The Scottish Government

a

A reduction in the proportion of older people in households with relatively low incomes.

b

A reduction in the proportion of older people in households with low incomes in an absolute sense.

c

A reduction in the proportion of older people with persistently low incomes.

Group

Older people

Definition/Source

Low income figures for indicators a and b above are taken from the Households Below Average Income dataset. We intend to use indicators that show the proportion of older people living in households with less than 50, 60 and 70 per cent of median GB income and less than 50 and 60 per cent of mean GB income (both before (BHC) and after (AHC) deduction of housing costs). Indicator a - relative low incomes - will track the proportion of older people which falls below these levels of income each year with the median / mean income rising over time. Indicator b - absolute low incomes - will track the proportion of older people which falls below these levels of incomes each year with the levels fixed at their 1997/98 values in real terms.

It is intended to develop indicator c - persistent low incomes - over the next 2-3 years on the basis of the recently boosted Scotland sample in the British Household Panel Survey.

Baseline Data

The baseline figures for indicator a are drawn from the 1997/98 Households Below Average Income dataset using the Family Resources Survey. Because these figures are taken from a sample survey they are subject to sampling error. The figures in brackets may be less reliable than the others because of technical factors.

Proportion of older people in households below various income thresholds, Scotland, 1997/98

% of Mean

% of Median

50%

60%

50%

60%

70%

Before Housing Costs

20%

38%

(11%)

19%

33%

After Housing Costs

27%

40%

(10%)

25%

37%

Trends over Time

Not yet available

Group

Older People

Definition/Source

The proportion of working age people in employment with a non-state pension. This includes people in an employers' occupational scheme and/or a personal pension scheme. Working age is defined here as 20 to state pension age. Estimates are taken from the Family Resources Survey. Because these figures are taken from a sample survey they are subject to sampling error.

Baseline Data

The 1997/98 Family Resources Survey shows that 58% of employees and 53% of the self employed have non-state pensions.

Men

Women

All

Employees

63%

51%

58%

Self-employed

61%

36%

53%

Trends over Time

Not yet available

Group

Older People

Definition/Source

a) The number of older people receiving intensive home care (more than 10 hours per week) per 1,000 head of population aged 65 and over.

b) The number of older people receiving a day-care service per 1,000 head of population aged 65 and over.

c) The proportion of older people receiving home based respite care per 1,000 head of population aged 65 and over.

Baseline Data

a) Available from 1998 - relating to last week in March each year

Year

Number of people receiving service per 1,000 population aged 65+

1998

9.58

b) Available from 1998 - relating to last week in March each year

Year

Number of people attending day care per 1,000 population aged 65+

1998

14.6

c) This information is not currently collected centrally, but ways of starting such data collection will be examined.

Trends over Time

The above figures are available for 1998 for the first time. Data for 1999 will be available shortly.

Group

Older people

This milestone is made up of 3 separate indicators, as follows

1 The number of older people taking physical exercise

Definition/Source

The 1995 Scottish Health Survey contains a substantial amount of information on exercise. This survey was conducted amongst persons aged between 16 and 64 years old. The next survey will be for 1998 and results should be available in the summer of 2000. Age has been extended in this survey to 65-74 year olds.

Baseline Data

Figures for 1998 will be available in the summer of 2000.

Trends over Time

Not yet available

2 Rates of mortality from coronary heart disease

Definition/Source

Death data are available for 65 to 74 year olds. Data are produced quarterly, the latest being quarter ending June 1999.

Baseline Data

Not yet available

Trends over Time

Not yet available

3 The prevalence of respiratory disease

Definition/Source

Information for respiratory disease is available from the 1995 Scottish Health Survey. This survey was conducted amongst persons aged between 16 and 64 years old. The next survey will be for 1998 and should be available in the summer of 2000. Age has been extended in this survey to include persons aged up to and including 74 years old.

Data on this is collected through the Continuous Morbidity Recording Scheme, which records a sample of activity from GP's. This scheme began in 1993 and now extends to 70 active general practices (around 6% of all Scottish practices). The patient population covered is representative of the Scottish population as a whole in terms of age, rurality and deprivation and participating practices cover all but two Health Boards (Orkney and Western Isles). Between 80,000 and 85,000 direct doctor/patient contacts are recorded each month, showing one or more symptoms/diagnoses from each contact. Data from CMR allows us to look at aspects of the GP's workload and can provide information on consultation rates for given respiratory conditions as well as providing estimates of incidence and prevalence for these conditions.

Baseline Data

Not yet available

Trends over Time

Not yet available

Group

Older People

Definition/Source

The proportion of those aged 60 years or over who are very worried about becoming a victim of housebreaking, car theft or physical assault.

This definition will be succeeded from the year 2000 by 'the proportion of those aged 60 years or over whose quality of life is greatly affected by fear of crime' which will be consistent with information collected in England and Wales

Information is drawn from the Scottish Crime Survey. Data are currently available approximately every four years. However, the possibility of more frequent surveys is currently being explored. An alternative, which will also be considered further, is to gather equivalent data within the Scottish Household Survey

Baseline Data

In 1996 16% of people aged 60 or over were very worried about their home being broken into, 11% were very worried about having their car stolen, and 15% were worried about being physically attacked or assaulted on the street.

Trends over Time

In 1993 the figures were 21%, 13% and 18% respectively. This may indicate that fear of crime is falling for people aged 60 and over.