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The number of 85 years olds will increase by a third by 2020
Health and social care provision needs to be put in place for a large increase (33%) in the 85 year old population in the UK by 2020, according to a study published today on bmj.com.
The authors conclude that the study is important as it will help local and national policy makers plan services for the expanding population of oldest old. They argue that 61% of the non-institutionalised individuals in their study were living alone and this has implications for social and health care providers.
The researchers say that while “the oldest old” (individuals aged 80 or 85 years and over) are the fastest growing sector of the world’s population, detailed data about the health problems experienced in this age group is lacking.
The Newcastle 85+ Study, funded by the Medical Research Council, assessed the health of more than one thousand individuals born in 1921 and living in Newcastle and North Tyneside. The majority of participants underwent a detailed health assessment and a medical record review.
Lead researcher, Professor Tom Kirkwood said the research group provided an invaluable resource of material as they had “evaded the risks of mortality associated with specific adverse factors and are therefore particularly likely to be informative about the effects of intrinsic ageing”.
Despite significant levels of disease and impairment, the researchers found that “these 85 year olds seemed optimistic” and almost eight out of ten (78%) of them rated their health, compared to others of the same age, as ‘good’ or better. Low levels of disability were found and only one out of ten participants (10%) was in institutional care.
The results also show that almost six out of ten participants (58%) suffered from high blood pressure and just over a half (52%) had osteoarthritis. Moderate to severe cognitive impairment was present in 12% of the group and 21% of them had severe to profound urinary incontinence. Six out of ten (60%) had some form of hearing impairment and almost four out of ten (37%) had visual impairment.
More than nine out of ten (94%) participants had seen their GP and almost eight out of ten (77%) had seen a practice nurse in the previous year. Although women had a higher number of diseases and disabilities than men, they were less likely to have gone to hospital as an outpatient in the previous three months.
Have your say on hospital food
Have your say on hospital foodThe Wales Audit Office is inviting anyone who has been a patient, or cares for someone who has been a hospital patient, within the last two years, to give their views on what they think about the hospital food they received during their stay. Visit the Wales Audit Office <http://www.wao.gov.uk/news_3114.asp> website to complete the form
Next government 'must have clear policy on cooperative business model'
Next government 'must have clear policy on cooperative business model'
By Mathew Little, Third Sector Online, 3 March 2010
Co-operatives UK advocates using cooperatives to help deliver a diverse economy
Co-operatives UK has called on the next government to formulate a clear policy on how cooperatives can deliver public services.
The request forms part of the umbrella body's general election "cooperative call to action", published this week, and is addressed to all political parties.
Ed Mayo, secretary general of the organisation, said: "We wish to see the next government make a commitment to encourage a diverse economy where the cooperative business model features strongly."
The call to action also advocates using cooperatives to stem the recent tide of pub closures. It recommends an emergency support service for struggling pubs, enabling local people to use the cooperative model to keep pubs alive.
Community ownership of fibre-optic broadband access in rural communities is also called for.
Co-operatives UK has also this week issued the Mutuals Manifesto, in partnership with the Employee Ownership Association, the Building Societies Association, the Association of Financial Mutuals and Mutuo, which works to promote mutuals.
The manifesto recommends that public services should be supported to convert to mutual status by a business conversion unit, working across government departments.
"As the UK is now technically out of recession, the time has really come for a new agenda of cooperation," said Mayo.
Last month David Cameron pledged that public sector workers such as nurses and primary school teachers would be given the right to form taxpayer-funded cooperatives under a Conservative government.
Newly added Articles
13 June 2010 By Tom Peterkin PRESSURE was last night mounting on Alex Salmond's government to re-examine Scotland's free personal care policy amid fears that it is too expensive to maintain. Scotland on Sunday can reveal that a Scottish Government initiative looking at paying...
- Medicines Chapter of the NSF for Older People
- In Beveridge's footsteps - making care free for all
- Self-managed Care - a co-operative approach
- Next government 'must have clear policy on cooperative business model'
- Have your say on hospital food
- Commission on Social Services in Wales Evidence submitted on behalf of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Network
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