Chapters

Our JSNA chapters consider the current and future health and social care needs of specific topics.

You can download the following topic-specific chapters as accessible Word documents:

Resources

Here are some useful links for further information and data related to enabling our older population to live independently and well. These resources are from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) online tool called Fingertips.

Context

The population of Medway is ageing. The number of people aged 65 and over will increase during the next decade.

Older people are at higher risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as:

  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • dementia.

And they are more likely to become high users of health care services. This is likely to result in a substantial increase in costs to the health and social care system.

Preventing chronic conditions and improving care will help to reduce or limit the number of high-intensity users of services and reduce the costs to the health and social care system.

Social isolation, while not limited to older people, is another important aspect of improving health and wellbeing.

Many older people prefer to live in their own home for as long as they can and to do so they may need additional support. There have also been increasing numbers of older people who need specialist accommodation that combines support, care and housing provision.

Carers play an essential role in supporting older people and their role will become increasingly important as the older population increases.