Meeting the needs of socially isolated older people in RBKC, Central West london
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Healthwatch Central West London (HCWL) conducted a review into social isolation and loneliness of older people across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC).
Information and feedback collected from organisations and services working with older people and people with experience of social isolation, loneliness or older age.
Healthwatch Central West London (HCWL) organised an event called ‘Meeting the needs of socially isolated older people in RBKC’ and developed a questionnaire co-designed with older people. Dignity Champions visited several care homes and residential settings talking to residents and staff.
Main findings:
• Identify those most at risk of social isolation & loneliness
• Identify organisations and services likely to encounter older isolated or lonely people
• Campaign to End Loneliness developed a framework in collaboration with Age UK to inform strategic, whole systems approaches to addressing loneliness.
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Recommendations:
• Consider language used when addressing social isolation and loneliness.
• Fewer pilot projects and more long-term projects commissioned.
• Provide opportunities for people to use their skills and expertise.
• GPs and other health professionals to receive Carers Awareness Training.
• Introduce consistent measures or guidelines for care homes in RBKC.
• Care homes to comply with Independent Age’s ‘8 care home quality indicators’.
• Care Home Managers to be linked up with ‘My Care, My Way’.
• Social Care Assistants and GPs to receive training around identifying and responding to domestic abuse.
• Organisations working with older victims of domestic violence to ensure support is tailored to the needs of the older population.
• Paid carers to receive training on addressing social isolation and loneliness.
• Care agencies should provide consistent carers.
• Taking time to talk.
• Developing a community assets approach to addressing social isolation and loneliness in RBKC.
• Increased engagement around ‘My Care, My Way’ through the voluntary sector.
• Provide information in a range of ways.
• Provide opportunities to learn how to use computers and the internet.
• Update the RBKC website.
• Involve older people in the development of new services and producing new information.
• Organise a platform for sharing information among organisations working with older people.