Ageing Well UKA Health Promotion Programme

Senior Sports Conference

Berlin, May 2004

Carolyn Robertson

ActivAge Unit, Age Concern England

www.ageconcern.org.uk

Ageing Well UK

-Distinguishing feature is concept of training a network of volunteer Senior Health Mentors

-Older people acting as health counsellors to their peers

How are projects delivered?Volunteers 50+ are recruitedTrained to national standardsPlaced in a wide range of community based initiatives working directly with peersSupported and supervised by Project Coordinator

Activities Senior Health Mentors are involved in:

Physical activity and exercise sessions

Relaxation and alternative therapies

Reminiscence therapy Discussion groups on

specific health topics, such as blood pressure, healthy eating, cardiac care etc.

Ageing Well activities take place in many different settings

Lunch/Social clubs Doctors’ surgeries Health centres Health shops Leisure Centres Healthy living centres

Model of Project: Sefton (Northern England)

Senior Health Mentors (43) visit residential homes, nursing homes, day centres and sheltered housing schemes

Provide information on relaxation, diet and exercise

Raise awareness of the range of services and leisure activities available and facilitate access to these

Bring news of the outside world to people in the community who are confined or isolated

Sefton (cont’d) Qualified instructors

(which include Senior Health Mentors) facilitate Tai Chi, massage and gentle chair exercise sessions

Provide befriending, sing-songs, art & craft

Reach approximately 100 people a week

Senior Health Mentor Story – Braveheart Project –

Central Scotland Project works with people recovering from major heart

problems, has involved some 400 patients, 60+ from Falkirk & District Royal Infirmary

Jim never smoke or drank yet had triple bypass surgery at only 59

After rehabilitation, Jim felt there was no ongoing support from the hospital, so he focused on reviewing diet and increasing exercise levels

Joined Braveheart which he says ‘changed his life’. “With Braveheart, Jim and his colleagues are putting continuing recovery back into the hands of people who most need it. He is very proud of what they do.”

Benefits of Senior Health Mentoring Promotes community development by

encouraging participation, collaboration and mutual aid

Empowers older people to identify and take control over their own health needs

Facilitates greater contact, understanding and dialogue between older people and health professionals

Any Questions?