Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Age UK loneliness heat map
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Place of publication:
- London
Interactive heat map which shows the relative risk of loneliness for older people (aged 65+) across 32,844 neighbourhoods within local authority areas in England. The relative risk of loneliness has been calculated based on the Census 2011 figures for the factors: marital status, self-reported health status, age and household size. It can be used alongside local knowledge and an understanding of local neighbourhoods to help improve the allocation of limited resources to reduce loneliness across a geographic area and help understand whether existing services are reaching areas of need. (Edited publisher abstract)
All the lonely people: loneliness in later life
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 13
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents evidence about what Age UK know about loneliness amongst people aged 50 and over, what increases the chances of people experiencing loneliness and how best to help those older people who are persistently lonely. It focuses on the need for approaches to reducing loneliness to be tailored to the circumstances of the individual. The analysis shows that the risk of being often lonely is higher among those people who are widowed or who do not have someone to open up to. It also found that the risk of loneliness does vary because of age, although the risk factors may be different. Whilst social activities are an essential component of successful approaches to tackling loneliness, for many people activities are only effective when complemented by emotional and practical support to access them. This requires personalised support and neighbourhoods which encourage and facilitate people to participate in their communities. It concludes that the importance of good quality care, transport and other public amenities to achieve this means a genuinely cross-government approach is essential. (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)
Loneliness and isolation: evidence review
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Loneliness and isolation are not the same. The causes of loneliness are not just physical isolation and lack of companionship, but also sometimes the lack of a useful role in society. Estimates of prevalence of loneliness tend to concentrate on the older population and they vary widely, with reputable research coming up with figures of 6%-13% of the UK population being described as often or always lonely. This evidence review has been produced in order to provide evidence to underpin decision-making for people involved in commissioning, service development, fundraising and influencing. It discusses: the policy context; what is known about loneliness and isolation in older people; and what has been done (including one-to-one services, group services, and community involvement) and how effective they were. The key messages from the evidence are listed.
Effectiveness of day services: summary of research evidence
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 29p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing updates the research evidence on the effectiveness of day services featured in the publication 'Day services for older people. Quality and effectiveness: a resource for providers and commissioners' (2008). After outlining the range of services and activities covered by the term ‘day services’, the briefing summarises the key points and outlines the methodology used for the review. The review which involved literature searches on a number of databases, journal archives, websites in July and August 2011. These searches supplement the original literature search which was carried out in December 2007. The findings and summaries of research evidence are then presented, listing each report in turn. Due to the lack of evidence focusing on day services, research is also included on activities to reduce isolation and loneliness. The few studies that specifically evaluated the impact of day services found that older people and their carers benefitted from them. The review also identified the different types of day services that can address older people’s need for social contact, exercise, to engage in and make contributions to society.
Same as it ever was: ‘Life during the pandemic was no different to normal… I’m always lonely’: loneliness and Covid-19
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing provides an overview of drivers of, and solutions to, loneliness. Loneliness is very personal, and circumstances will affect people differently but there are some key drivers of loneliness that we can identify: Covid-19 – the pandemic and the associated lockdowns created a new wave of lonely older people, who had previously been managing to avoid loneliness by keeping active and socialising, opportunities which were then taken away during the pandemic; poor health and wellbeing – difficulties with physical and mental health can reduce older people’s ability to participate in community activities; bereavement; income; and digital exclusion. Solutions to tackle loneliness include: social prescribing; volunteers; voluntary sector access to sustainable funding; digital inclusion; transport and access to services. (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)
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)
Estimating need in older people: findings for England
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- London
This report estimates the numbers of older people living with ill health, poverty, unmet needs for care and support, loneliness, social isolation and poor housing in England. It also collates findings from qualitative studies to provide insights from older people’s own voices about the experience of living with these different needs. The report estimates that there are up to 5.9 million people aged 65 and over living with need. Analysis of the qualitative studies found the main areas of struggle in life for older people are ill health with associated disability and restricted mobility, lack of help with everyday activities, money, problems associated with home and housing, loneliness and social isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Briefing: human rights of older persons and their comprehensive care
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 9
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing provides an analysis of current evidence and policy documents around the human rights of older people and their care. The paper looks in particular at: age discrimination and ageism; the quality of social care; domestic abuse; loneliness and isolation; housing; and employment. The briefing sets out a number of recommendations, including: a national accreditation scheme should be considered for training providers who wish to offer Care Certificate training; minimum standards for supervision of care workers should be set out in regulations; the quality of training provision for social care staff should be mapped against regulated service ratings; care providers should invest in supporting the leadership development of management staff; a much broader range of affordable housing options should be available for older people; much quicker access to home adaptations to promote independence; tackling poor conditions and delivering decent homes; and integrating housing with health and social care. The paper reiterates Age UK’s position regarding the human rights of older people stating that it is supportive of further international agreements which will improve protection of the rights of older people. It argues that a new international convention on the rights of older people would transform debates about how to respond to global ageing and articulate the rights which every older person holds that would enable them to continue contributing to society across their lifetimes. (Edited publisher abstract)