GrumbleSmiles

Write a summary of happiness  XXXXXXXX

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This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

The loss of friends is increasingly a factor in later life.  This is particularly true for the older group of older people.  Bereavement is something that fortunately many people have little experience of until they reach their older years.  It can be a particularly challenging time, especially if it involves the loss of a spouse.  60% of the group had experienced bereavement recently.

If ever there was a time that you needed friends around you, this is it and yet many people do not know how to deal with people who are bereaved.

FOOTNOTE:  There’s lots of help and advice available from organisations like Cruse.  A link to their website may be useful.

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

A very disappointing 90% of the group were worried about crime.  This is clearly not acceptable in an Age Friendly City.  At the same time fear of crime is not the same as the incidence of crime.

Just over half the group are fearful of crime sometimes which may be related to time of day or particular locations within the city.  It must also be related to the fact that the majority of this group are single people.

FOOTNOTE:  People’s sense of security could potentially be reduced by linking people together to go out.

This graph distorts the figures which say that half the people would like advice about crime prevention and half would not.

FOOTNOTE:  A YouTube video by the crime prevention service which accurate information on the incidence of crime in Coventry may help dispel some people’s fears.  Equally advice on sensible, simple crime prevention measures may help reassure people.

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

There is a very high level of engagement of this group in the social networks already operating in Coventry.   Nearly 40% of them are members of four or more organisations.  Clearly this is a key mechanism by which people build and retain friendships.

There is significant research evidence that the more older people are involved with clubs and societies, the more likely they are to be happy in retirement (click on this link to see my earlier GrumbleSmiles post on the subject – “Friends Key to Happiness“.

    HERE ARE THE GROUPS THAT OUR CAFE GROUP WERE MEMBERS OF   —  THE BIGGER  WORDS INDICATE GREATER REPRESENTATION  : –

FOOTNOTE:  Information on how often and where these groups meet, is already available, but not necessarily readily accessible unless you are a skilled user of the internet.     An App that lists all upcoming events may be a useful tool, as well as simple links to organisations websites.

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

The overwhelming majority of the group had one or more hobbies.  Not surprisingly there were lots of overlaps between peoples’ interests.     The illustration below shows the range of interests. with the largest words representing the greatest common interests.

FOOTNOTE:      This must be a good basis for further interaction between members of the group.  There may also be opportunities to link people to existing organisations in the city.   That gave us the thought of helping our “experts” to make a YouTube video about GARDEN ideas.

Of course their were many more  —– so we have a myriad of opportunities to connect people .

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

Interestingly Facebook is generally regarded as a young person’s means of communication.  Perhaps surprisingly almost a third of the group are on Facebook.  Although 80% of them are computer users, so it’s still the case that the majority do not use Facebook.

Clearly some people use Facebook to stay in contact, particularly with grandchildren.  But it also opens the book to a wider conversation which may not be on the same wavelength as the older generation.

FOOTNOTE:  It would be worth further exploring the benefits of Facebook for older people.  It’s possible to have a “membership” group with limited access to outside friends.

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

Two thirds of this group have regular contact with friends on a daily or at least weekly basis.  A third only see friends monthly or less which is in sharp contrast in the work environment where you see colleagues regularly.

Even amongst this relatively engaged group of older people, most would like to see more of their friends.  Social contact amongst the younger generation is maintained much more by the use of technology – texting, emailing, Facebook and Skype in particular.Most people in the group certainly feel they have enough self-confidence to make friends easily.  That was evident within the group where most people did not know each other when they arrived but rapidly engaged in conversation.  That said there had to be an event to stimulate the sense of common interest and discussion.

FOOTNOTE:  It seems evident that the use of technology is a key element in reducing social isolation but at the same time there still needs to be opportunities for face to face meetings to open the friendship door.

This is a continuation of the CAFE Happiness survey.    ( Other posts in this series can be found either by clicking on “CAFE Project” in the Tag Cloud or by clicking on  “GrumbleSmiles Trust” in the Topics list)

This is a remarkable result which just highlights the importance that this group of people put on remaining active.  A visit to the shops, a bus trip to the town centre, a ride out in the car or a visit to family, friends and/or neighbours.  Anything that gets you out of the house.

In contrast it illustrates the sense of impairment that older people must feel when their mobility is limited and they are unable to get out as often as they used to.

FOOTNOTE: We need to be mindful that linking people with computers will not necessarily replace the satisfaction of going out and about.

Night time is a very different story for the majority of older people.  Less than a third of them have no fear of going out at night.  Almost half of them fear going out at night sometimes which surely should not be the case in an Age Friendly City.

This must have implications, particularly for leisure and entertainment businesses.  Matinee performances would be much more readily accessible to this group.

FOOTNOTE: May be we should produce an App which specifically lists events that are scheduled to take place during the day.