Richard, 79, a retired railway engineer in the Midlands, is cheerful and courteous on Good Friday as he explains that since the council axed the Dial-a-Ride scheme his social life, including a lunch club, shopping and outings, has been reduced to a single visit each week to church. A neurological condition means that Richard (not his real name) needs a wheelchair. A member of the congregation comes to push him the short distance to church. “I’m extremely lucky in that respect,” he says. Richard is now confined to his room in his sheltered accommodation, six days out of seven. A reduction in staff from six to two also means that his fellow residents are unknown to each other, as there is no extra help to arrange social events.
Author Archives: wendy
Elderly care demand to 'outstrip' family supply
“neighbourhood networks” should be built to help care for older people
The IPPR said “neighbourhood networks” should be built to help care for older people
The number of older people in England needing care will “outstrip” the number of family members able to provide it by 2017, a think tank has warned.
An Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) report estimates that by 2030 there will be more than two million people aged 65 and over with no child living nearby to give care if needed.
The IPPR said the country must “build new community institutions” to cope.
Internet Use Can Reduce Depression Risk in Elderly
Loneliness can fuel depression in older adults, and experts estimate that as many as 10 million older Americans suffer from depression.
Now, a new study suggests information technology, specifically use of the Internet, among the elderly can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30 percent.
Researchers followed the lives of thousands of retired older Americans reviewing data collected by the Health and Retirement Survey — a survey collecting information from more than 22,000 older Americans every two years.
“The 30 percent reduction is a very strong effect,” said Shelia Cotten, Ph.D., a Michigan State University professor of telecommunication, information studies and media who led the project.
“And it all has to do with older persons being able to communicate, to stay in contact with their social networks, and just not feel lonely.”
