Loneliness, Aloneness and Isolation Unpacking socialization and - PDF document

27/11/2019 Loneliness, Aloneness and Isolation Unpacking socialization and mental health Danny Vadasz CEO Health Issues Centre 1

27/11/2019 Who are our consumer reps? 67% Women 71% tertiary qualified 60% former health/welfare or education staff 70% retirees 82% over 55 Consumer Leadership training participants A true participatory model should embrace diversity, the vulnerable and the seldom heard so that they too may influence outcomes Health Issues Centre Definition 2

27/11/2019 Consumer driven Outcomes What is social listening? The art of finding what you’re not looking for The application of digital and face-to-face tools that encourage everyday consumers to participate in health conversations, including: - Social Media - User generated surveys - Table talks - Intercept conversations - Vox Pops 3

27/11/2019 How do we apply Social Listening? Searchlight – emerging issues, prevalence and 45 % impact 65 % 70 Stress Testing – policy gaps, unintended outcomes, % 35 market failure % 68 % Social Context – generating insight by considering context Human Centred Design – solutions to consumer defined problems Loneliness and Aloneness The Eastern Metropolitan Partnership 4

27/11/2019 Gippsland Health Survey “Tell Maria”! Not important A little Very important important I Important ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Alcohol & other drugs Cancer screening / services ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Diabetes ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Family violence ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Feeling part of the ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Community Healthy living (quit smoking, eating ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ well, exercise) Heart health ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Immunisation ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Lung health ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Mental health ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Sexual health and family planning Work and study ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Its not easy growing old 5

27/11/2019 Dealing with decline Physical As I live alone (by choice), keeping up with the heavier garden and house maintenance Tire more easily, can’t do as much as previously - one busy day has a greater impact. It is frustrating for me not being able to walk distances and do simple things like walking the dog Cognitive Trying to remember where I parked the car at the supermarket. My memory is not as good as it used to be. I deal with this by making notes. Emotional The heartaching loss as friends die. Looking after aging siblings I suffer increasingly from anxiety caused by the knowledge that my future is shrinking Key Findings Loss of capacity and incremental “I can no longer take a decline holiday, or go and visit • decrease in ability to my family, I can’t even accomplish day-to-day see a movie any more …” tasks (Older person) 6

27/11/2019 Loss of identity Maintaining my identity as an individual, not being put into a box as an ‘elderly citizen’.. Being made to feel unesesary or irelevent by younger persons other than family even when at 76 you are in voluntry committee positions Not being listened to. Being dismissed as being irrelevant. Being ignored or treated as a simpleton Being invisible and being talked down to I no longer feel respected and I no longer feel a sense of belonging. I am never invited to fun activities. I am often asked to babysit and help out with others needs which I am grateful for however sometimes I would like to just enjoy a conversation with someone who might respect my opinion. Key Findings Identity • Impact on personal identity “I want to be and emotional wellbeing recognised as an individual with skills and experience that contribute to the life of my community.” (Older person) 7

27/11/2019 How do we fit in? We need doctors that listen that don't rush you out the door. I'm in pain like many others and I'm not heard My local medical centre sometimes but not always makes me feel that I am a generic old lady. I dread losing my independence and having to rely on ‘care workers’ to survive. “When people finally get to see a GP they take a big list with them of things to talk about, and the GP only has a few minutes so has to prioritise on the day” The Spiral of Decline and Withdrawal Incremental physical/cognitive decline Erosion of self-esteem Loss of identity Social and clinical Isolation and depression withdrawal Further health decline Health crisis 8

27/11/2019 Social Connection Have we got it wrong? Social : Doing enjoyable things with others Relating to society and its organisation Tackling Social Isolation Activity - socialising v Relevance – the art of reinvention 9

27/11/2019 Thank you Danny Vadasz CEO d.vadasz@healthissuescentre.org.au Phone: (03) 9664 9343 Level 8 Fax: (03) 9663 7955 255 Bourke Street www.healthissuescentre.org.au MELBOURNE VIC 3000 info@healthissuescentre.org.au 10