New resource highlights conditions of older people

• Around 20 % of the population in the EHSSB area is aged 60 or over
• Around a third of people aged 60 and over in the area live alone
• 42 % of people over 50 report good health, while 44 % report a long term limiting illness
• 69 % of people over 60 in the area have no access to a car
• Around a fifth of people over 60 see friends and family less often than once a month

These figures and much more information on older people in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area (incorporating Ards, Belfast, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn and North Down), are available in a new report, Older People: Health, social and living conditions, developed by Belfast Healthy Cities. The report is the first to collate information on older people in the area in one place and also highlight gaps in available information. It is intended both as a guide to highlight older people’s conditions, and a resource that can be used in day to day work, planning and service development. Information included covers topics from demographic characteristics and health status to transport issues, community safety and social inclusion.

Belfast Healthy Cities is a partnership organisation working to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Belfast, by making health a priority for the city. For further information, or copies of the publication please contact Caroline Scott on 028 9032 8811 or caroline@belfasthealthycities.com. The publications are also available online at www.belfasthealthycities.com.