I WRITE in relation to your report on figures released this week which unveiled the impact that being released from hospital without adequate support is having on our older population ("Elderly at risk after hospital release", The Herald, November 17).
A report to mark the launch of the Let's End Going Home Alone campaign by the Royal Voluntary Services charity found that nearly 200,000 people aged 75 and over returned home from hospital without the support they needed in Britain in the past five years.
This makes for grim reading and it is especially important to remember the human stories behind these figures. People are having to stay in hospital when they don't need to be - this not only dents the individual's quality of life but it is also placing a huge strain on the NHS. Those going home without adequate support are twice as likely to be re-admitted within three months.
There is a huge challenge for social work and support services to undertake to ensure people can continue living in their own homes or in a sheltered housing or care home complex. A joined-up approach is needed and the importance of social contact must be something to be considered in this mix.
Loneliness is a major issue for many older people. A report in 2013 found almost half of people aged 80 and over felt lonely sometimes and this can have as much impact on their health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and that one in 10 patients visit their GP due to loneliness.
Our charity has hundreds of volunteers throughout Scotland who spend time with older people from the Highlands to the Borders. Our monthly afternoon tea parties offer a social lifeline for those aged 75 and over. What may seem a light-hearted activity has an enormous impact on our guests, giving them the chance to enjoy time with people their own age and younger volunteers. Some people's only contact is over the phone or with healthcare professionals, so these monthly outings give them something to look forward to.
We would urge social and healthcare professionals, as well as family members and friends, to consider the social needs of older people as part of promoting and developing a healthy and happy lifestyle. Referring people to charities such as ours can bring very positive results in such a simple way. Our volunteers and guests develop strong relationships which go beyond the regular monthly outings which help to provide a support network and facilitate additional, informal monitoring of the older person's welfare.
Valerie Crookston
Scotland Executive Officer, Contact the Elderly,
c/o 93 George Street, Edinburgh.
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