Unlocking Potential project Advisory Group Meeting

1. Unlocking Potential project Advisory Group Meeting Research project The impact of formal volunteering on the health and well-being of older people in Northern Ireland. Presentation of Timepoint 1 findings Dr. John Mallett & Prof. Maurice Stringer University of Ulster

2. Overview Overview of some of the health related scales Description of baseline sample Local Government District EUROSTAT NUTS (Level 3) Old Health & Social Care areas Demographics (Age, gender, income) 3. Organisational classification 4. Main activities carried out within organisations 5. Reported health Diagnosed medical conditions. Satisfaction with health Activity levels / disability Correlates of well-being scales (age, gender, living circumstances, income etc..). 7. Summary

3. 1. Overview of some of the health related scales - (WHOQOL)-BREF - General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). - Diagnosed medical conditions Lubben Social Support Scale Experiences and Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (EAAQ)

4. Table 1 QUALITY OF LIFE THE (WHOQOL) -BREF

5. The Lubben Social Network Scale Can be used to assess the level of social supportavailable to an individual Measures: 10 questions (1) family networks: 3 questions (2) friends networks: 3 questions (3) confidant relationships: 2 questions (4) helping others: 1 two part question (5) living arrangements: 1 question This study used used parts 1 and 2 only

6. Reported medical conditions as diagnosed by a doctor or consultant Individuals tick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to each of the following High blood pressure Diabetes or high blood sugar Cancer or malignant tumor Chronic lung disease Heart attack or other heart problems Stroke Arthritis or rheumatism These are classified as significant medical problems based on Lumm & Lightfoot, 2005) These questions can be examined individually and / or aggregated to form a total diagnosed physical health score. High scores indicate more health conditions.

7. EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES TO AGEING QUESTIONNAIRE (EAAQ) Q15a-Q15g (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly agree) Q17a-Q17q (1=not at all true, 5=extremely true). Psychological loss Scale 3. Old age is a time of loneliness. 6. Old age is a depressing time of life. 9. I find it more difficult to talk about my feelings as I get older. 12. I see old age mainly as a time of loss. 15. I am losing my physical independence as I get older. 17. As I get older, I find it more difficult to make new friends. 20. I don’t feel involved in society now that I am older. 22. I feel excluded from things because of my age.

8. EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES TO AGEING QUESTIONNAIRE (EAAQ) • Q15a-Q15g (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly agree) • Q17a-Q17q (1=not at all true, 5=extremely true). • Physical Change Scale • 7. It is important to take exercise at any age. • 8. Growing older has been easier than I thought. • 11. I don’t feel old. • 13. My identity is not defined by my age. • 14. I have more energy now than I expected for my age. • Problems with my physical health do not hold me back from doing • what I want to. • 23. My health is better than I expected for my age. • 24. I keep myself as fit and active as possible by exercising.

9. EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES TO AGEING QUESTIONNAIRE (EAAQ) • Q15a-Q15g (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly agree) • Q17a-Q17q (1=not at all true, 5=extremely true). • Psychological Gain • 1 As people get older they are better able to cope with life. • 2. It is a privilege to grow old. • 4. Wisdom comes with age. • 5. There are many pleasant things about growing older. • 10. I am more accepting of myself as I have grown older. • It is very important to pass on the benefits of my experiences • to younger people. • 19. I believe my life has made a difference. • 21. I want to give a good example to younger people.

10. Table 2 Psychometric scale reliabilities

11. 2. Description of baseline sample Local Government District EUROSTAT NUTS (Level 3) Old Health & Social Care areas Demographics (Age, gender, income)

12. Fig 2.1 Survey response rate by Local Government District (LGN)

13. Fig. 2.2 Survey response rate by Local Government District (LGN)

14. EurostatNomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) Level 3 Table 3 21.3% 16.8% 16.8% 14.8%

15. Health and Social Care areas There were four health and social services boards which were replaced by a single Health and Social Care Board in April 2009.The former health and social services boards were as follows: Table 4 17.9% 9.8% 42.6% 20.7%

16. Fig 2.3

17. Fig 2.4

18. - 281 respondents (78.9%) were located within Voluntary / Community organisations- 12 respondents (3.4%) were based within faith-based church organisations- 6 respondents (1.7%) were based within statutory organisations.- 57 respondents (16%) did not provide information on the type of organisation. 3. Organisational classification

19. 3. Main activities carried out within organisations

20. Main activities carried out by respondents in volunteering organisation Fig. 3.1

21. Reasons given for becoming involved in volunteering Fig 3.2

22. 4. Reported health Diagnosed medical conditions. Satisfaction with health - Activity levels

23. Fig 4.1

24. Fig 4.2

25. Fig 4.3

26. 4. Reported health Diagnosed medical conditions Satisfaction with health - Activity levels

27. Fig 4.4

28. Fig 4.5

29. Fig 4.6

30. 4. Reported health Diagnosed medical conditions Satisfaction with health - Activity levels

31. Fig 4.7

32. Fig 4.8

33. Fig 4.9

34. Fig 4.10

35. Fig 4.11

36. Reported health Diagnosed medical conditions Satisfaction with health - Activity levels

37. Table 5. Pearson zero-order correlations between Main Health Scales and demographic variables.

38. Table 6. Pearson zero-order correlations between Main Health Scales and demographic variables.

39. Table 7. Number of experienced volunteers by local government area and age .

40. Table 8. Number of new volunteers by local government area and age.

41. The sample covers all local government districts in N. Ireland with expected higher representation from urban areas. - There were proportionately more females (60%). • The sample was well represented in terms of age spread with the • majority of respondents aged between 60-69. - The sample contained a good mix of new and existing volunteers • One quarter of the sample did not answer the question on income. • Of those who answered the income question the income distribution was widely spread with a smaller but significant number of higher household incomes reported. • This was mirrored by a diverse range of educational backgrounds. Summary

42. A largely healthy sample with some age related differencesin health and attitudes recorded. Positive attitudes to health were expressed by the majority of respondents. The most commonly reported medical conditions were high blood pressure (33%)and arthritis/ rheumatism (30%) with much lower numbers reporting other significant medical conditions (Heart 12%, Diabetes (8%), Stroke (2.8%), Cancer 2.5%, lung disease (3.4%). Activity levels were high among the majority of volunteers Psychological scales performed largely as expected in relation to demographic differences. Questions?... Summary- Health