1. Older people in Oslo A presentation by students from Høgskolen i Oslo and York St John University.

2. Introduction Background Method Theory Findings Conclusion

3. Background Partnership between Høgskolen i Oslo and York st John University: Module on Older People and Occupational Therapy

4. Method Worked in groups to devise interviews to investigate the experience of ageing within Oslo Carried out the interviews at Elderly centres around Oslo. Qualitative research, semi-structured interviews. Areas of interest, cultural attitudes towards ageing, role changes, equality and inequality.

5. What are Elderly Centres A meeting place for elderly people offering services and activities that reflect their experiences and skills responding to their diverse needs and interests. It should enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage social engagement. (Dreksler J, 2007)

6. Background Theory A lot of research, both national and international, shows a clear relationship between health condition and social position. The better postition we are in according to employment, income or education, the less mortality, sickness, self reported health problems and consequences of disease. The same pattern is found for most factors that are considered to affect occurence of sickness and death. (Stortingsmelding nr. 16)

7. Continued... New research implies that diversity in health between income groups is increasing, at least when it concerns premature death. While the people with higher income have favorable development, the people with lower income can not take part of the health profit because they are standing still in their development. (Stortingsmelding nr. 16)

8. Continued... International comparative research implies that the differences probably are not smaller in Scandinavia and Norway than in other western European countries- it appears to be to the contrary. There a is registered continuing indifference over many decades – maybe even 100 years, also in Norway – even if both the clinical picture and the causation have changed. (Stortingsmelding nr. 16)

9. Oslo Population of Oslo (2005) = 548,617 Older people from 67+ (2005) = 61,795 There are 16 Elderly Centres in Oslo. West Oslo = Average family income Kroner 508,000 - 712,000 East Oslo = Average family income Kroner 364,000 - 515,000 West Oslo = 2%-5.4% receive social help East Oslo = 5.2%-13.7% recieve social help (www.ssb.no)

10. Findings Some of the participants interviewed commented that they liked the elderly centres because they were able to participate. They said that feel respected by their environment when at the elderly centres. Most of the participants said that they went to the centres to socialise.

11. Findings continued... A contrast emerged between the East and the West; EastWest -Lower income. -poorer living standards. -less participation. -less opportunities. - statistics showing death 10 years earlier than those who live in the west. -Higher income. -more opportunities. -better perceived sense of wellbeing. -more participation.

12. Findings continued... Attiudes seemed to differ towards ageing between the East and the West EastWest -Low Morale -Felt restricted by environment, -Felt there was a lack of resources. -Felt there was a lack of empowerment and support -took more initiative to start groups themselves, -had better resources, were easily enabled. -were motivated. -had a positive view of ageing.

13. Conclusion Older people in the socially deprived areas of Oslo appear to be at a disadvantage to those in more affluent areas. In line with the European year for Equal opportunities we think that Occupational Therapists should work to promote equal opportunities for participation in the community. This may mean promoting positive attitudes towards ageing and challenging environmental barriers such as lack of resources.

14. References www.ssb.no/emner/02/01/fobhusinnt/ta b-2003-12-18-01.html Dreksler, Jorunn (2007) Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen Stortingsmelding nr. 16 - Resept for et sunnere Norge (2002-2003)