Ageing Well Survey 2024

This was the first survey to include extra questions about the themes of the Ageing Well Plan 2022 - 2027.

The survey was launched on 20th March and closed on the 21st May 2024 to coincide with 'Ageism Action Day'.

Health and Wellbeing Board - Ageing Well

• The goal is for 'Older people (to) have strong social networks and live in vibrant communities'.
• This is measured by the increase in the percentage of older people who:
  • agree or strongly agree that they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood.
• This survey was carried out to establish a baseline.

Survey details

• This was online, but paper copies were available on request.
• There were two parts:
  1. Questions about neighbourhood and belonging.
  2. Optional questions about the Ageing Well Plan themes.
• 87% of people chose to answer at least one set of additional questions.

Number of responses

There were 535 in total:

• 531 online.
• 4 paper.

Response

By demographic group

• Age. People broadly represented the Calderdale population in terms of age. Although those aged 50 to 55 and the over 80s were slightly down.
• Gender. Women were overrepresented (69.5%) compared to the Calderdale population (52.5% Women, 47.5% Men).
• Ethnicity.
  • The largest response was from White British (95%), who account for 94.5% of the 50 plus population in Calderdale.
  • Asian, Asian British respondents (the second largest 50 plus population in Calderdale at 4.1%) were underrepresented.
• Activity limitation. There was a higher proportion of respondents whose activity is limited due to health or disability compared to the Calderdale over 50 population (37.7% verses 27.2%).

By ward

• The largest response by ward was from Calder and Todmorden (12.4%), then Skircoat (9.8%).
• The lowest response rate was from Town (5.8%) and Park (0.2%).
• Calder (6.8%) and Skircoat (6.7%) have the highest numbers of 50 plus residents.
• Town (5.7%) and Park (4%) have the lowest numbers of 50 plus residents.

By theme

Belonging and Community

• 53% felt that they strongly or very strongly belong to their local neighbourhood. 31% responded neutral.
• 48% agree or strongly agree that people in their neighbourhood pull together to improve the area. 28% responded neutral.
• 58% chat to their neighbours most days of the week or at least once or twice a week. 17% speak to their neighbours less than once a month. 3% responded that they never speak to neighbours more than just saying hello.
• 70% agree or strongly agree that there are people who are there if they needed help.
• 63% agree or strongly agree that if they wanted company or to socialise, there are people they can call on.

What are we doing

• Support for improved connection through development of older people's information on the Community Information Directory.
• Work with partners to promote activities and events that:
  • give older people the chance to feel more connected;
  • and develop a sense of belonging to community.
• Support Community and Resident Voice activity to listen to older people and to 'test and learn' age friendly projects.
• Develop Ageing Well Champions and Older People's Panel programme across different localities. To promote age friendly practices and gather feedback from older people about how they want to age well in Calderdale.

Parks and Green Spaces

• 85% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the parks and open spaces are easy to get to.
• 65% agreed or strongly agreed that parks and open spaces in their area are attractive.
• 60% agreed or strongly agreed that parks and open spaces met their needs.
• 60% agree or strongly agree that the parks and open spaces in their local area are safe.
• Comments were generally positive, praising the parks teams, although general maintenance and anti-social behaviour were recurrent themes.

What are we doing

• Accessibility audits by Visits Unlimited at several parks and open spaces in Calderdale. This is supported by Community Anchor Organisations, Active Calderdale, Calderdale Community Foundation and Culturedale.
• Support for development of Access Guides, and Walk and Wheel-Ability guides.
• Active Calderdale Safer Parks for Women and Girls programme also creates safer parks for older people.
• Our Safer, Cleaner, Greener Team works closely with communities and Friends of/Parks association groups. This is to support improvements, maintenance and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Digital

• This survey was conducted online. The responses are reflective of the sample having access to a digital device and confidence in using the internet.
• 92% of respondents have access to a smartphone, 73% have access to a laptop and 60% have access to a tablet. Less than 1% did not have access to a digital device.
• 99% have access to the internet at home.
• Banking (80%), followed by entertainment (76%) and finding out about local events (73%) were the top 3 reasons for using the internet.
• 90% are very confident or confident in using the internet.

What are we doing

• The digital team are working through the Digital Inclusion Network and the Anti-Poverty Network to reduce digital exclusion amongst older people.
• Partnered with AbilityNet to provide free and impartial advice and support for older people to get online and access / use assistive technology.
• Supporting Get Online Week activities in partnership with Age UK, adults social care and Staying Well organisations.

Employment (and Volunteering)

• 224 of the 535 people who responded to the survey were of working age. 199 of the 224 (89%) answered the questions on employment.
• Of those that did respond 73% stated that their employer offered flexible working options.
• 42% replied 'yes' to there being adequate learning or training opportunities for older people.
• 94% of working age respondents had not heard of 50+ Employment Champions.
• 37% have taken part in formal volunteering activity in the last year.
• 34% have taken part in informal volunteering activity in the last year.

What are we doing

• Signed up for and promoting the Centre for Ageing Better Age Friendly Employers Pledge.
• Working to improve health and wellbeing at work under the Fair Work Charter.
• Working with 50 Plus Employment Champions to promote opportunities for employment, training, volunteering and workplace wellbeing – including the midlife MOT.

Transport, pavements, cycling and parking

• When asked if public transport is reliable, easy to use and takes me to where I want to go.
  • 36% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
  • 27% were neutral.
  • 27% agreed or strongly agreed.
• 45% agreed or strongly agreed that pavements in their area are suitable for their needs. 35% disagreed or strongly disagreed. Trip Hazards and pavement parking were the most commented on issues by respondents.
• 43% disagree or strongly disagree that roads in their area are suitable for cycling. Potholes and driver behaviour were the most commented on issues by respondents.
• 54% selected N/A in response to needing accessible parking. 23% stated that it is sometimes or always difficult to find accessible parking. Lack of space and suitable accessible parking were the most commented on issues by respondents.

What are we doing

• Transport planning team and Co-Production and Engagement Lead supporting the development of a Transport & Mobility Group. The group will aim to bring together other transport and mobility interest groups and feed into the work of WYCA.
• The Improved Streets for People projects are improving walkability and cycling infrastructure across different zones in North Halifax.
• The Adult Cycle Scheme is providing courses to improve ability and confidence to cycle in Calderdale.

Housing

• 87% of respondents own their property outright or with a mortgage. 13% rent their property.
• 45% believe their home is suitably adapted to meet their needs as they age.
• 90% receive no support to live independently at home.
• 1% have accessed the Disabled Facility Grant for adaptations.
• 3.2% have accessed the Energy Efficiency Grant.
• 20% have had their home assessed for fire safety or crime prevention.

What are we doing

• New homes to be built to M4(2) standard to ensure adaptability for ageing or disability.
• Promote property adaptation grants using the DFG.
• Damp, mould and condensation checks included in healthy homes assessment. Also, the promotion of energy efficiency advice and grants, which is supported by cost of living and anti-poverty network.
• Adoption of the WYCA Dementia Ready Homes standard for new homes and viable properties in refurbishment programmes to meet Dementia Ready standards.
• Influencing planning policy and local plan standards to include age friendly standards through Health Impact Assessments.
• Promotion of 'Rightsizing' opportunities in Calderdale.
• Support from WYFS/WYPS and Age UK for 'Safe and Well' visits.

Community support and health services

• 63% know where to find information about health services.
• 90% have been invited for an NHS Health Check.
• 97% have not accessed befriending services.
• 95% have not accessed frailty or falls services.
• 94% have not accessed dementia support.
• 90% have not accessed any of the Warm Spaces in Calderdale.

What are we doing

• Improve access to information for older people through the:
  • Community Information Directory;
  • and Integrated Health and Wellbeing Support for Adults offer.
• Ageing Well Practitioners, Social Prescribers and other health and wellbeing practitioners that offer:
  • group;
  • and one-to-one support for referral/connection to services.
• NHS Health Check providing a more targeted approach to those in need. Older people with a diagnosed condition and/or over the age of 75 automatically invited to annual check.
• Promote Falls Prevention awareness and services in Calderdale.
• Promote lifestyle advice and guidance and 'Finding Your Feet' courses.
• Promote Dementia Hub and CDFC support through the Steering Group. Good brain health through lifestyle promotion.
• Cost of living and anti-poverty support network, to promote healthy homes and energy efficiency with partners like Green Doctor.

Things to do (leisure, culture and social activity)

• 74% of people find out about things to do in Calderdale via the Internet. This increases to 89% when including Calderdale Forum 50 Plus. 28% find out from newsletters whist 26% find out from flyers.
• Information about arts and culture is accessed most often (67%). Followed by music (60%) and physical activity (58%).
• 46% take part in organised physical activity more than once a week, once a week or 2-3 times a month.

What are we doing

• Improve access to information about activities for older people through the Community Information Directory.
• Work with Active Calderdale to promote exercise and physical activity for older people.
• Promote activities and events through awareness days and weeks.
• Support community and voluntary groups to host activities through small grants schemes.
• Promote leisure and cultural activities provided and hosted by our leisure and library services.

Next steps

• Share the results of the survey with Ageing Well Board, priority leads, partners and the community.
• Agree areas for focus with board, priority leads and partners.
• Review survey questions with priority leads, community partners and older people to consider better/different questions for future surveys.
• Review survey distribution and propose more targeted approach to improve uptake across localities and populations.
• It is proposed that future surveys are aligned to the International Day of Older People, starting in October 2025.

Contact

For more details, please contact Justin Magner, Senior Public Health Practitioner:

• Email: Justin.magner@calderdale.gov.uk.
• Phone: 07745 206164 (mobile).