1. Safeguarding the ‘Oldest Old’
Richard Powley
Head of Safeguarding
Age UK

2. England’s changing demographic

3. “Life is not over once you hit 85
“Life is not over once you hit 85. In fact, most people over this age are rather independent, feel that their health is good, enjoy a good quality of life, and have more than a few years of life left”
(Understanding the Oldest Old - Age UK 2013).

4. Why do old people always sit by me on the bus?! I'm peado bate I swear
I hope I don't smell like old people when I'm old
hate when old people smell of wee
Old people that win money should be forced to hand it over
Eastbourne we are over run with old people

5. Old people remind me of cute little pugs
Find old people so cute
Old people are so nice and chatty, aww
These sick f***s who abuse old people need to be shot!

6. HSCIC: 2012-13 Adult Safeguarding
18-64: 40% 65-74: 12% 75-84: 22% 85 and over 26%

7. Men over 85: Increased risk of physical and financial abuse Women over 85: Increased risk of neglect (UK Study of Abuse and Neglect of Older People Prevalence Survey Report)

8. Even minor injuries can cause serious and permanent damage
Physical abuse
Physical abuse can be especially serious because older people’s bones are thinner and take longer to heal
Even minor injuries can cause serious and permanent damage

9. Hillcroft Nursing Home

10. Financial abuse & scams

11. 62% approached by unscrupulous cold callers or doorstep sales people
Scams prevalence
70% of older people routinely targeted by rogue traders over the telephone
40% of older people in the UK with dementia regularly targeted by scam mail
62% approached by unscrupulous cold callers or doorstep sales people

12. Neglect

13. Domestic Abuse

14. Local Domestic Abuse policies should specifically include older people
The needs of older people who experience domestic abuse are different
Be aware of, and understand the new definition of domestic abuse and understand potential remedies such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders
psychological
physical
sexual
financial
emotional

15. Draft Care Bill

16. Abandon the ‘deficit conception of ageing’
What can we do?
Abandon the ‘deficit conception of ageing’
Make sure dignity and respect for the oldest old are part of any services
Identify what makes the difference between services for the oldest old that effectively prevent abuse and those that fail to do this

17. Consider Domestic Abuse.
What can we do?
Consider Domestic Abuse.
For many older people this will be the first contact they have had with social services. Be sensitive.

18. Think about the positive outcomes that the draft Care Bill may have
What can we do?
Think about the positive outcomes that the draft Care Bill may have
Support your local Age UK – they have great resources and access to great insight!

19. Gabriel Garcia Marquez
“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams”