Voices on well-beingJennie Fleming

• What does the term ‘well-being’ mean to you? How does well-being feel?

• How do you achieve well-being?

• What are the barriers?

• What role do services play?

• What can be done to improve well-being in older people?

Our questions

A participative approach

• Open questions, exploring, probing, encouraging discussion; looking for meaning and explanation

• A diverse range of older people UK-wide

• 163 older people:o 16 focus groups

o 30 individual or paired interviews

• Phase 1 of Shaping our Age

Definitions of Well-being

• Feeling physically healthy – free from pain

• Having get up and go

• Able to do what you want to do

• Feeling of independence

• Feeling well – mentally / emotionally … … happy, content, satisfaction, peace of mind, comfort, warmth,

enjoyment

• Self-worth, achievement

Number 1 Cause of Well-beingRelationships and social contacts …

•Family and friends, community groups and clubso Fun, enjoyment, support, safe and secure,

belonging, feeling valuedo Coping with illness and other difficultieso Structure and ‘something to look

forward to’o Volunteering and helping others

• Meeting people, feeling useful, self esteem

Main Barrier – Loneliness, feeling isolated

Some causes:

Illness; physical impairments; bereavement; language barriers; fragmented families; poor community support; inadequate services; de-personalised services; living alone; inability to leave the home without support

Can lead to:

Anxiety, depression, worsening physical health

Impact of Services on Well-being

Positive• Health services: GPs,

good hospital treatment, chiropodists, occupational therapists

• Local authorities: housing, libraries, leisure

• Transport: Concessionary fares, community transport

• Voluntary sector: e.g. social and day clubs

Negative• Public services: negative attitudes -

lack of respect, empathy, listening, compassion

• Issues: o Hospital treatment / hygiene o GP appointment systemso Disability awareness o Information provisiono Cuts in public expenditure

• Libraries, post offices, community centres, clubs, public transport, concessionary fares

What needs to change?

“We need to look at ways and means where we can do things ourselves”

Help and support from others:

• Involvement

• Respect and equality

• Practical help

• Support in times of particular need

• Relevant and accessible information

• Intergenerational initiatives

Shaping our Age: What’s next?

Phase 1: National consultation on well-being with older people

Phase 2: Defining well-being and the selection of five WRVS services to participate in the action projects

Phase 3: Local activities in the five local sites

Phase 4: Learning, dissemination and action

Thank you for listening

Questions?

Full and summary report available to download after 4th Nov at

www.wrvs.org.uk/shapingourage

shapingourage.com

Martin Hoban and Vicki James