OLDER PEOPLE
Overall Purpose
The Older Peoples Thematic Group brings together individuals and organisations to work together in a collaborative way to address the challenges and opportunities for Older People. It will review the research, statistics and available material to outline the current issues and challenges facing older people generally and in the County.
In particular, it will:
Review emerging, trends, patterns and key insights
Work as a group to agree suitable key priorities and thematic goals.
Represent those priorities and goals to funders and stakeholders.
Identify ways to support each other and promote sector sustainability.
Key Priorities
There is a very ‘competitive’ environment for raising unrestricted funding. There is widespread concern over the economy and personal finances. There are several current issues for older people:
The growing number of complex cases being seen by befriending, SPLWs and other charitable support illustrates the ‘pent up’ issues of loneliness and mental health and loss of independence.
The backlog of health treatment that has resulted in many not receiving timely treatment leading to the build up of more serious health issues.
The general difficulty in accessing health services for older people currently, together with the increasing digitisation of that interface.
The essential aspect of transport as a ‘limiting’ factor (not enough) which constrains older people from accessing services and maintaining independence.
For many families including older people, this is resulting in a ‘perfect storm’ where they are constrained due to increased prices, reduced spending power and more challenges – leading to a lack of opportunity and reduced independence.
Organisations supporting older people are currently facing staff shortages, the loss of volunteers and inflation. There is an increased need for sustainability of funding over the medium and longer term to allow organisations to plan and organise and not to ‘live hand to mouth’.
Recent Highlights
The Older Peoples Thematic group is finalising our report which reviews the research and statistics available in relation to the challenges faced by older people in the County.
The report consulted with key decision makers and compiled information from most of the members of the Group who have participated actively in its formation.
This Older Peoples Thematic group (VCSE Assembly) review is based on current members input and information from a number of sources. It looks at identifying areas of focus for the Older Peoples Thematic group (OPTG) and how these may align with the Integrated Care System.
We are now looking at the best ways of disseminating the report and raising its profile across the ICB and statutory bodies.
Forward Agenda
The report highlights 3 areas that are around solutions that activate and enable the capacity of the community sector, the community and people themselves.
1. Community – active communities and networks, building community networks of activities, interests and events, locally based with access for all whether they have health issues or not.
2. Prevention, messages and communications for all older people to support prevention, care and management of health conditions. With a specific focus on 50+ to influence health, get active, prepare for retirement, future health issues and potentially being a carer.
3. Support and services - for people with health and long-term conditions and their carers
A facilitating challenge:
4. Transport to enable people to get to appointments for health, exercise classes and activities.
And to ensure good alignment with the Integrated Care System and communities:
5. LAPs, engage with each area LAP(Local Area Partnership) to support them with data, knowledge of services and delivery, and in developing options to deliver support to our communities
Links
Agenda and minutes of meetings - link
Membership of the Thematic Group - link
If you would like further information regarding this group, please do feel free to email the contacts below: