Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
The purpose of this study was to give a descriptive account of the characteristics of elderly persons living in Telford, to estimate the level of need for specific services (including housing), to assess the level of provision for the elderly in Telford and to estimate the extent of unmet need for services and support.
Main Topics:
Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions Satisfaction with general state of health, details of illnesses or conditions which make life difficult. Whether registered as disabled, whether in receipt of a disability pension, whether illness is worse at different times of the year. Frequency of depression, whether treatment received, whether inability to cope felt through depression, whether ever experienced a nervous breakdown (date), whether treatment received in hospital. Whether ever been housebound or bedridden, number of times during last 12 months, duration of confinement. If in hospital - whether still attending out-patients' clinic. Problems with mobility, any special equipment used to aid mobility in home or garden/outside home, situations in which mobility problems occur (e.g. climbing stairs, bending). Details of domestic work, problems and difficulties. Interviewer's assessment of physical ability, whether help received/desired (type), who provided help and who respondent would like. Help given to others by respondent, whether paid or voluntary, distance travelled. Mealtime arrangements and preferences, use and opinion of the 'Meals on Wheels' service. Problems with height, position or design of equipment/fittings in the home and suggested improvements, problems encountered visiting various places (reasons for any inability), methods of travel, help required. Reasons for non-use of any services. Details of service provided by nurse/district nurse where appropriate. Date of last consultation with doctor (reasons and location). Details of difficulties with, treatment for and aids for hearing and sight. Whether calls from health visitor desired, respondent's opinion of convalescent holiday and loan of equipment services, whether prepared to pay for service. Type of heating in home (at present and preferred), reasons for non-implementation of choice, opinion of an emergency service, whether press button or telephone preferred. Lifestyle preference if unable to manage alone, any existing places respondent considers ideal. Background Variables Age of respondent, head of household and other household members, employment status of all household members, occupation of head of household. Total household income per week, type of dwelling, number of bedrooms.
Stratified, random sample of households in the designated area, plus all old persons in two small g
Face-to-face interview
