SA2: Living In a Changing SA2: Living In a Changing SocietySociety

The ElderlyThe Elderly

Who Are the ElderlyWho Are the Elderly??

AimsAims::

• Define the term ‘elderly’Define the term ‘elderly’• Identify common images of elderly Identify common images of elderly

peoplepeople

The Elderly

Key TermsKey Terms

The ElderlyThe Elderly

Those aged 65 years and over who Those aged 65 years and over who have have

reached the official retirement age.reached the official retirement age.

StereotypeStereotype

When people have a fixed image of a When people have a fixed image of a

group of people. group of people.

Elderly People in the UKElderly People in the UK

AimsAims::

** Examine the growth of the Examine the growth of the elderly population in the UK.elderly population in the UK.

The Needs of the ElderlyThe Needs of the Elderly

Aims:Aims:

** Elderly people have four main types Elderly people have four main types of need – physical, housing, of need – physical, housing, emotional and financial.emotional and financial.

The Needs of the ElderlyThe Needs of the Elderly

Physical needsPhysical needs – problems connected the – problems connected the

quality of peoples’ health.quality of peoples’ health.

Financial needsFinancial needs – not have enough money – not have enough money

to meet basic needs.to meet basic needs.

Emotional needsEmotional needs – not having enough – not having enough

contact or support from other people.contact or support from other people.

Housing needsHousing needs – your home is unsuitable – your home is unsuitable

for you to live in.for you to live in.

The Needs of the ElderlyThe Needs of the Elderly

Physical NeedsPhysical Needs Emotional Emotional NeedsNeeds

Financial NeedsFinancial Needs Housing NeedsHousing Needs

Housing Needs of the Housing Needs of the ElderlyElderly

Aims:

• To identify why housing can be a problem for the elderly.

• To identify the different types of housing for elderly people

Sheltered HousingSheltered Housing

Examples in the Oban area:

• Dunmar Court• Lynn Court• McCallum Court• Ford Spence Court

Sheltered HousingSheltered Housing

Physical Needs:

• Flats or Bungalows (one level)• Lifts• Handrails in homes/corridors• Lower plugs/switches

Sheltered HousingSheltered Housing

Emotional Needs:

• Warden• Intercom in each home• Residents’ Lounge• Pullcord alarm• Personal alarms• Visitor’s bedroom• Social events

Sheltered HousingSheltered Housing

Financial Needs:

• Laundry Facilities• Common TV licence• Heating included in rent

Housing For the ElderlyHousing For the Elderly

Remember that sheltered/very sheltered Remember that sheltered/very sheltered

housing, nursing or residential homes housing, nursing or residential homes can can

be provided by:be provided by:

• Local authority (council)Local authority (council)• Private organisations/companiesPrivate organisations/companies• A voluntary organisation (charity)A voluntary organisation (charity)

Recent Criticisms of Privately Recent Criticisms of Privately Run Nursing/Residential HomesRun Nursing/Residential Homes

Put profit before patient carePut profit before patient care

Not enough checks in placeNot enough checks in place

Some owners have skimped on food, Some owners have skimped on food, heating etc.heating etc.

Not enough staff employed or poorly Not enough staff employed or poorly qualified staff.qualified staff.

Patients given tranquiliser drugsPatients given tranquiliser drugs

to make them more ‘manageable’.to make them more ‘manageable’.

The Physical Needs of the The Physical Needs of the ElderlyElderly

AimsAims::

• To identify the common physical To identify the common physical problems facing the elderly.problems facing the elderly.

• To identify how these physical needs To identify how these physical needs can be met.can be met.

Physical Needs of the Elderly

Poor HearingPoor

Eyesight

Senile Dementia

MobilityLong-term illness e.g diabetes

Primary Health CarePrimary Health Care

• Primary Care is treatment provided Primary Care is treatment provided outwith hospitals e.g .doctor’s surgery or outwith hospitals e.g .doctor’s surgery or health centre.health centre.

• A range of medical professionals are A range of medical professionals are available to treat the elderly e.g. available to treat the elderly e.g. Doctors/GPs, Practice Nurses, Doctors/GPs, Practice Nurses, Physiotherapists, Chiropodists.Physiotherapists, Chiropodists.

• In rural areas the local doctors’ surgeries In rural areas the local doctors’ surgeries and hospital often work together to and hospital often work together to provide these services. provide these services.

Care in the CommunityCare in the Community

Aims:Aims:

• The overall purpose of Care in the The overall purpose of Care in the Community.Community.

• The range of support which can be The range of support which can be provided for the elderly.provided for the elderly.

Care in the CommunityCare in the Community

In the past elderly people who had In the past elderly people who had difficulty looking after themselves were difficulty looking after themselves were put in a residential home, a nursing home put in a residential home, a nursing home or a geriatric hospital.or a geriatric hospital.

Today the elderly are encouraged to stay Today the elderly are encouraged to stay in their own homes as long as possible in their own homes as long as possible with the support of a number of services. with the support of a number of services. This is called This is called CARE IN THE COMMUNITYCARE IN THE COMMUNITY..

Needs assessment is carried out by Social Needs assessment is carried out by Social Work Department and a care plan drawn Work Department and a care plan drawn up.up.

Care in the CommunityCare in the Community

The social work department will use The social work department will use different organisation to meet the different organisation to meet the needs of the elderly person e.g.needs of the elderly person e.g.** Local health centreLocal health centre** Housing departmentHousing department** Voluntary organisationsVoluntary organisations

Some people think that the Some people think that the government is just trying to save government is just trying to save money because it costs more money money because it costs more money to put an elderly person in a to put an elderly person in a residential/nursing home.residential/nursing home.

Care in the CommunityCare in the Community

Specialised Housing (see previous Specialised Housing (see previous note)note)

Day care centres/Lunch clubsDay care centres/Lunch clubs

Occupational therapistOccupational therapist

Community nurseCommunity nurse

Meals on wheelsMeals on wheels

Home helpsHome helps