to work with community groups and to reach parents who do not access mainstream services.
The Human Rights Act: what are the implications for older people?; a Help the Aged seminar at Westminster on 13th September 2000
- Author:
- HELP THE AGED
- Publisher:
- Help the Aged
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 14p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Describes a Help the Aged seminar held at Westminster on the thirteenth of September, 2000. Delegates agreed on the need for a greater awareness of the provisions of the Human Rights Act, and extensive training with specific guidelines for those working with older people. Topics addressed included; key concepts; implications of the Act; how the Act can help in practical situations; the role of Help the Aged.