The Elderly

1
The Elderly

• Meeting the Health Needs of The Elderly

2
Health Needs of the Elderly

• Eyesight (85 000 people in Scotland aged 65 have
  a sight problem,90 of all people aged 75 have a
  sight problem.)
• Hearing (43 of over 75s have hearing problems
  528 000)
• Mobility (climbing stairs or moving about, 42of
  those aged 60-74 and 50 of those aged 75 have a
  limiting health problem or a disability)

3
Health Needs Continued

• Dementia (There are approximately 61 700 people
  with dementia in Scotland. 92 are aged 65. By
  the year 2011 it is estimated that 67 500 people
  will have dementia.)
• Hospital (Over 65s occupy nearly 1/2 of NHS
  hospital beds, 70 of people who stay in hospital
  after a fall are 65)

4
Health Needs Continued

• 63 of people who are ill or frail aged 85 live
  in their own homes
• Over 50 of elderly people have no care needs
• Of those aged 100 around 25 have no limiting
  long-term illness

5
Meeting the Needs

• Central Government - NHS
• free NHS prescriptions
• help with costs of NHS dental treatment
• free NHS sight tests (everyone 60) and help with
  the costs of glasses
• attendance allowance
• help with costs of fares to and from hospital for
  treatment
• flu jabs and inhalers

6
Meeting the Needs Continued

• Local Authorities
• -Social Work Department (home helps, meals on
  wheels, etc.)
• -Housing Department (sheltered housing)
• Voluntary Organisations (care and assistance,
  campaigns, outings)
• Private Companies (health insurance, nursing
  homes, sheltered housing, etc.)

7
Technology

• Advances in technology can prolong life or
  increase the quality of life for some elderly.
• AT HOME
• Electric chair lifts
• Bath hoists or lifts
• Aid call alarm buttons
• powered vehicles
• better and more discrete hearing aids

8
Technology Continued

• IN HOSPITAL
• Surgery - complicated operations e.g heart bypass
  and key hole surgery
• Intensive care - monitoring
• Hip and joint replacements
• Advanced body scanners
• Cataract microsurgery