Interviews with people aged 80 and over reinforced previous findings that the care sector fails to address the problems caused by sight loss, one of the commonest conditions of old age. Care services are “inadequate and inequitable”, says the new study, and the frailest elderly “miss out on services that could help them manage their condition.”
“Government regulations are supposed to provide care and support for all older people but for those with sight loss – some of our most vulnerable older people - these policies just aren’t working,” said Professor Mima Cattan, lead researcher and Professor in Public Health at Northumbria University.
Currently, the fastest growing section of the UK population is the oldest old. In 2003 there were almost 400,000 in the UK aged 90 years or older. The number of centenarians is currently increasing by about 7 per cent per year. For all older people, sight loss is one of the most common and disabling conditions.
Launching the study at a seminar in Northumbria University, Professor Cattan said that hopelessness, low morale and depression are all linked to sight loss but these are made worse by the failings exposed in the care system:
- Lack of understanding of the consequences of sight loss: This led to intolerance and discrimination in fellow residents of care homes and social housing, and amongst some care staff. Some older people said they felt “unwelcome” but this issue was ignored.
- Failure to ensure communication: Frail older people with sight loss felt unable to talk to busy care staff. They described trying to communicate as exhausting, difficult and occasionally embarrassing, and this led to further withdrawal from social activities and increased feelings of isolation.
- No systematic assessment and monitoring of eye health: Instead of being routine and systematic this often depended on the personal commitment of an individual member of staff. Provision of vision aids which should have been readily available similarly depended on the interest of individuals.
- Failure to attend to the needs and preferences of individuals: Emotional support, identified as a particularly pressing need for older people with sight loss, was rarely offered. Older people did not receive support to maintain their independence and as a result felt they sacrificed their individuality for the sake of the security they got from living in care homes.
- Inadequate information: Older people were rarely offered advice, help or support on how to live with their loss of vision. There was a frequent lack of information and lack of follow-up.
At the seminar today, attended by care professionals, clinicians and voluntary organisations, Thomas Pocklington Trust called for the care sector to be more sensitive to people’s individual needs, interests and activities.
“As the population ages there will be more and more frail older people struggling with sight loss, yet many care and support professionals simply do not recognise their needs,” said Dr. Angela McCullagh, Research and Development Director, Thomas Pocklington Trust. “When many of our oldest old give up their independence and still don’t get the practical help they need there is obviously something wrong with the system. What’s needed is a care sector that provides adequate support as well as helping people hang on to their individuality.”
For more information or a PDF of the study please contact: Sue Cooper, Press Officer, Tel: 01759 368286, Email: sc2323@btinternet.com.
Editor’s Notes:
1. “The needs of frail older people with sight loss”, a Thomas Pocklington Trust Occasional Paper No 29 is available from www.pocklington-trust.org.uk.
The research, a qualitative study, included a literature review followed by in-depth interviews with 24 frail older people living in care homes and sheltered housing, and interviews with a manager and two wardens. The research was led by Professor Mima Cattan, Professor in Public Health at the School of Health, Community and Education Studies, Northumbria University. Co-investigators were Drs Skye Hughes and Fiona Fylan and research associates were Dr. Nicola Kimes and Gianfranco Giuntoli of Leeds Metropolitan University.
This study builds on substantial previous research on the needs of older people with sight loss which can also be found at www.pocklington-trust.org.uk.
2. Thomas Pocklington Trust is a charity which aims to improve the quality of life of people with sight loss. It is a leading provider of housing, care and support services for people with sight loss in the UK, and is a major research and development body.
