Towards Independence for Older People in Gwent

1. Towards Independence for Older People in Gwent David Murray Chief Executive Officer Age Concern Gwent

2. “The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating” John Schaar

3. Happily Independent

4. Why an Outcome Focus? • Action is propelled by the right drivers • Outcomes are owned by a wide range of people (services are often only owned by those involved in the service) • Much current activity is driven by service need rather than outcomes • Outcomes focus on the whole context of peoples’ lives

5. What Are Older People Saying? • If older people in Gwent are happily independent they will: • Be able to remain living in their own homes • Be safe and secure • Live in good quality homes • Be able to cook, wash, clean and go out • Be able to maintain their standards • Receive services in their home • Be financially stable to make independent choices

6. What Are Older People Saying? (cont) • Be receiving the benefits available • Be listened to by the people who are responsible for providing services • Not be lonely • Have a supportive family • Have friends and neighbours keeping an eye out for them • Have company • Be going out to social activities

7. What Are Older People Saying? (cont) • Have a plan for old age • Be in touch with other people in similar circumstances • Be able to keep a pet if they so wish • Have their health and social care problems solved quickly and considered in the whole context of their lives (Older Peoples’ Workshops, 2009)

8. Outcome Planning:Take-Up of Benefits By Older People • “Our pension does not even bring us up to the level of the lowest paid in the economy” • “With the rising cost of living and the cost of energy bills in particular my social life has borne the brunt of my cost-cutting. I feel more alone and more isolated now than I ever did. It particularly upsets me that I cannot visit my brother who lives in Nottingham. I simply cannot afford the fare. I last saw him in 1991.”

9. Outcome Planning:Older People Living in Good Quality Housing “Older people are no different to younger people in wanting choice over where and how we live our lives. Mostly we want to live in our own homes and maintain our standards but it gets harder as you get older to keep your home looking tidy. It depresses me when I look at the cobwebs which I cannot dust away any more, or the light bulb that I cannot replace. All it would take is a few moments of someone’s time and it would lift my spirits.”

10. Outcome Planning:Older People Receiving Home Care “I was recently admitted to hospital for a relatively minor procedure, but it did take me a while to recover. When I was discharged form hospital the nurse told me that Social Services would be in touch to help out with shopping and make sure I was alright. It took 3 days before Social Service help arrived; had it not been for a volunteer from a Charity I would have gone without food until they came.”

11. Outcome Planning:Older People Living Healthily “I have arthritis and I have noticed that it is becoming very painful and difficult for me to peel potatoes and carrots. I wish I could afford to buy those pre-prepared packs from the supermarket…….Mind you, they are so big that I would never manage to eat them all, and I cannot abide waste.”

12. Outcome Planning:Older People with Chronic Conditions Receiving Care in the Most Appropriate Environment “I have been living with a heart condition for some years now. Every now and again I get a funny turn, I find it hard to breathe and never know what is going to happen next. Not knowing makes me anxious and being anxious makes it hard for me to calm down which makes my condition worse. I wish I knew what my GP or Consultant expect me to do when I get these turns or what I could do to reduce the number of turns I have. I always end up being rushed to hospital and admitted for a few days until my condition stabilises. You have no idea how difficult it is to pick up the pieces each time I return home.”

13. Outcome Planning:People in Gwent and Falls “I needed to get up during the night to use the bathroom, the landing light was on but I did not notice a piece of carpet sticking up. I tripped over it and fell. My wife called the ambulance and when they came they told me I hadn’t broken any bones but they wanted me to go to hospital because my wife is quite poorly. I spent the night in A&E, was X-rayed, and was told that no damage was done. Then I had to wait and wait and wait and wait for an ambulance to take me back home again.”

14. What is the value of reassurance? • What is the value of anxiety lessened? • What is the value of questions answered? • What is the value of expectations realised? • What is the value of commitment to services? • What is the value of pain eased? • What is the value of time spent with an anxious individual? • What is the value of a hand held? • What is the value of caring? • What is the value of peace of mind? • What is the value of kindness?

15. “There is no such thing as ‘older people’………. there are merely people who have got older.”