Down But Not Out

As many as one in four older people in Bristol are blighted by depression, according to a new report published by Age Concern.  However, most are not getting any support because the illness is often wrongly seen as a natural part of getting older.

Age Concern found that more than two million older people over the age of 65 in England have symptoms of depression bad enough to need help. But ageist attitudes held by many in our society, including GPs and ageist rules in the NHS mean that more than eight out of ten older people with clinical depression do not get the treatment they need.

Age Concern’s new campaign, ‘Down, But Not Out’, aims to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. The charity will be helping older people to recognise the symptoms of depression and encouraging them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all, regardless of age.

Dianne McCarthy, Chief Officer of Age Concern Bristol comments, “Depression is the most common mental health problem in later life and should not be ignored.  If it is not identified and treated, depression can lead to a life of misery.  It can often cause other illnesses and in extreme cases even suicide. The negative attitude many people have towards mental health problems makes it difficult for older people to talk about their depression and ask for help. It is scandalous that when they do seek help they may be denied treatment simply because of their age.”

The 'Link Up' service at Age Concern Bristol provides support to older people in the community that might be experiencing social isolation, depression and / or a loss of confidence as a result. The aim of the service is to enable older people to make the most out of their lives and feel confident and part of society. This is achieved by matching volunteers with service users who encourage and support them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. The project provides both long and short term support and has the ability to reunite local communities whilst supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society. 

To find out more about Link Up or any of Age Concern Bristol’s services, please contact us directly on: 0117 929 7537, e-mail admin@ageconcernbristol.org.uk or visit our website at: www.ageconcernbristol.org.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGE CONCERN ACTS ON MASSIVE WORRIES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CARE

Bleak expectations of care in Britain revealed by charity

Eight of out ten people in Bristol are very concerned about the quality of care that they or a loved one would get in later life, research by Age Concern reveals. Four out of ten people are not even confident they will be treated with dignity or respect, dealing another huge blow to the image of care services across the country.

The charity described the findings as further evidence of how the care system is routinely failing older people and their families.

Preceding a major Government consultation about the future of care, Age Concern is calling for radical reform of the system. The charity has launched a nationwide campaign "The Big Q" to demand better care that enables people to keep their dignity, their rights and control of their lives.

Polling carried out for Age Concern found that people throughout Britain, of all ages and incomes, are deeply worried about the quality of the personal care they might get if they needed help with everyday task like getting out of bed, washing, dressing or taking medication.

Peoples' worries about the quality of personal care increase with age. Seven out of ten young adults (18-34 year olds) are very concerned about the quality of personal care that a loved one or they themselves would get. This rises to nine out of ten people aged 75 or older, by which age people are more likely to need some help or to know people who do.

Dianne McCarthy of Age Concern Bristol, said: "The stories we hear from older people suggest that our community is right to be worried about the quality of care older people receive. All too often people are not getting the kind of care they need. This is distressing, undermines their independence and in the worst cases, can contribute to people dying sooner. Radical reform of the care system is urgently needed."

If you would to show your support or find out more about the The Big Q campaign, please visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/care, email care@ace.org.uk or call Age Concern's Campaigns team on 020 8765 7656.

To get a free copy of the campaign report "Quality not Inequality" please visit our website www.ageconcern.org.uk/care or call our information line on freephone 0800 00 99 66.

 

Feet For Purpose Update

Bristol Older People's Forum undertook a footcare survey on Age Concern Bristol's behalf in January 2008. The response rate was the largest number of responses BOPF have ever had for such a survey. The aim of this survey was to explore the issue of foot care provided for people aged 55 and over in order to measure the extent of the problems currently being experienced by older people living in Bristol. The survey's conclusion is that a substantial proportion of older people living in Bristol do have unresolved problems with caring for their feet and there is an urgent need for further consideration as to how this unmet need can be addressed. For a copy of this survey please get in contact with Sali Hill at ACB. Age Concern Bristol are currently working with the Bristol PCT to try and get a basic Foot Care Service in operation by next year.

If you have any  general comments or would like to share your own experiences of issues relating to any of Age Concern Bristol's campaigns please contact Jessica Lewin by e-mailing: admin@ageconcernbristol.org.uk or calling: 0117 9297537.