Beneficiary Survey Results 2007

IndependentAgeBeneficiary Survey 2007

Summary of main findings

Research Background• 2nd survey undertaken among recipients of

IndependentAges’ Golden Link magazine repeating the initial exercise undertaken in 2006

• Survey designed to look various aspects of the life of IndependentAge beneficiaries:– Priorities– Staying Independent– Local Amenities– Finances– Health– Community– Practical support and care

• Analysis in this document based on 2,773 returned questionnaires

Respondent Profile

Age Profile:57% of respondents were aged over 75, 36% aged over 80

Under 604%

60-645%

65-6915%

70-7419%

75-7921%

80-8418%

85-8913%

90-944%

95+1%

Base: Excludes Not Stated

Gender:Three-quarters of respondents were female and a quarter male

Male26%

Female74%


Marital Status:60% of respondents were either widowed or divorced/separated

Widowed39%

Single11%

Divorced / Separated21%

Married/Civil Partnership

29%


Who live with:63% of respondents indicated that they lived alone whilst 28% lived with their spouse/partner, 5% with other relatives or friends and 4% in residential care

Other relatives3%

Spouse/partner28%

Alone63%

Friend/Friends2%

In a residential care home4%


Location:47% of respondents indicated that they were from the south of England, 20% the north of England and 15% from central England

Central England15%

South of England47%

Greater London5%

Northern Ireland1%

Republic of Ireland3% Scotland

6% Wales3%

North of England20%


Section A - Priorities

Overall Importance of factors to life today

Being able to get around, staying in their own home for as long as possible, good health and independence, the family and feeling safe seen as essential by 50% or more of respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Being able to get around

Staying in my home for as long as possible

Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably

Good local amenities

Living live to the full

Something to look forward to

Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%

Base: All Respondents

Under 60s less likely to rate good heath as essential than the overall sample, more likely to stress the desire to stay in their home as long as possible

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%

Base: Respondents Under 60

For 60-64 year olds the maintenance of dignity achieves a slightly higher degree of importance, although essentially the rank order is the same as for the sample overall

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%

Base: Respondents 60-64

For 65-69 year olds the rank order matches that of all respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%


As it does for 70-74 year olds

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%


For 75-79 year olds staying active achieves slightly more prominence, otherwise there is little change in the rank order

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%


The same is true for 80-84 year olds

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%


85-89 year olds are slightly more likely to stress staying in their home for as long as possible as being essential

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%


For those over 90, staying in their own home as long as possible is also the most important factor. Staying active is of lesser importance overall

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70



Good health

Independence

Your family

Feeling safe

Financial security

Staying active

Dignity

Friendship

Living comfortably




Fun

Learning new things

Meeting new people

%

Base: Respondents 90+

When asked to choose only 3 factors Good health, financial security and staying in own home for as long as possible achieved most mentions, with good health clearly the major priority

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Good health

Financial security


Your family


Independence

Feeling safe

Staying active

Friendship

Dignity

Living comfortably



Fun


Learning new things

Meeting new people

No1 2 3


80% of respondents indicated that they are normally cheerful and happy, 56% of these strongly – Only 5% of respondents disagreed with this

Agree strongly56%Agree slightly

24%

Neither agree nor disagree

6%

Disagree slightly4%

Disagree strongly1% Not stated

9%


55% of respondents agree that old age can be a very happy time of life. However, 19% disagree with this

Agree strongly28%

Agree slightly27%


15%

Disagree slightly17%

Disagree strongly2%

Not stated11%


74% of respondents indicated that they were very independent, 18% of them strongly. Only 5% of respondents disagreed with this

Agree strongly56%

Disagree slightly4%


5%

Agree slightly18%

Disagree strongly1%

Not stated16%


58% of respondents indicated that they were very active, 33% strongly – 20% of respondents did, however, disagreed with this

Agree strongly33%

Agree slightly25%


8%


Disagree strongly2%

Not stated14%


50% of respondents, 21% of them strongly, agreed that other people rely on them for help

Agree strongly21%

Agree slightly29%Neither agree nor

disagree16%


Disagree strongly7%

Not stated17%


49% of respondents, 22% of them strongly, agreed that they able to make a difference

Agree strongly22%

Agree slightly27%Neither agree nor

disagree21%

Disagree slightly8%

Disagree strongly5%

Not stated17%


34% of respondents agreed that they have people around them they can easily talk to but a similar number of 34% of respondents did not feel this was the case

Agree strongly13%

Agree slightly21%


15%


Disagree strongly7%

Not stated17%


Among those indicating that that they lived alone 37% indicated that they have people around them who they can easily talk to, whilst 32% disagreed

Agree strongly16%

Agree slightly21%


13%


Disagree strongly7%

Not stated18%


Although 37% of respondents worry that they will have nothing to offer anyone when they are old, 31% disagreed with this statement

Agree strongly15%

Agree slightly22%


18%


Disagree strongly14%

Not stated14%


36% of respondents agreed that they don’t feel in control of things around them, whilst 29% disagreed with this statement

Agree strongly11%

Agree slightly25%


19%


Disagree strongly8%

Not stated16%


Section B - Staying Independent

When asked to indicate the factors most likely to put independence at risk, declining health was the factor most likely to be considered the most important

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Declining health

Death of spouse/partner

Unable to get around

Declining finances

Rising utility bills

Closure of local post office and shops

Death of another friend/relative

Family moving further away

House repairs becoming a burden

Unable to care for home

Poor public transport

Unable to care for the garden

Fear for personal safety

No


Declining health, being unable to get around and declining finances the three factors most likely to be mentioned as impacting on future independence

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Declining health

Death of spouse/partner

Unable to get around

Declining finances

Rising utility bills

Closure of local post office and shops

Death of another friend/relative

Family moving further away

House repairs becoming a burden

Unable to care for home

Poor public transport

Unable to care for the garden

Fear for personal safety

No1 2 3 Tick


Section C - Local Amenities

Although 74% of respondents indicated that they could get to the local shops easily, 21% disagreed

Yes74%

No21%

Not stated5%


Respondents living in the open countryside were the least likely to indicate they could get to local shops easily

81.4 78.1 77.867.7

49.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

City Coast/Seaside Town Village Open countryside

%


72% of respondents indicated that they could get to the local post office easily, 22% disagreed

Yes72%

No22%

Not stated6%


Respondents living a city were the most likely to indicate that they could get to a local post office easily, whilst for those living in the open countryside this was more of a problem

76.1 75.3 75.372.1

48.1

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80


%


72% of respondents indicated that they feel safe in local area, however 20% disagreed

Yes72%

No8%

Not stated20%


Respondents living in a city were the least likely to indicate that they felt safe in their local area

78.374.1 73.3

69.7 66.5

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Village Open countryside Coast/Seaside Town City

%


59% of respondents agreed that local transport met their needs, 31% disagreed

Yes59%

No31%

Not stated10%


Respondents living in the open countryside were the least likely to indicate that local transport met their needs

71.263.5 63.1

50.4

21.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


%


68% of respondents indicated that they had adequate bank and cashpoint facilities near them to meet their needs, 26% disagreed

Yes68%

No26%

Not stated6%


Respondents living in the open countryside were the least likely to indicate they had adequate bank and cashpoint facilities in their local area

76.2 73.8 70.858

46.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Town City Coast/Seaside Village Open countryside

%


Section D - Finances

84% of respondents indicated that they were able to afford the basics needed, only 10% disagreed

Yes84%

No10%

Not stated6%


62% of respondents indicated that they worried about money, whilst 32% disagreed

Yes62%

No32%

Not stated6%


Nearly half (48%) of respondents indicated that they cut down on heating to save money

Yes48%

No47%

Not stated5%


59% of those indicating that they are worried about money indicated that they cut down on heating to save money

Yes59%

No38%

Not stated3%

Base: Worry about money

29% of those who do not worry about money indicated that they cut down on heating to save money

Yes29%

No69%

Not stated2%

Base: Do not worry about money

22% of respondents indicated that they cut down on food to save money, whilst 73% do not

Yes22%

No73%

Not stated5%


This rises to 32% among those who are worried about money

Yes32%

No65%

Not stated3%


But falls to 6% among those who are not worried about money

Yes6%

No92%

Not stated2%


Section E - Health

74% of respondents indicated that they had a long term illness, health problem or disability

Yes74%

No17%

Not stated9%


Arthritis, rheumatism, osteoporosis, difficulty walking, heart problems/high blood pressure the most common complaints

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Arthritis, rheumatism, osteoporosis

Dificulty walking

Heart problems/High blood pressure

Back or neck problems

Other

Deafness/hearing loss

Breathing problems

Depression or anxiety

Diabetes

Blindness/partially sighted

Stroke

Cancer

Parkinson's Disease

Dementia

No


Section F - Community

Reading and visiting friends the most popular activities that respondents enjoy doing

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Reading

Visiting friends

Religious worship

Gardening

Travelling/Holidays

Arts and crafts

Writing

Exercise/Sports

Courses etc

Performing arts

No


There is, however a significant gap between what respondents enjoy doing and what they are able to do

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Reading

Visiting friends

Religious worship

Gardening

Travelling/Holidays

Arts and crafts

Writing

Exercise/Sports

Courses etc

Performing arts

No

Enjoy Able to do


32% of respondents indicated that they have contact with other charities, whilst 57% do not

Yes32%

No57%

Not stated11%


Respondents who have contact with other charities were less likely to receive financial and practical support from them than advice/information or friendship

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Obtain advice andinformation

Recieve friendship

Volunteer with them

Give them donations

Attend events / day centre/lunches

Obtain practical support

Obtain financial support

No


Section G - Practical Support and Care

55% of respondents indicated that relatives, friends or neighbours look after or provide them with help and support

Yes55%

No39%

Not stated6%


Relatives are the most likely party to provide help and support

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Relative Friend Neighbour

No

Base: Receive Support

Where help and support is provided this tends to be for less than 35 hours a week

Less than 35 hours63%

35-50 hours8%

50+ hours9%

Not stated20%


Help with shopping is the most common form of support

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Shopping

Cleaning/household chores

Other

Gardening

Household repairs

Laundry

Cooking

Personal help

No


18% of respondents indicated that they received some form of paid for care

Yes18%

No73%

Not stated9%


Whilst respondents indicated that social services provide a significant level of paid for care, a significant proportion of respondents indicated that they funded themselves

No answer4%

Social services37%

Paid for by myself31%

Social Services and Self & Friends/Family

1%

Social services and supplemented by

friend/family2%

Social services and supplemented by myself

25%


Whilst 44% of respondents indicated that they were aware of their entitlement to a social care assessment, 33% were unaware that this was the case

Yes44%

No33%

Not stated23%


Walking aids, alarms and bath aids the most likely of the aids to independence to be used by respondents

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

Walking aids

Alarms

Bath aids

Computers/Internet

Wheelchair

Mobility scooter

Stair lift

Fall detectors

Movement sensors

No


Although at a low level respondents indicated that a computer/internet would be the aid they would most likely benefit from

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Computers/Internet

Fall detectors

Movement sensors

Alarms

Bath aids

Mobility scooter

Stair lift

Wheelchair

Walking aids

No


Respondents indicated that an handyman service would be a new service from IndependentAge that they would find most useful

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Handyman service

Additional financial support from IndependentAge

Help around the home

Help with shopping

Support getting out and about

Provision of good relevant information about services

More visits from volunteers

Links to other interest groups

Help understanding benefits/entitlements

Opportunities to meet other people in area

Help with filling in forms

Help with home security

Other

No


An handyman service, additional financial support and help around the home the three services most likely to be considered as useful additions to the services provided by IndependentAge

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

Handyman service

Additional financial support from IndependentAge

Help around the home

Help with shopping

Support getting out and about

Provision of good relevant information about services

More visits from volunteers

Links to other interest groups

Help understanding benefits/entitlements

Opportunities to meet other people in area

Help with filling in forms

Help with home security

Other

No1 2 3 Tick


• For more information on these survey results, please email [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Health & Medicine

Beneficiary Survey Results 2007