Older People's Health

Key Facts

The number and proportion of older people in the population is increasing nationally.
The population of Staffordshire is following this national trend. By 2021 the under 16 population is likely to drop by about 16%, whereas the over 60's will increase by approximately 27%. This means that both public and private sector services need to plan for these changes in the make-up of the population.
According to the 2004 estimates, the 50 year old and over population makes up about a third of the total population in Staffordshire. The districts with an above average proportion of older people are Lichfield (38.8%), South Staffordshire (39.3%), Stafford (38.3%) and Staffordshire Moorlands (40.5%).
The frequency of ill health increases with age but chronological age is a poor indicator of function. The view of illness as an inevitable companion of older age is false and damaging, and older people are sometimes not offered health promotion measures such as blood pressure and cholesterol reducing drugs on the false grounds that they will not benefit them.
Each winter in the West Midlands, there are over 3000 excess deaths in older people which could be avoided. Preventative measures include warmer houses, flu vaccinations and increased benefit uptakes.
Poverty affects nearly half of people aged 60 and over in deprived urban neighbourhoods
Older people are disproportionately vulnerable to serious crime
A significant minority of older people could be described as being socially isolated and/or severely lonely
Many older people could be considered as excluded from involvement in formal social relationships and civic activities within their communities

Health Inequalities In Staffordshire

Inequalities are relevant to older people both because as a group they sometimes suffer discrimination and also because within the group inequalities are very obvious.

Life expectancy in older age varies widely between places and is a key indicator of health inequalities and socio-economic disadvantage in an area. Whilst there has been an increase in life expectancy in Britain and Staffordshire overall, the gap in life expectancy between certain areas is increasing, indicating an increasing inequality.
Areas in Staffordshire with life expectancy below the Staffordshire average of 78.5 include electoral wards in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Lichfield, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire
The income of older people varies widely. A reliable and adequate supply of income, and having control over spend, are crucial for independence. Older People living on a low income can be at risk of social exclusion, especially when linked to poorer levels of general health and decreased mobility. In Staffordshire, the most deprived areas of income deprivation affecting older people, are super-output areas in Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Newcastle under Lyme
Limiting long term illness is defined as the proportion of adults who report having one or more chronic conditions which limits activities. This is strongly linked to increased age, poverty and unemployment. In Staffordshire there are districts which stand out as having above the national (36.7%) and sub-regional (36.6%) average proportions of reported LLTI, these are Cannock Chase (43.6%), Newcastle-under Lyme- (41.6%), Staffordshire Moorlands (37.3%) and Tamworth (38.2%).
During 1999-2003, PCTs in Staffordshire with higher than average excess winter death rates for the region included East Staffordshire and Cannock Chase.
In 2004, Flu vaccination uptake rates in people aged 65 years and over varied considerably by Primary Care Trust across the region. Particularly poor uptake rates were in Newcastle under Lyme (64%), Staffordshire Moorlands (66%).

For more local information on Older People's health and independence needs see:

Profile of Older People in Staffordshire

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Jan 08

Older People Fact Sheet

National and Local Strategies and Targets

The Choosing Health White Paper endorsed the need to improve the health and quality of life for older people. The national PSA target was set as a shift towards preventative services to improve older people's health, wellbeing and independence:

"Improve the quality of life and independence of vulnerable older people by supporting them to live in their own homes where possible by increasing the proportion of older people being supported to live in their own home by 1% annually in 2007 and increasing by 2008 the proportion of those supported intensively to live at home to 34% of the total of those being supported at home or in residential care". Department of Health 2004.

More recently, the White Paper, 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say - a new direction for community services, 2006' responds to the demographic changes in society and sets out a change to social and health services to focus on preventative services with key themes focussing on:

Prevention
Promoting independence, health and well-being
Support for carers
Delivery of care in local settings
Deliver services that are flexible, integrated and responsive to peoples' needs

The Ageing with Opportunity Strategy for Staffordshire focuses on the range of activities carried out by the County Council and partners and its overall aim is to:

"wherever possible, older people will have control over their lives, live safely and healthily, have an active role in the community, and access the support they need to be independent as they choose"

Clink on the link to access the Department of Health's "Choosing Health" white paper

Clink on the link below to access the Department of Health's , "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" white paper

What Works in Reducing Health Inequalities and improving health of Older People?

There are several measures which could be taken to reduce health inequalities in older age. Many of which should seek to reduce the environmental and social conditions which exacerbate illness in older people.

The Home: Improved, safe, warm housing
Income: Increase of income and maximising benefits uptake. Tackling barriers to the take-up of benefits such as complex applications forms
Social Relations and Participation: Promote social networks to reduce isolation and loneliness
Making a positive contribution, community involvement and volunteering
The local area: reduce crime, improved public transport, local access to basic amenities such as health care, shops, post offices
Wider Society: promote positive ageing and de-stigmatise ageing, creating positive images of older people

A number of recent documents describe the rationale for improving the health of older people and effective approaches to improve older people's health and increase their independence

Sure Start to Later Life PDF

PDF icon Age Concern Preventative Services PDF

Department of Health's Older People's Web pages

www.ageconcern.org.uk

www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk

Be Active in Later Life

Staying active as you get older can improve your health and quality of life. Just 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five times a week can make a vital difference. Best of all, you can get your 30 minutes through simple, everyday activities.

Visit the British Heart Foundation website for more information on their '30 a day' campaign and how you can stay active.

British Heart Foundation

Local Services

To find your local Age Concern office, click on the link below

Directory of Age Concern in Staffordshire

Last Modified: 20/11/2008 16:44:16
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