A major new study of health and social services among older people has found quality of life and morale were generally high.
The study, entitled Health and Social Services for Older People(HeSSOP), was launched by the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Older People, Dr Tom Moffatt, today. It is the first such survey ever undertaken in Ireland.
The project was carried out by the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Western Health Board. It involved interviews with over 900 people aged between 65 and 99 living in Counties Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
People in cities, towns and rural communities were surveyed.
A team from the Royal College of Surgeons undertook the research.
But underlying the feelings of general well-being the study found a degree of vulnerability and concern that older people's situation was precarious.
The study authors pointed to the need for health boards to provide reassurance, advice and information about services that would anticipate significant changes in lives of older people.
Among the other main findings:
- It is widely acknowledged that allowing the older person to have more director control over the types and frequency of services he or she needs will help provide services that are more flexible, individualised and holistic. But a sizable number of older people did not feel that their views were sufficiently considered by health professionals and there is a pressing need for greater consultation and participation in the provision of health care to older people;
- Most respondents expressed a very clear preference for care at home by family members and/or friends and for the services that would enable them to remain independent and well for as long as possible in later life;
- Many older people are receiving a substantial amount of help from family members, other relatives or neighbours either in place of, or in addition to, more formal services;
- Many were also interested in availing of such services as meals on wheels, home help, dental and optical treatment, respite care and the advice of a dietitian, but for many older people cost is a major barrier.
- Stigmatisation or embarrassment at using certain services is a significant barrier for a substantial number of older people. The services mentioned as being most unacceptable for this reason include home help, psychological, counselling or social work services, as well as the services provided by personal care attendants;
- Most older people view their GP as the key service provider and 93 per cent of those interviewed had seen their GP in the previous twelve months;
- Lack of adequate and accessible public transport has severe consequences for older people who depend on it and who have few or no alternatives to fall back on.
