c3 - the societal effects of an ageing population

Question 1

hsc provision for older people - health care

Answer 1

• first point of call would be primary care such as their GP, pharmacy or dentist
• those with different conditions or mental health problems may be referred to specialist secondary health professionals in order to monitor their ongoing needs
• acute care is healthcare that meets immediate needs, it is usually short term but can be long term for older people due to longer recovery and treatment periods

Question 2

hsc provision for older people - social care

Answer 2

• services exist in order to help and support people in need of practical help or care due to disability and illness
• the services could include having a carer or support worker to help around the home with practical tasks and care
• there may also be structural changes to homes to help individuals live more independently
• there has to be a practical and financial assessment of all needs and abilities to establish how much support should and can be provided
• charities and private organisations can also be involved in providing social care services

Question 3

hsc provision for older people - community equipment

Answer 3

• one aim of hsc services is to enable people to stay in their homes and remain independent
• community equipment services enable this by providing aids for daily living
• these range from large mobility aids to little gadgets to help out with tasks such as using a kettle

Question 4

hsc provision for older people - financial support and entitlements

Answer 4

• many older people have the advantage of both an occupational pension and a state pension, whereas others have to rely on just the state pension
• can claim pension credit to top it up to a minimum level, some can claim benefits and tax reductions depending on situations
• NHS financial benefits for over 60s include prescriptions, eye tests and eye care
• travel fares ad fuel payments are also available
• some older people may move to sheltered housing where they can get assistance if needed, and a small proportion choose residential care with 24 hour support
• all services aim to provide respect and choice for users as part of their policy on quality reassurance, and many day services provide leisure and social activities
• the total population in the UK of over 65s has increased from 4.5 million in 1951 to 8.7 million in 2011

Question 5

economic effects of an ageing population

Answer 5

• predicted that UK population will rise to 74.3 million by 2039
• in 2012, people over 65 made up 16% of the population, there was also a wide regional variation in the percentage of older people
• approx 30% of people aged over 85 will require support from hsc services
• meeting this increased demand has become more difficult due to a reduction in government funding to local councils
• this could lead to less local authority funding to support older people to live in their own homes, resulting in an increased number of people needing to live in residential care
• in 2012/13, people over the age of 85 were more likely to access mental health services
• general hospital admissions for people over 85 were twice as more likely to be emergency admissions than for people younger than 65
• home based services were more likely to be accessed by older people, often requiring adaptations to their homes
• these are often very expensive so individuals are often asked to pay a part of the cost, and additional costs can occur for other resources and equipment
• age uk identified that due to an increasing ageing population and government cuts to welfare, there are around 2 million older people with identified care needs who cannot afford access to social care, health and support