Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales · Purpose of the Older People’s Monitor • The aim is to report on the wellbeing of older people in Wales using a variety of wellbeing

www.cymru.gov.uk

Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales

2009

Launa Anderson, Principal Research Officer,

Welsh Government

Expert Workshop: Framework and methods for indicator building

for various vulnerable groups

Budapest 27 – 29 November 2013

Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth a Dadansoddi

Knowledge and Analytical Services

• Introduction to the Welsh Government

• Introduction to the Government Social Research

• Origins and purpose of the Monitor

• Definitions

• Aims and structure of the Monitor

• Indicators

• Example of some key findings and evidence gaps for health

• Qualitative study

• Response

• What next

Design TipsOutline of Presentation



Welsh Government

• The Welsh Government is the devolved government for Wales.

• It is responsible for devolved issues such as education; health; local government; transport; planning; economic development; social care; culture; environment; agriculture and rural affairs.

• The role of the Welsh Government is to makes decisions on matters regarding these areas; develop and implement policies and develop Welsh laws.

• The UK government continues to have overall responsibility for certain areas such as the police, prisons, the justice system, defence, national security and foreign affairs.



Government Social Research (GSR)

• GSR provides evidence to understand, develop, implement, monitor

and evaluate government policies and services.

• It is one of five government analytical services providing evidence

for policy.

• The purpose of GSR is to:

– Provide government with objective, reliable, relevant and timely social research.

– Support the development, implementation, review and evaluation of policy and

delivery.

– Ensure policy debate is informed by the best research evidence and thinking

from the social sciences.



Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales

• 2008 Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales

• Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales 2009

• 2011 Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales



Purpose of the Older People’s Monitor

• The aim is to report on the wellbeing of older people in Wales using

a variety of wellbeing indicators, findings from the published

evidence base and the voices of older people themselves.

• It aims to provide a multi-dimensional, reliable and current picture of

wellbeing.

• Aims to monitor and respond to key trends as well as raising

awareness of issues to be tackled.



What do we mean by an older person?

• For the purposes of this Monitor and in-line with Welsh Government

policy this is those aged 50 and over.

• This is a challenge for indicator data as this covers a large and

diverse population. Includes other cut-off ages such as State

Pension Age (60/65) and the oldest old (80+).

• Often the indicators are broken down into more than one age band.

• Other areas of interest gender, socioeconomic status etc.



What do we mean by wellbeing?

• “…a positive physical, social and mental state; it is not just the

absence of pain, discomfort and incapacity. It requires that basic

needs are met, that individuals have a sense of purpose, that they

feel able to achieve important personal goals and participate in

society. It is enhanced by conditions that include supportive

personal relationships, strong and inclusive communities, good

health, financial and personal security, rewarding employment, and

a healthy and attractive environment”.

– DEFRA (2008)

• Broad, multi-dimensional, objective and subjective, negative and

positive.



What is the Monitor?

• It is not intended to be a statistical publication.

• It is more of a state of the nation style report.

• It is for a lay audience as well as policy makers.

• It is to be able to track progress against the Welsh Government’s Older People’s strategy.

• A drive to use Welsh data but in some instances UK or England data used as a proxy.

• No new data collected but some re-analysis in some cases e.g. to provide a different age breakdown.

• Having the evidence in one place for reference and planning purposes.

• A review of the evidence base to provide context.

• The ‘voices’ of older people included by bespoke commissioned qualitative work.



Structure of the Monitor

• The Monitor is based on themes from the United Nations Principles

for Older Persons and the Welsh Government’s Older People’s 10

year strategy.

• The chapter structure is as follows:

1. Introduction

2. Older People in Wales: a Demographic Overview

3. Older People in Wales: Specific Groups

4. Dignity and Social Inclusion

5. Independence and Material Wellbeing

6. Participation

7. Health and Care

8. Self-fulfilment and Active Ageing



Which indicators?

• Looked at other state of the nation style reports.

• United Nations Principles for Older Persons indicators.

• Welsh Government, Older People’s Strategy Indicators of Change.

• Department for Work and Pensions: Opportunity Age Indicators.

• Additional indicators were identified some available but some not.

• Data driven.



Indicators included for Health and Care



Health and Care continued



Self-Reported Health



Health and care key findings



Health and care key information gaps



Qualitative study

• Voices of Older People in Wales: a qualitative study of health and wellbeing among the over 50s.

• Purposive sample of 39 people aged 50 and over.

• Younger Group (50-65) and older group over 65.

• Negative social attitudes towards older people.

• Concerns over ageing.

• Concerns over entering residential care.

• A need for reliable information on entitlements and tradespeople.

• Unhappy about prospect of paying for health and social care.

• To keep on working.

• Age-related expectations of health.

• Views on healthcare - GP positive but hospital care negative.

• Importance of neighbourhood and community.

• Social participation – joiners and loners.

• Financial security.

• Positive towards young people.

• Importance of a healthy diet.



Response

• Welcomed and supported at a Ministerial level.

• Some media coverage.

• Welcomed by policy colleagues who requested it.

• Stakeholders e.g. Older Peoples Commissioner and charities in the

sector.



What next?

• Was intended to have the next Monitor in 2011.

• Consideration being given on when and if the next Monitor should

be produced.

• Dependent on need from policy, ministers and wider stakeholders.

• Dependent on available resources.

• Consideration being given to other models e.g. working with an

outside stakeholder or having a shorter report.



Any questions?

• Contact Details:

Launa Anderson

029 2082 5274

[email protected]

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/olderpeople/research/wellbeingmonitor2009/?lang=en

mailto:[email protected]

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/olderpeople/research/wellbeingmonitor2009/?lang=en

Documents

Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales · Purpose of the Older People’s Monitor • The aim is to report on the wellbeing of older people in Wales using a variety of wellbeing