1. Working with Older people
January 2017

2. Working with older communities
The term ‘older’ means different things to different people, but this guide is primarily focused on people aged 65 and over, though many of the points raised will be relevant to people below that age.
The UK Government indicates that over 10 million people in the UK are aged 65 years or over. This figure will double by People are living longer, healthier lives, but in later life many people will nonetheless experience a range of degenerative impairments and disabilities that affect general health, vision, hearing, cognition and mobility.
It is widely recognised that some older people are vulnerable to financial exploitation, because they rely on others to deal with their money management issues.
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3. A key principle to remember
NIACE (National Institute for Adult Continuing Education) noted that
“The management of money is becoming more sophisticated and complex, particularly with the increased reliance on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Older people are less likely to be involved in the ICT revolution, which can then exclude them from participating in current money practices and limit their ability to access financial information available in an ICT format.”
For this reason, many financial capability projects for older people include a digital element to the training.
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4. How do we engage these clients?
Step One – Review your existing knowledge and skills
Do you already have experience of working with older communities?
Identify partners and trusted intermediaries
Have you had experience of delivering skills training to older people?
Do you have links with local services for older people, such as AGE UK?
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5. How do we engage these clients?
Step Two – Outreach and engagement
Find venues where older groups already meet regularly
Elder abuse and safety are real concerns
Your local authority
Identify any wider access needs
Try to link your training to the provision of other services
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6. How do we engage these clients?
Step Three – Preparing resources
Materials need to be produced in a range of formats – standard and large print for example, to take into account visual impairment and other disabilities.
If one approach doesn’t work try another – less formal methods like a group lunch might have great results for some groups, whereas a retired members group of a commercial company might prefer a more formal approach.
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7. How do we engage these clients?
Step Four – The digital aspect
Citizens Advice has an extensive library of Digital Money Coaching resources
Always ensure that any activities addressing digital ways of managing money relate directly to the clients needs.
Consider whether or not the venue has suitable wifi or hardware to offer a digital aspect to your sessions.
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8. How do we engage these clients?
Step Five – Getting ready to deliver
Meet with staff beforehand to discuss the content of your session.
It can be helpful to link training to other events taking place at the same time
Some older people prefer practical ‘hands-on’ methods such as case studies, games and quizzes and worksheets and other materials need to be relevant and easily identifiable to older learners.
Ensure you know how to log onto the venue’s wifi.
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9. How do we engage these clients?
Step Six – Delivering sessions
Take along magnifiers if possible
Sometimes people attending lunch clubs or day centres might have been on their own for long periods of time and relish the chance to talk to other people.
There are many examples of financial matters from the past that older people might have experienced and remember – for example decimalisation in the 1970s.
Short sessions are generally preferable to longer ones, for example a 20 minute session on scams before a bingo session.
Sessions need to focus on issues that are timely and relevant to older people: for example, a session on reducing energy costs and keeping warm in winter might be delivered in the autumn.
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10. Thanks for listening!

11. Our team David Mahon Forums / Training & resources Hannah Luck
Hannah Luck
Forums / Communication & information
Basam Diablos
Financial capability development consultant
Christy McAleese
Service Delivery and Contract Manager-Financial Capability

12. Presented by:
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