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)

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.

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.