Session that highlights key principles for health and social care practice that have been shown to enhance older people’s independence and social connectedness. People with more social connections are likely to experience better health and wellbeing and to remain independent for longer. A key aspect of prevention for older people is, therefore, enhancing community connections. Contributed by: IRISS and Irene Weeden, Development Officer for Moray Council.
4. 4
10% of over 65s are
lonely
Victor C (2011) Loneliness in old age: the UK perspective. Safeguarding the
convoy: a call to action from the Campaign to End Loneliness, Oxfordshire:Age
UK
5. 5
50% of over 80s are
lonely
Age UK (2010) Loneliness and isolation evidence review, London: Age UK
13. Find out more
• Iriss Insight -
http://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/preventing-loneliness-
• Plan P blog: http://blogs.iriss.org.uk/planp/
• IRISS FM episode - What does prevention mean in an
ageing population:
http://irissfm.iriss.org.uk/episode/068
www.iriss.org.uk
Notes de l'éditeur
I am VM etc
Joined by Irene Weeden etc
This session is about enhancing community connections for older people
I am going to start by telling you about some of the work we’ve been doing at IRISS around preventing social isolation and loneliness in older people
And then I’ll hand over to Irene who will describe some of her work with older people in Moray
Then we will have the opportunity for some discussion, for you to share your own experience. We hope that we will all be able to learn from each other and leave this session with some new ideas.
So, enhancing community connections why do we want to do this – one of the reasons to to address…
What are the issues around loneliness and social isolation for older people
This is a common problem
There are lots of reasons why…
Older people may be widowed after many years of partnership, may lose sight or hearing or physical ability to get out in the community, may become a carer and not be able to leave the cared for person, may find themselves moved to a care home away from their own community, may lose confidence, may develop dementia, for BME groups may begin to lose english language
There are strong links with poorer physical and mental health and well being for people who are lonely and isolated.
Associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stress, poor sleep, depression – increased mortality
This may be linked to increased levels of alcohol or tobacco use, poor eating habits, lack of exercise
Although infact loneliness and social isolation has a greater effect on mortality than any of these behaviours
Or image of a cigarette or of people smoking
The detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation have been compared with the smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
As well as being not what we want for our society, our own families or for ourselves, it also represents a cost in terms of increased health care needs and admission to hospital or residential care.
So what are going to do about it?
What does prevention mean on this context?
The traditional approach has been to wait until things go horribly wrong and then call in services and support try and put it right
Prevention in this context means looking at building resilience so that people are less likely to become lonely and isolated in the first place
Who needs to be involved –not just services any more - the community and older people themselves are a significant part of the solution – asset based approach
People must work together – co-production
Raising awareness – building strong and resilient and connected communities
Universal prevention
Our review of evidence suggests that flexible support based within the community and involving older people, particularly in group activities is most effective
Which brings us back to enhancing community connections
Iriss project in partnership running over 2.5 years
Aims to improve understanding about what prevention means
Try out new ideas
Build on evidence
Involve everyone
Make a difference