3.17 Involving people: Making sure IP is accessible to older people

Older people may have different preferences for accessing and reading information.  They may need assistance in understanding an information prescription, or just reading it, or alternatively, they may prefer that information is shared with their carer, family member or representative.  Think about any difficulties older people may have in gaining access to information: could your IP be dispensed at older people's centres, voluntary agencies, and so on, and could these organisations give you advice on making your template more readily useable?  The Suffok Pilot found that information prescriptions,  delivered through community care practitioners, social workers and district nurses for older people with long term conditions, worked well.

Some older service users prefer telephone advice, while others would rather the information was emailed to them. Many would prefer it written down. Whichever method you choose, many older people will like to be reassured that if they have any difficulty with it, somebody will be able to offer some personal assistance with making use of the information in it.

On the next page: making sure IPs are available in a range of locations