Wednesday 13 June 2018 OlderCarersNI Paschal McKeown Charity Director Age NI OlderCarersNI Inspire Enable Support What We Do 11 3 Staying well feeling good We are living longer ID: 1044491
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1. Too ill for caring: Health and wellbeing among older carers in Northern IrelandWednesday 13 June 2018#OlderCarersNI
2. Paschal McKeownCharity DirectorAge NI#OlderCarersNI
3. Inspire Enable Support What We Do113
4. Staying well, feeling goodWe are living longer16% of the population are over 65 years old.2% of the population are over 85 years old.By 2028 the older people population will be larger than the number of children in NI.By 2041 almost one in four people will be aged 64 or over.But healthy life expectancy is not increasing at the same rate.
5. CarersOver 15,000 people aged 70 years and over provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care every week.Over 400 of carers are aged 90 years or older64% of carers are female in their 50sAmong the 65-74 years age group: 14% of men aged 75 years or over are carers, compared with 11% of women of that age.A little bit of caring responsibility can have a positive impact on one’s; too much can be bad for one’s wellbeing and health.
6. Equal access to services?Cancer is more common in later life.One third of all cancers are diagnosed in people aged 75+.Studies show fewer diagnostic and staging procedures and less treatment is carried out with advancing age.Evidence of ageist attitudes.Implications for carers?
7. Early interventionand supportLow awareness of increase risk as we get older Ensuring treatment decisions for older people are based on need rather than age. Improving early diagnosis for maximising chances for long-term survival.Our cancer services must meet the needs of our ageing population.Equal access to services and support for older carers and their loved ones
8. Joan McEwanHead of Policy and Public AffairsMarie Curie Northern Ireland#OlderCarersNI
9. Health status of older carers3x more likely to be in bad or very bad health 2x more likely to worry about health
10. Physical health impactExisting serious health issues Exacerbate symptoms of ageing Self care suffersMore likely than others to expect further deterioration
11. Mental health impactIncreased mental ill-healthLinked to hours of care University College London (2018). The emotional wellbeing of older carers
12. Mental health impact contdLiving bereavement“You’re grieving by losing part of the person everyday.”Social isolation “My life is on hold. I can’t make any plans. I can’t leave. I don’t have anyone to talk to.”
13. Financial issuesCarers Allowance provides inadequate supportCarers having to cut back on food and heatingCarers with financial issues more likely to feel physical and mental impact of caring
14. Impact of bereavementGreater mental impact Prolonged Grief DisorderFuneral arrangements
15. “Caring for a loved one at the end of their life can be both distressing and challenging. Carers often have to manage patients’ personal and practical care, their physical symptoms such as pain, and sometimes patient’s anxiety and depression, while dealing with their own feelings of loss” – Professor Gunn Grande, Professor of Palliative Care, University of Manchester
16. Clare-Anne MageeGeneral ManagerCarers NI#OlderCarersNI
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18. State of older carers in NI 2018 findings18% of our respondents from NI were 65 yrs+ 41% had been caring for 15 years or more23% had been caring for between 5-9 years81% were caring for over 70hrs per week 74% were retired19% looked after more than one person81% were looking after someone aged 65yrs+
19. Main issues from findingsNot getting right information or supportWorried about the futureMental and physical health getting worse as a result of their caring role
20. “I feel frightened and alone. People come and go leaving leaflets – I could paper a room with them – but no relevant help or understanding of how I’m coping”“I am now housebound with her 7 days a week”“I no longer have time to myself” “my husband’s condition has got much worse. I have to exist on very little sleep and can no longer attend church or hospital appointments. I have no family or friends who can help. I feel afraid”“where do I go to get help if I become ill and can’t look after them?”
21. How do we keep older carers healthy and connected?Health and care professionals identifying older carersAccess to the right information and support at the right timeMore opportunities for older carers to come togetherAgeing workforce supported by employers and the social care system