Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Carers and physical activity: a study of the barriers, motivations and experiences of unpaid carers aged 55 and over in England
- Author:
- CARERS UK
- Publisher:
- Carers UK
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 32
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at ways to support carers over the age of 55 in England to take part in more physical activity, to both reduce loneliness and improve their wellbeing. The research examines the barriers for carers in being active, and shares best practice examples and recommendations to make physical activity more accessible to reduce the health inequalities carers face. This mixed methods research project included a quantitative phase consisting of analysis of over 2,000 responses to the State of Caring 2019 survey as well as a qualitative phase including focus groups and interviews with 37 participants. This was followed by a pilot project, testing the ideas from the research with 27 participants. Key findings include: carers aged over 55 are less active than other adults aged over 55; three quarters (76%) of carers aged over 55 do not feel that they are able to do as much physical exercise as they’d like to do; carers are more likely to be inactive (46% of carers compared with 33% of all adults); carers are much less likely to be active (14% of carers compared with 54% of all adults); carers are much less likely to be active. The biggest barriers to physical activity are: not having the time to take part in physical activity (88%); not being motivated (71%); not being able to afford the costs (67%); not having anyone to go with (59%). For active carers, a pattern of being active leads to an increase in life satisfaction, happiness, feelings of worthwhile; and to a decrease in anxiety. (Edited publisher abstract)
Insights into loneliness, older people and wellbeing, 2015
- Author:
- THOMAS Jennifer
- Publisher:
- Office for National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- Newport
This article focuses on older people's well-being, loneliness and some of the risk factors associated with loneliness such as living alone, housing tenure, marital status, ill health and support networks. The ONS Measuring National Well-being programme aims to produce accepted and trusted measures of the well-being of the nation - how the UK as a whole is doing. This analysis shows that older people are more satisfied with life generally and with their social networks and the support they provide. This may be due to having lower expectations due to a cohort effect or more mature perspectives but ultimately they are more content than their younger counterparts. However, the impact of loneliness on well-being is considerable, especially for the oldest old who are most likely to feel lonely and are subject to a high number of risk factors. The paper argues that the UK needs to consider how to minimise some of the impact that risk factors of loneliness has, particularly bereavement, poor health, and housing tenure. (Edited publisher abstract)
The wellbeing of the elderly: approaches to multidimensional assessment
- Author:
- FILLENBAUM Gerda G
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 1985
- Pagination:
- 99p., tables, diags., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Three score years...and then?: a study of the nutrition and wellbeing of elderly people at home
- Author:
- DAVIES Louise
- Publisher:
- Heinemann
- Publication year:
- 1981
- Pagination:
- 236p., tables, illus., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Older people's dance activities: the first UK survey
- Author:
- PEOPLE DANCING
- Publisher:
- People Dancing
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- Leicester
This research, co-commissioned by Aesop, presents the findings of an online survey of current practice in older people’s dance and draws on views of those working in the field to identify the characteristics that contribute to successful dance initiatives. It provides evidence about the contribution that dance can make to the health and wellbeing of older people and also provides information to support community dance artists in the delivery of their work with older people. The research analysed data from 173 projects across the UK and carried out additional interviews with eight of the survey participants. The analysis looks at where the groups are located, how they are organised, who takes part, the main reasons for setting up the groups, and the challenges faced by those organising group activities. The results found health and wellbeing was the most commonly cited purpose for setting up a group, closely followed by recreational dancing. Social and community aspects of groups were also seen by organisers as important elements of their work. Over half of respondents delivered activities in partnership with others, such as older adult-specific organisations. Those professionals developing dance opportunities with allied health professionals highlighted the importance of having champions within health to promote the benefits of dance within their organisations. The report identifies a number of areas for further development to help support artists working in older people's dance. (Edited publisher abstract)
Wellbeing indicators for older people
- Author:
- OLDER PEOPLE'S COMMISSIONER FOR WALES
- Publisher:
- Older People's Commissioner for Wales
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 37
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Sets out the importance of accurately measuring the wellbeing of older people in Wales and identifies wellbeing goals which public authorities should aim to achieve. The paper defines what is meant by the concept of wellbeing, which includes both feeling good and functioning well; examines how the wellbeing of older people is currently measured in Wales, and identifies key issues impacting older people's wellbeing identified by the Commissioner for Older People in Wales. It then looks at the indicators that should be measured in the following key areas: housing; care; poverty; health; transport; learning; employment and technology; loneliness and social isolation; dementia. Specific information is also included on measuring the wellbeing of older people who are over the age of 85, the 'oldest old'. (Edited publisher abstract)
The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the first in a two part series summarising UCL research and exploring the policy implications of the work, focuses on social relationships and subjective wellbeing. It highlights that the loneliest and most socially isolated individuals have consistently lower levels of subjective wellbeing than older people who are more socially connected. Both the size of an individual's social network and their frequency of contact with that network are positively associated with wellbeing over 6 years of follow up. While older people begin to see a rise in their wellbeing in later life, those who are socially isolated do not. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how a rapidly ageing population could potentially lead to greater numbers of lonely and socially isolated older people if nothing is done to address this issue. It then explores the policy implications of the research, showing that while social isolation and loneliness among older people have been rising up the policy agenda in recent years, the true extent of the loneliness problem is not currently fully known as the government only measures loneliness among those in care or caring for others. (Edited publisher abstract)
How older people define wellbeing: a synthesis of the evidence
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 51
- Place of publication:
- London
This literature review investigates what is known about how older people define wellbeing. The literature search found 47 relevant papers. Nine papers were analysed further as they met the selection criteria and examined wellbeing based on the perspective of older people. The analysis focused on their methodology, findings and conclusions. Only one paper offered a credible, meaningful definition of wellbeing. Factors identified that older people felt promoted wellbeing included, social relationships, social capital, keeping active, capability, sufficient personal finances, quality and deliver of care, independence and choice. Barriers identified included retirement when it results in a loss of status or worth, adverse life events, loss of capability, lack of family support and limited resources. The review found a small number of formal studies, which varied widely in their sampling, methodology and levels of data analysis. Despite the differences in the studies, there were similarities in the findings. (Original abstract)
The relationship between mental wellbeing and financial management among older people: an analysis using the third wave of Understanding Society
- Authors:
- HAYES David, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. Personal Finance Research Centre, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
This new analysis shows statistically significant relationships between age and both increased levels of mental wellbeing and people reporting they are managing their financial situation more comfortably. It corroborates previous research (C Fitch et al, in Mental Health Review Journal, 2011) suggesting that one in four people with mental health problems are in debt, while one in two people in debt have a mental health problem. This analysis also suggests that after controlling for a range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics, older people who are struggling to manage their finances have eight times the odds of having reduced levels of mental wellbeing. Fitch et al suggested that debt may be both a cause and consequence of mental health problems. This work supports the assertion that poor mental health is exacerbated by financial problems and, though questions of causality remain, indicates that mental wellbeing and financial management are inextricably intertwined. This working paper is published by the Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC) at the University of Bristol and the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK). The research has been produced as part of the ILC-UK and PFRC project on “financial wellbeing in older age” funded by the ESRC’s Secondary Data Analysis Initiative. It looks at the relationship between mental wellbeing and self-reported financial management among those aged 50 and over in the United Kingdom.1 These findings are drawn from the third wave (2011) of Understanding Society, a large social survey begun in 2009, which captures information on the social and economic circumstances, attitudes, and health, of the inhabitants of 40,000 households each year. This paper begins by examining how mental wellbeing among the over-50s varies with increasing age. It looks at self-reported financial management among the same age group, and explores the relationship between mental wellbeing and how well people feel they are managing their household’s financial situation. Finally, the researchers use regression analysis to assess the independent predictors of mental wellbeing; and the findings suggest a strong relationship between mental wellbeing and financial management. (Edited publisher abstract)
Wales: a good place to grow old?
- Authors:
- BEVAN FOUNDATION, AGE ALLIANCE WALES
- Publisher:
- Age Alliance Wales
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
In Wales, more than half a million people are aged over 65, nearly one in five of the population; and for the first time, in 2010, there were more older people than children under 16. This report calls for public bodies in Wales to take action to support and promote the independence of older people, through a mixture of appropriate social care services, financial inclusion and ability to travel. It cites key indicators from Welsh Government and other statistcal sources to support its argument. The report includes case studies of individuals who have experienced good quality care or have come into contact with people and organisations that have helped them be less isolated and contributed to their independence, well-being or quality of life. (Original abstract)