October 2010

For immediate release

Elderly struggle to have lives worth living

Members of the UK's "oldest old" – the fastest growing and most vulnerable
sector of the UK population – often struggle to have lives worth living,
according to a study compiled by Leeds Met researchers.

The study said that interviews with people aged 80 and over showed that the
care sector fails to address the problems caused by sight loss, one of the
commonest conditions of old age. Care services are "inadequate and
inequitable", says the study, and the frailest elderly "miss out on services that
could help them manage their condition".

The research, a qualitative study, included a literature review followed by in-

depth interviews with 24 frail older people living in care homes and sheltered
housing, and interviews with a manager and two wardens in and around
Leeds.

The research was led by former Leeds Met employee Professor Mima Cattan,
Professor in Public Health at the School of Health, Community and Education
Studies, Northumbria University with key contributions from Dr. Nicola Kimes
and Gianfranco Giuntoli of Leeds Metropolitan University.

Professor Mima Cattan said: "Government regulations are supposed to

provide care and support for all older people but for those with sight loss,
these policies just aren't working."
The research also suggests that hopelessness, low morale and depression
are all linked to sight loss but these were made worse by failings in the care
system. In particular there was a lack of understanding of the consequences
of sight loss, with some older people saying they felt "unwelcome" in care
homes, and a failure to ensure communication, with some people saying
trying to communicate was exhausting, difficult and occasionally
embarrassing.

"As the population ages there will be more and more frail older people
struggling with sight loss, yet many care and support professionals simply do
not recognise their needs," added Dr Angela McCullagh, research and
development director at the Thomas Pocklington Trust. "When many of our
oldest old give up their independence and still don't get the practical help they
need there is obviously something wrong with the system. What's needed is a
care sector that provides adequate support as well as helping people hang on
to their individuality."

Ends

For further details please contact Carrie Braithwaite in the News and Media
team at Leeds Met on 0113 812 3022 or email c.braithwaite@leedsmet.ac.uk

Notes for editors:

 Leeds Metropolitan University has 30,000 students and over 300,000

associate students through its partnerships with 24 colleges.
 The University has achieved its best ever Research Assessment
Exercise results. Sports-Related Studies is in the top 6 institutions in
the country with research rated at the highest levels of 4* and 3*.
 The University’s award-winning learning environments include the
iconic Rose Bowl building, awarded Best Commercial Property
Development in the 2009 Yorkshire Property Awards; Broadcasting
 Place, winner of the 2010 Leeds Architecture Awards New Building
category and the pioneering Carnegie Village student accommodation.
 Leeds Metropolitan is one of only a handful of UK universities to have
been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard.
 The University is home to The UK Centre for Coaching Excellence for
sport and disability sport and is 2nd in the British University and
Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings.