Older People

Background and policy context

Older peopleThe health of older people in Wales as an important priority and this is evidenced in its Strategy for Older People in Wales 2008 - 2013.  The strategy addresses social, economic and environmental factors that influence health (the wider determinants of health) and includes plans for the development of policies and programmes over the forthcoming years. 

The National Service Framework for Older People in Wales sets national standards designed to ensure that as we grow older we can maintain our health, well being and independence for as long as possible, and receive prompt, seamless, quality treatment and support when required.
 
The Healthy Ageing Action Plan is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to promote the health of older adults. It spans the age range of 50 and over, recognising that some elements of healthy ageing begin at around this age.
 

Service Planning

The Health Needs Assessment 2006 Older People document has been created by Heath Information Analysts Team of Public Health Wales to assist local health partnerships with the 2006 round of health needs assessment in preparation for their Health, Social Care and Well-being (HSCWB) Strategies.

Service Delivery

Community based services for older people with mental health problems are provided by way of four multi-agency community teams across Swansea.
You can find more information on via the link below:

Five Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) provide care for people aged 65 and over for Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

A range of community, day hospital and inpatient services cover the Cardiff and Vale UHB area with a community focussed model of care. Inpatient servies offer assessment, respite and continuing assessment beds.

The Cwm Taf Health Board Adult Mental Health Directorate provides a range of inpatient, outpatient and community services for adults and older adults across the four localities of Rhondda, Cynon, Taff Ely, and Merthyr Tydfil areas. .Rehabilitation, Intermediate and Adult Community Care Services to the population of Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff, are delivered through a range of specialist services, community based services and Community Hospitals.

Powys Teaching Local Health Board’s Older People’s Mental Health Services provide assessment and treatment for older people with a wide range of mental health problems, including dementia and depression. You can download the Board's consultation document on modernising the services below:

 

 

Health Promotion Initiatives

Older people are one of the groups most vulnerable to accidents, particularly in and around the home.

Strokes are more common among those over the age of 55, but can happen at any age. Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability in the UK, and the third most common cause of death, after cancer and heart disease.

The Expert Patients Programme Wales (EPP) provides a range of self-management courses and workshops for people living with long-term health conditions or for those who care for someone with a long term condition. 

The Welsh Assembly Government is funding free swimming in Wales for Older People aged 60 and over, outside school holidays.

The Keep Well this Winter campaign provides information and advice to older people in Wales to enable them to maintain good health throughout the winter months and take advantage of the financial help and benefits available.

Local Implementation/Initiatives

Falls are the most common cause of injury in people aged 65 years and older.

Occupational Therapy (OT) enables a person to live as independent and fulfilling a life as possible. 

Resources

The Older People's section of the Welsh Assembly Government website is a rich source of information about health, housing, income, benefits, and transport issues as they relate specifically to older people in Wales. It also contains links to research and publications on all aspects relating to older people in Wales.

The NHS Wales e-library for health (Internet edition) is an online facility established for all NHS staff working within Wales.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.  

NHS Evidence allows everyone working in health and social care to access a wide range of health information to help them deliver quality patient care.

Statistics

The Welsh Assembly Government's report presents a range of statistics on older people - mainly people over the age of 50. It compares their health and their social and economic circumstances with those of people in younger age groups.

Public Health Wales Observatory has produce demography profiles to help Local Health Boards in Wales understand their populations and to plan services accordingly.

The UK National Statistics Publications Hub covers the topic of Older people with statistics on demography of population ageing at national and subnational levels and addresses various aspects about older people’s lives, including housing, living arrangements, economic activity status, health, income and expenditure, migration, lifestyles and quality of life.