The findings of a survey of people aged over 55 who live in Coventry undertaken by researchers at Coventry University for Coventry City Council, NHS Coventry and a range of other local organisations, including Age Concern Coventry, are to be published by Coventry's Older People's Partnership at a conference on 4 October at the Coventry Transport Museum. 

The purpose of the survey was to find out about the health, well-being and aspirations of people over 55 living in Coventry. The findings of the survey will be used by the Coventry Older People's Partnership, City Council, NHS Coventry and other local organisations to help plan for older people in Coventry over the next few years.

Over 1,500 local people completed a questionnaire, some 2% of people aged 55 and over living in Coventry. 

Dr Guy Daly, Associate Dean at Coventry University and who oversaw the work of the research team, said that the main findings were that:

·  Overall, most people reported that they were enjoying life. 

·  Most people reported that their health was 'good', though, health declined with age. Also, people from minority ethnic groups were less likely to describe their health as 'good'.

·  Most people took some form of exercise, particularly walking, gardening and housework.  People aged 75 and over were less likely to take regular exercise. Those people who said that they did not take regular exercise said the main reason for this was that illness or disability prevented it.

·  Large numbers of people wanted to change their current lifestyle by losing (or gaining) weight, taking more exercise and improving their diet.

·  People generally knew where to get advice on personal health related issues. 

·  Poor sight, hearing and mobility affected a significant minority of people and their ability to do the things they wanted to do.

·  People said that they were able to look after themselves, or said that they got the help they needed for this. However, there was a small group of people who said that they had no one to help with 'heavy' tasks such as gardening, home maintenance and changing light bulbs or moving furniture. 

·  A total of 252 people said that they cared for someone else and, on average, they did this for about 55 hours per week. But 25% of carers said they were providing over 100 hours of care a week. All of those who reported that they were carers also said that they made use of the Coventry Carers' Centre. 

·  Being a carer, retired, troubled by loneliness or by living with illness or disability, not having enough money to live on, or not feeling productive, all had an impact on whether people were enjoying life or not.

·  People said that reduced crime levels in their area, having more money to live on, and having more information about local services and activities would most improve their quality of life."

Supporting Coventry's Older People

In response to the survey's findings, Councillor O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Community Services said:

"We welcome the survey findings and are already doing a number of things to ensure older people continue to be supported in later life.  What is heartening to learn is that most people reported that they were enjoying life. In Coventry our promoting independence philosophy is based on people of all ages making decisions for themselves and retaining choice and control over how they live their lives for as long as possible."

In response to the survey's findings, Lissa Clarke, Older Person Representative on Coventry Older People's Partnership said:

"As a member of the Older People's Partnership, I want the partnership to take the recommendations from the survey on board and make some of the suggestions happen."

In response to the survey's findings, Rachel Upton, Older People's Partnership Manager, Coventry City Council and NHS Coventry said:

"The survey has given us the opportunity to hear the voice and views of a wider number of people over 55 in the city. In Coventry we have a range of ways that we involve local people and users of local health and social care services, and it is really good that 345 people who completed the survey said they would like to take part in future consultation.

It has also given us a wider picture of people's lives and aspirations as they get older, which will enable us to work together to ensure that Coventry is a city for people of all ages."

For more information about Coventry University, please visit their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk