NEGLECT, ISOLATION AND HOUSEHOLD POVERTY AMONGST OLDER PEOPLE WITH SIGHT LOSS

Early day motion 712, tabled 26 February 2004 by Barbara Roche (Labour). Signed by 121 members.

That this House welcomes the publication of the RNIB and British Gas Here to HELP programme's report Unseen: Neglect, Isolation and Household Poverty Amongst Older People with Sight Loss; notes with concern the findings that 47 per cent. of the 588 older people with sight loss surveyed have experienced neglect through not having a visit at home from any professional or voluntary body to assess their needs as a result of their sight loss and that 64 per cent. face isolation by not receiving a visit from someone on a daily basis; further notes that 73 per cent. are living in or on the margins of poverty; and calls on the Government to support the report's recommendations for timely low vision assessment and rehabilitation services, the provision of low vision aids and community equipment to preserve independence and for disability living allowance to be made available for older people to claim who develop sight loss aged 65 and over in order to tackle these problems.

Signatures by party: Labour 71, Liberal Democrat 24, Conservative 11, Labour/Co-operative 7, UUP 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1.