Are participants with disability referred for social prescribing? Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

BACKGROUND

Social prescribing connects NHS patients to activities, groups, and services in their community to address wider health determinants. Those living with disability may have needs for support from social prescribing, yet there is little evidence exploring this.

METHODS

We examined the association between referral to social prescribing and disability, using logistic regression in 5578 individuals aged ≥50 from wave 10 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (year 2021-23).

RESULTS

Referral to social prescribing is significantly associated with mobility disability (OR 1.68 [95% CI: 1.26-2.23]), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living disability (1.56 [1.16-2.09]) and basic Activities of Daily Living disability (1.39 [1.03-1.86]). Our results suggest that this is driven by referrals for: (i) participants at the earlier stages of disability (i.e. with difficulty climbing stairs (1.49 [1.13-1.97]), walking ¼ mile unaided (1.83 [1.37-2.44]), and doing [heavy] housework (1.47 [1.08-1.98]), (ii) participants with difficulty managing money (1.85 [1.06-3.08]), and (iii) those with difficulty dressing (1.47 [1.08-1.99]) or using the toilet (1.72 [1.12-2.59]).

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults at either end of the disability spectrum are referred to social prescribing. Further research is needed to understand whether this is meeting needs, and if benefits vary with the level or nature of the disability.