Identifying the PROBLEM

To really understand and help this age group, we need to think from their very perspective.

On analyzing every problem in hand in much detail could we get to know their apt solutions.

Getting out – meeting people, shopping, and being

involved in social activities are important to an individuals’ quality of life; factors such as isolation, and feeling excluded from events in the community have a negative impact on health and well-being. Factors that influenced unwanted isolation were poor transport; little or no contact at evenings and weekends; existence and cost of social activities.

Information and advice is overflowing; factors such as accessibility,

availability, accuracy, reliability, and the dissemination of information is very important. People require information regarding what services are available, basic information being accurate and up to date, and someone to negotiate an information system to match individual need.

Consistency, and joined-up services: services are considered to be most effective when service providers work together, do not repeat the same questions, respond in the way they have said they will respond, and in a crisis situation, offer a timely response.

Managing everyday tasks – it is the small things that

help older people lead fuller lives. Many services are considered too focused, and yet many of the activities of daily life that become problematic, are minor things that have been previously managed by individuals in the past. People worry about how to cope with many seemingly small tasks in daily living (i.e. dealing with banks, answering letters, managing PIN numbers, reliability of workers, maintaining the house and so forth)

Are services personal? Individual accounts both reflected older people feeling valued, and also for others that they felt that they did not matter.

Feelings of responsibility – family relatives and the people they care for worry what will happen if the carer is ill.