GrumbleSmiles

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)

Nearly 70 % of our group do some type of voluntary work every week and a further 14% volunteer monthly.    This underlines the value of the older generations’ contribution to society and sharply contradicts the view of them as a burden !

FOOTNOTE :-     Half of them are prepared to give a day a week of their           time.    Our challenge will be to come up with an ongoing project that could capture their imagination and involvement.

This is continued feedback on the CAFE group Introduction survey.   (see previous posts by clicking on ” CAFE Project ” in the Tag Cloud )

Surprisingly for this age group, 87% of the CAFE group had some computer skills and 41% of them rated their skills as high.  This is much higher than you would expect in the general population of older people.   Many of the group had been using computers at work.  Equally many of them had bought a computer when they retired which now means they may not have the latest and fastest technology.  Only a quarter of them had an iPad or similar tablet devise.

Quotes from the “EXPERTS”  :-

Benefits

–          Motivation for use – being in touch with relatives

–          Way of preventing isolation if taught how to use correctly

–          Games / live information, i.e. buses

–          Physical benefit of using keyboard rather than pen / voice recognition software

–          Usefulness of email (faster communication) – however it can become a nuisance

–          Some people have no interest in technology – target those who do, but demonstrate to others

–          Technology needs to be designed for older people and not ‘techies’

Disadvantages

–          Managed without one, why is there a need to get one now?

–          Key barrier is lack of understanding of how to use

–          Reducing face to face communication / communicating with a screen rather than a ‘real person’

–          Some people are unable to use ICT for long periods of time due to health / mobility problems

–          Expense of broadband – if cheaper more may have it

–          Expense of investing in actual device – tablet or computer – is it worth it?

–          The communicating party must also have computer or tablet and broadband (or access to this)

–          Using technology doesn’t come easily to someone over 70 (like it would to someone aged 25)

–          Fear of using internet to make purchases – some like to see goods before buying

Footnote:-  This means that if we were to use touch screen technology, we would undoubtedly  have to provide the group with up to date computers before they could be persuaded to purchase new technology, even if they could afford it.

Around 80% of the group use Google and have Broadband, and use email a lot or sometimes.  This would indicate a relatively high level of computer knowledge and use compared to the general population of older people.

Only 40% of the group use Skype and an even smaller percentage (15%) use it a lot.  This is probably not surprising given the fact the majority of people in this group regularly have contact with family and friends.  Skype is likely more often to be used to remain in touch with more remote family and friends.

Quotes from the “EXPERTS” :-

–          Skype is great – seeing someone makes you feel less isolated

Footnote:-   If we see Skype as a key tool in connecting new friends in the City, we would have to find an easy way to do this. Possibly using grand-children or University students to set up the first connections.

The vast majority of the group had used the internet to make purchases predominantly books, holidays and other products.

Interestingly grocery shopping was only used by one person, mainly because of concerns about quality and substitution of goods.  Grocery shopping was also a good reason to go out and so having things delivered to their home wasn’t always seen as an advantage by this mobile and active group.  That would no doubt be different for an older and more frail group providing the other issues were overcome.

This is continued feedback on the CAFE group Introduction survey.   (see previous posts by clicking on ” CAFE Project ” in the Tag Cloud )

69% of the group describe themselves as religious and half were members of a church or faith group.  This is significantly higher than the general population.  Being a member of a church or faith group retain links with the wider community.  Many churches will arrange domiciliary visits to offer spiritual support to members of their congregation.  Volunteers are often available to provide transport to and from services.

Footnote:-   Many churches provide social events, fetes and other activities which reach beyond their congregation.

We could develop an APP which identifies opportunities to link with local church activities.

This is continued feedback on the CAFE group Introduction survey.   (see previous posts by clicking on ” CAFE Project ” in the Tag Cloud )

Over three quarters of the group go out everyday which I think is surprisingly high.  No doubt this is helped by the fact that in this first CAFE group, 59% of them were still driving.  97% of the group went out every week.  This clearly suggests that there is a clear motivation for older people to get out of the house if they can.  No doubt these figures would be significantly different for an older and more frail group of older people.

The implications of this are clearly important in terms of the availability of public transport and later survey questions also examine people’s fear of going out.

This is continued feedback on the CAFE group Introduction survey.   (see previous posts by clicking on ” CAFE Project ” in the Tag Cloud )

This section of the survey examined the possible barriers to Coventry becoming an Age Friendly City.

Going out on your own is clearly a concern for many people.  Only a quarter didn’t see lack of a companion as a problem.

Quotes from the “EXPERTS” :-

–          Differences between men and women – some women cope better than men; men may need a catalyst / somewhere to go

–          Some people wouldn’t go out without anyone else

–          Is there anything worth going out for? Poor shopping offer. High cost of entertainment

–          Lack of community – not much chatting – but people will talk if you talk to them – sometimes making the first move can reap benefits

Footnote:-  Linking people together to go out or to go to events would obviously be a major benefit.  At the same time it is important for this generation to distinguish this from a “dating” site.  It would also be important to screen people who are interested in meeting other CAFE members which may be possible to do using Skype.  Criminal Records Bureau Checks is also an issue that needs consideration.

Transport and travel were a barrier in the minds of half of the group.  Issues were raised about the infrequency of some bus services and also the distance some people have to travel to a convenient bus service.  On a more positive note, several people mentioned that some bus stops were a very good place to meet people.

Perhaps not surprisingly the other half of the group didn’t see it as a problem quite possibly because they were still active car users.

Quotes from the ” EXPERTS” :-

–          The most isolated of people may not know about transport

–          Higher isolation for those who are less mobile (ring and ride is now a chargeable service)

–          Some bus routes are less regular – particularly at night to and from the city centre

–          Bus stops as social space

–          Parking is an issue – disabled parking; picking up / dropping off zones

Footnote :-  There’s obviously an opportunity to link people with cars to those who see transport as a barrier.

Information about bus timetables is already available on the internet but an easy to use APP for Coventry may be something we should consider.

The vast majority of this group were retired and 61% said that the fact they were no longer working was no barrier to remaining connected.   However the fact that they were no longer connected to work colleagues may be a reason why 39% said not working was a potential barrier.

Nearly 60% of this group didn’t see money as a barrier.  Less than 20% said it was a barrier and a further 24% saw it partly as barrier.

Quotes from the “EXPERTS” :-

–          A problem for some people

–          Others with money may be reluctant to spend and instead save for a ‘rainy day’, security for the future, inheritance for children/grandchildren

–          Some people compare prices to those a few years ago

Footnote:-   An APP which identifies free or concessionary events in the city may be useful to people who see money as a barrier.

Nearly half the group saw lack of confidence as a potential barrier to being more connected.  This is not surprising given that a majority of the group are women and many of them are single.

Quotes from the “EXPERTS” :-

–          Transport / bumps on road and breaks in pavements cause problems

–          Lack of confidence when going out at night – judgemental about younger people

–          Not helped by infrequent transport

–          Could be related to the way services are delivered, e.g. in a person’s own home

The majority of the group (62%) had no fear of going out but 37% had some fear of going out which should not be the case in an age friendly situation.  What needs to be further examined is whether the fears were real or imagined and whether they were specific to particular locations in the city.

39% of this group saw health issues as being a barrier to remaining connected and the same number identified mobility problems as a barrier.

Footnote:- In summary the most significant issues for those people who had concerns about remaining connected were lack of a companion, lack of confidence and difficulties with transport.    Given the relatively high level of car ownership and use within this group, it’s not difficult to imagine the benefits of a mechanism to connect people with cars with single people who lack the confidence to go out on their own.

This could be based on a Skype connection between members of a CAFE Club who share information about each other’s interests and skills.

xxxxheader

In terms in remaining in close contact with family, the good news is that half the CAFE group meet up with them weekly or daily and 80% of them at least speak to them weekly or daily.  This is a very positive result for half the group.

The not so good news is that the other half of the group only meet up with close relatives monthly or less – possibly because their children have moved away.  Furthermore 20% of this latter group only speak to their relatives monthly or less.

Footnote:-   Although currently only 40% of the group use Skype, making this available to the whole of this group would enable them to maintain more regular visual contact with relatives as well as friends.

In the CAFE group in terms of other links 64% of them had three or more close friends.  Leaving 36% two or less close friends.  In a less active and less mobile group, you might expect these numbers to be reversed.

MAKING FRIENDS

About two thirds of the group said they made friends easily whereas the remaining third said that they didn’t.

Footnote:-  The survey group meetings themselves generated a lot of discussion and interaction between people and there’s no doubt that friendships could easily be made in CAFE groups but there has to be a trigger to get the discussion started.  It’s not difficult to see that after this new relationships could easily develop.

This is continued feedback on the CAFE group Introduction survey.   (see previous posts by clicking on ” CAFE Project ” in the Tag Cloud )

87% of people were in one or more clubs, groups or societies and 44% were in three or more, which is very positive and probably reflects the more active and mobile group we are talking to.  It must be a great opportunity to share experience and potentially make new introductions.

Footnote:-  It will be good to have a list of the clubs, groups and societies that the current CAFE group members belong to.

We could develop an APP that provides links to all the Coventry clubs for older people, if it doesn’t already exist.