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What we know
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| What we know | |||||||||||||||||
| We know that in most developed countries, people are living longer than before. Life expectancy in Northern Ireland has increased from 55.4 years for males and 56.1 years for females in 1925, to present day estimates of 75.4 and 80.4 respectively (NISRA). This means that the number of older people is increasing and forms an increasing percentage of the total population. Increasing life expectancy is sometimes described as 'adding years to life', however, quality of life is also important and it is vital to 'add life to years' by ensuring that people are free from disease, illness and disability for as long as possible. Although people are more likely to have health problems as they become older, many older people are well and can live independently. However, for those older people who do require support, changing patterns of family life such as smaller families, increased mobility and more women entering the workplace, means that there is often less informal family support for elderly relatives and a greater demand on health and social services. The wider determinants
of health have a particular impact on the lives of older people.
Older people may be living alone and feel isolated, socially excluded
or have difficulty in accessing services. Some may be living in
comparative poverty or in ill-suited housing. Both physical and
mental health can suffer. Hearing, vision, and balance often deteriorate
with age making people more prone to falls and accidents. People
may also require multiple medications for a range of health problems.
Some may have difficulty with their memory and become confused and
unable to care for themselves. Health care in old age must be multidisciplinary
and assess the older person as an individual, taking into account
all aspects of their life, including social circumstances and support. |
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| What information do we have about the Eastern Board area? | |||||||||||||||||
| In the 2001 census, there were 97,124 Eastern Board residents over 65 years of age, making up almost 15% of the total Eastern Board population. This can be divided into 8% aged between 65-74years, 5 % between 75 and 84 years and 2% aged over 85 years. These figures are set to increase over the next decades, as people live longer. The Eastern Board area has an older population
in comparison to other Health and Social Services Board areas. As
the Eastern Board also has the largest population, this means that
they have the greatest number of older people compared with other
Board areas. |
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| What is the result of this on our health locally? | |||||||||||||||||
As the number of older people in the community increases, the cost of health care also increases. In the Eastern Board the demand for health care for older people is greater because of the higher percentage of people in this age group. However, it is important to recognise that not all people over 65 are frail and require services. The National Service Framework for England and Wales describes three broad phases of ageing:
Although each person must be seen as an individual, these categories are useful when planning services in the future.
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| Policies | |||||||||||||||||
| Local and regional health strategies include the New Targeting Social Need (TSN) initiative. New TSN specifies that: 'Some groups have additional needs which, if not catered for, could place their most vulnerable members at risk due to social exclusion’.
The Department of Health’s National
Service Framework for Older People
was published on 27 March 2001. It sets new national standards and
service models of care across health and social services for all
older people, whether they live at home, in residential care or
are being looked after in hospital. While this framework does not
apply in Northern Ireland it is a relevant point of reference and
model of good practice. |
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| What is happening in the Eastern Board area? | |||||||||||||||||
| Work is currently underway to develop a Health and Social Services Strategy for Older Persons living in the Eastern Board area. This will look at issues such as:
Key questions to be addressed by the EHSSB strategy include:
Older people have wide experience of life and have much to offer the rest of society. Any strategy for older people must aim to promote fuller participation in society, recognise the contribution the older people have to make and promote their rights as citizens. |
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For further information on this topic please contact us at publichealth@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk Eastern Health and Social Services Board Champion
House, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS Telephone: (028)
9032 1313 Fax: (028) 9055 3681 Text Phone:(028) 9032 4980 Website:
www.ehssb.org
E-mail: pr@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk |
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