Completed the survey but think the findings for over 70's will not be acurate as a lot of over 70's do not use the internet.  I am thinking of those a lot over 70.

Hi River

That seems to be the general consensus that those very much over 70 aren't using the internet. In my experience this is not the case. My father in law 89 has used a computer for the last 35 years. Mother in law 86 has learned recently with the help of books from Age Concern and can now confidently do an online shop at Asda and buy and sell stuff on Ebay.  My work takes me to several retirement homes and I'd say in most rooms a laptop can be found, including one establishment where the owner tells me the average residents' age is 86. I was surprised at this. Kim

Kim,

The assumption that everyone over the age of 55 (the original figure in the subject heading) fits into a certain stereotype was one of my concerns.

My Dad is in his 80's and probably spends more time online than I do.  

That said, whilst stereotypes do often have some basis in reality - they are a social construct which we all use instead of tking the time to discover what each individual we meet is actually like. The danger is when assumptions about stereotypes influence policy makers. Easy to assume that say, men's reluctance to talk to a GP explains a high number of diagnoses being made at Stage 4 rather than flawed NICE guidance to GPs about when to refer on for diagnostic services.   

Cheers
Dave 

I think you are quite right Dave. Sterereotypes of the older person pervades the entire establishment. I am not a vulnerable person, I don't need to be talked to in a higher pitched voice as teacher might address a small child, I don't need things explained to me in a simplefied way, or certain details of my illness held back from me. I don't need my bottom wiping. I don't need to be treated differently than anyone else. I am quite capable of making my own decisions but I happen to trust my oncologist (aged 66 ), and his knowledge about cancer and happily go along with his recommendations which are fully explained to me, as I trust the heating engineer who services our gas installation and any recommendations he makes.

The final point you make is even more valid and that is the misconception that men are reluctant to talk to or visit their GP, and so presenting with more advanced cancer. The GP is the filter to stop hospitals being inundated and the guidlines are too stringent. I had 3 GPs visits before my concerns about cancer were acted on. By the time I went through the process a further 3 months before treatment the cancer had gone from a simple operation with a near 100% sucess rate to a stage 4 tumour that metastasised. The cost to me is enormous and to the NHS a bill that may have been £500 is now well in excess of £30,000. Yet the policy makers continue with their failed system then blame the patients (this time a stereotype of men) for the failure of that system. The data they use is from poorly designed questionnaires, like the one above, which make assumptions about people first, then frame the questions around those assumptions.

Keep up the good work Dave. Kim 

Hi river

I know that for lots of older people the digital age has passed them by and they find they have no need to get involved with it, and your observations of your own family and your excercise class would show that to be the case. However, when I'm out and about, I have been truly astonished to find just how many older people especially in the last few years have started to use this technology. I think the simplicity, with the introduction of touch screen tablets, has in part brought this about. It is often used as a way of keeping in touch with far flung friends and relatives.Hope that your are keeping well and your excercise class is a really good and fun way to do just that. Kim