Age UK Redbridge Barking and Havering - HWR Community Network

 

We have decided to recycle a previous survey, the 'GP Access Survey' as we would really like to know if; 15 months on, anything has changed in the local community. Questions like, waiting times for appointments, how satisfied people are with their GP service and whether they need to be digitally confident to access services, will all be explored again.

We are interested to know if things have improved since our previous recommendations were published, or, if they have not changed or have become worse, then we can take our findings to the local and wider professional bodies to explore ways to improve things. The survey will feature a mixture of qualitative and quantitative responses and subjective quotes so we can get a clear picture of what’s happening with this topic from a variety of angles.

Last time, in Autumn 2022, GP services were still emerging from the fall out of Covid 19 and so it will be interesting to see if anything has changed since this very significant and unprecedented event. We have also rattled through 5 Secretaries of State for Health and social Care in the last 18 months, so it will also be fascinating to see if that has had any impact.

A full report on the survey and any subsequent findings will be available around late March 2024.

We would really appreciate it if you could complete this survey by clicking the link below. However, if you prefer a hard copy please contact Sue Grant on: 0208 911 2927 or email sue.grant@ageukrbh.org.uk.

Click here to complete the survey.

Reports

Age UK report on Social Isolation & Loneliness

During August - November 2023, 120 local people in Redbridge completed our survey on social isolation and loneliness.

Findings reveal that poor health is a leading cause of isolation, and that those in good health, are much less likely to be affected.

Of the respondents citing poor health, three quarters (73%) say they often feel isolated, two thirds (64%) lack companionship, go out just once a week (or less), or have poor life satisfaction, and almost half (45%) feel ‘left out’ and have inadequate support networks.

We have heard about a lack of awareness on what is available, a lack of support or difficulty with costs, poor self-esteem and motivation, and family, friends or neighbours who are ‘too busy’ to assist.

More generally, we are told that coping after bereavement can be difficult, and take a long time, and that the evenings can be especially difficult.

There is a difference between the genders – women are more likely to lack companionship and to feel ‘left out’ while men are more likely to feel isolated, and as a whole, are ‘less satisfied’ with life.

On households, we are surprised to find that those living alone, are less likely to feel isolated, and also go out more often - than those living with others.

Click here to read the full report.

 

During April - August 2023, 121 older people in Redbridge completed our survey on digital skills. The survey aimed to understand how comfortable people are with using digital technology and what areas they may need more support or training in. It also aimed to identify whether people feel digitally excluded from some services and activities and how this impacts on their daily lives.

 

We found that the older people are, the less likely they are, to own a digital device, or to have the skills and confidence to make the most out of them.

 

For example, fewer than half of respondents aged 75 – 89 (47%) own a smart-phone, this compares with 78% for those aged 65 – 74, and 100% for 50 – 64 year olds. On skills, just 39% of those aged 75 – 89 feel confident to use their smart-phone, comparing with 69% for respondents aged 50 – 64.

 

This sort of disadvantage, along with the rapid move to online-only services, has clearly resulted in inequality and exclusion. Services with an online access requirement have been problematic for 36% of respondents (again many of them older) and just 33% were offered an alternative access method.

 

We have heard accounts of staff insisting on the online method, with advice to ‘get family or friends to help’. When someone has outlined difficulties with technology, we feel that this kind of approach is inappropriate, and unreasonable. There should always be an alternative and people should always be supported

 

 

Age UK report on Social Care

During January - March 2023, 81 local older people completed our survey on social care services in Redbridge.

We found that on awareness of social care services and assessments, just 15% of respondents are ‘confidently aware’ of the support on offer. Around a third (38%) know how to make contact, while a similar number (36%) do not.

Given that half of respondents (52%) would contact social services if they needed support with daily living, we feel that awareness levels need to be much greater.

A fifth of respondents (21%) would not be willing to undertake a financial assessment, to receive services and support. There are concerns about privacy, doubts about eligibility, and worries about losing independence. With this in mind, we also feel that services should offer more encouragement, to improve uptake levels.

When accessing services, 28% of respondents were able to make contact easily, while a larger number (39%) experienced difficulty. The phone is clearly the most preferred method of contact (63%) so should remain as an effective option going forward.

Click here to read more, in our full report.

 

During October - December 2022, 154 local people in Redbridge completed our survey on the current cost of living pressures.

Findings suggest that older people are experiencing a ‘real and significant’ crisis.

A clear majority of respondents (91%) express worry or concern about rising costs and a large number (85%) have taken action to cut back on their bills and expenses.

Of those making cutbacks, around three quarters (73%) have reduced their household energy use, 43% have curtailed their social activity or holiday plans and 35% have cut down on meals, or switched to cheaper brands.

After paying for basics, 43% of respondents have ‘money left over for luxuries’ while a larger number (48%) say they do not. 41% have had to use savings.

A significant minority of respondents (39%) say that the current economic situation has affected their physical or mental health.

Key concerns include the ability to pay bills, level of savings, and possibility of falling into debt.

Click here to read our full report https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/redbridge-barking--havering/news/age-uk-rbh---cost-of-living-survey-2022-23.pdf