Looking after the older people
Warwickshire County Council hosted a day of talking and activities aimed at consulting older people and hearing what issues are of most concern to them.
The event advised older people on what help to seek to continue living independently and showcasing activities ideally suited to older people.
Present were around 150 representatives of all of the county’s older people’s fora and the senior citizens’ action networks which represent the views and needs of older people and work with officers from Warwickshire County Council’s adult services division.
Prior to the event, the representatives had discussed their priorities along with how older people could be involved in the planning and monitoring of services in the county.
Priorities identified included the following:
Financial control; providing pensions and benefits advice, guidance for receiving direct payments and better information about service availability.
Joining up health and social care; creating one point of contact and a single assessment.
Promoting independence; by providing support after ill health or admission to hospital, telecare technology, specialist care for illness eg Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and stroke rehabilitation.
Prevention and well-being; promoting healthier lifestyles and preventative services such as PHILLIS (Promoting Health and Independence through Low Level Integrated Support).
Involving older people in planning and monitoring of services: speaking at existing older people’s fora, questionnaires, participation in reviewing, recruitment and selection processes.
The morning was in two parts, first the discussion and debate and the second part the attendees were joined by a Panel of key officers from Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Health Service and Primary Care Trust and a Representative from the Voluntary Organisation Network.
Representatives raised points including continuity of care, long term care funding, communication channels, long term plans for ensuring high levels of care for people living to high ages, recruitment and the training of care providers.
The afternoon was spent on activities such as chair aerobics, indoor bowling and line dancing; part of the county Council’s strategy to encourage independent living for older people is to promote the opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.
Telecare, a service that provides a range of sensors and aids which are remotely monitored to enable vulnerable people to live more safely and independently, was also illustrated in detail.
Dr Graeme Betts said: “The event was highly successful as it brought many members of the older community together and allowed very useful two way communication; older people expressed their priorities to us and that will be extremely useful in helping us to direct our resources to areas of greatest need.
“And we were able to answer some of their questions - knowledge which will be fed back to their communities.”
Brenda Hardy, Rugby Older People’s Forum Representative, said: “The event gave us an opportunity to raise points that are important to us. We have very close links with the older people in our community and this was a chance to make sure that their views were heard.
“The activities were also extremely enjoyable. In a light hearted manner, they showed us the value of exercise and some of the options that are out there for us to enjoy.”