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Care and support needs of older people generally will include:
Support to maintain health and wellbeing
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than half of the burden of disease among people over 60 is potentially avoidable through changes to lifestyle (Oliver et al, 2014). These can be broadly defined as preventative community services which promote engagement, healthy behaviours/eating and physical activity. Evidence shows that many age-related conditions, including frailty, can be prevented or delayed by helping maintain individuals’ resilience (Pacala, 2013). Work commissioned by the Social Services Improvement Agency (SSIA) suggests that targeted support in the areas of information, relationships, psychological resources, finance, physical health, home, community and work and learning is most effective in achieving this (Blood et al, 2015).
Effective information, advice and assistance services
This is a key theme within the SSWB Act 2014 and services, including advocacy, are of particular value for older people in helping them access services, make informed decisions, exercise choice and participate in their community. Research by Age UK suggested that generic information, advice and assistance services need to be tailored to fit older people’s needs which are likely to include social contact and care, finance and housing, health and practical support. (Age UK, n.d). Targeted IAA services might be appropriate for those people aged 65 and over that retire to the region.
In a recent poll the single most important thing to people over 60 planning to move was access to the countryside. More than 80% of those polled put the countryside ahead of social life or access to healthcare. It also suggested that people do not consider their potential care needs as most people indicated "don't know" when asked about the provision of care and support in the area they were planning to retire to (McVeigh, 2009).
Suitability of living accommodation
It has been estimated that older people spend 70-90 % of their time at home, which means that an environment that is conducive to supporting wellbeing is crucial (ODMP, 2006 cited in Careter and Hillcoat-Nallétamby, 2015: 3). The housing environments in which we age plays a determining role in ensuring that people maintain autonomy and independence and remain engaged in their local communities (Institute of Public Care, 2012).
Age-friendly communities
An age-friendly community can be simply defined as one where local people have decided their priorities to better support people as they age. This can include physical design, promoting better access and mobility, promoting people’s social engagement and developing support and relationships between the generations. The most
West Wales Population Assessment March 2017 Older people