Ageing Well Midlothian is a project funded by the NHS and managed by Midlothian Council with the aim of maintaining and promoting physical and mental health, wellbeing and quality of life for inactive and socially isolated people aged 50+. It also aims to challenge stereotypes and increase the expectation of good health in later years. Low cost activities offered include yoga, pilates, keep fit, aquafit, tai chi and dance as well as walking groups, seated exercise, singing and new age kurling.
Ageing Well adopts a peer support model where trained volunteers lead, encourage and provide information to assist and inspire their peers in adopting a more active and healthy life style. Volunteers not only lead activities and run groups but they also have a very active part in shaping the future of the project. They are instrumental in all new initiatives and are consulted on everything to do with the project.
PLANNING / · a clear rationale, defined processes and focus on stakeholder needs· contributes to organisation’s goals and addresses current or emerging challenges
It is recognised that people are now living longer and there are more people of pensionable age. It is estimated that by 2033, over 40% of Midlothian’s population will be aged 65 and over. Research from the Scottish Government 2003 report “Let’s make Scotland more active”, shows being physically active is one if the best ways to enhance physical and mental health and wellbeing. The latest Scottish health survey (2010) shows that there are particularly low levels of older people reaching the target levels of 30 minutes per day at least 5 days a week of moderate activity. Only 17% of woman aged between 65-74 currently meets this level and 21% of men. These results are 50% less for people over the age of 75.
Recognition of these facts are contained within Midlothian Councils, single outcome agreement under National Outcome 6, ‘We live longer, healthier lives’ and similarly reflected in to both the Councils community plan theme of ‘Adult Health, Care and Housing’, and the Councils Corporate priority of ‘Supporting healthy, caring and diverse communities where local needs are met’.
A weekly programme of activities is organised by the Ageing Well coordinator, as well as special ‘themed’ events. This year’s programme has included three Senior Olympics events, Midlothian Hospital inter ward competition, 10 care homes competing and 5 sheltered housing/day centres competing in various sports including New Age Kurling and Boccia.
The Senior Olympics events were run by Ageing Well volunteers with assistance from Midlothian Youth Platform, and volunteers from Asda, Scottish Water and The Dean Tavern Trust. This is the second year, in which ‘themed’ events have taken place and plans are underway to run similar events next year under the theme of the ‘Scottish Highland Games’.
Due to the success of the relationship between Ageing Well and care home activity coordinators, Midlothian Active Connections was created. This is a network for activity coordinators to meet and share good practice and ideas as well as organise training and smaller events for example bringing care homes together for singalong sessions and dances.
DELIVERING / · implemented in all relevant areas and across all the required stakeholders· carried out in a structured and logical way , using robust and sustainable methods
Through this joint working venture the ‘Walk the Line’ event was created and run by volunteers. This saw the organisation of a mass walk through Midlothian for people of all age groups,recently the second ‘Walk the Line’ event was held and attracted 216 walkers.
In planning and organising such an event volunteers from a number of groups were involved, these included Jewel and Esk College, where students currently studying Events Management received credits for assisting in the running of this event,Tweed Valley Mountain rescue, local libraries, the local police and country rangers. Feedback from those who took part in ‘Walk the Line’ was that they all enjoyed the walk and social aspect. Next year the volunteers have decided to really promote the intergenerational aspect of the walk and encourage the whole family from granny to grandson to come along and enjoy the great outdoors.
Ageing Well train volunteers to offer health checks to participants of all activities. Every six months people are notified via the Be Active Newsletter that MOT health checks are due. They have blood pressure, body fat %, grip strength, and lung capacity checked as well as eye sight checks, physiotherapy advise and other useful information e.g. energy saving tips. Currently offering two sessions every six months we check approximately 80 people.
Seniors Week is also organised by Ageing Well where free concerts are organised in 8 different venues in Midlothian. They offer a chance to socialise and gain valuable information of activities in their local area as well as enjoy a session of dancing, singing and bingo. 500 attended this year’s shows. Talks and taster sessions are regularly given to Women’s Guilds, church groups etc on the benefits of active ageing and a chance to participate in taster activities sessions as well as finding out what is on offer in their local area.
INNOVATION + LEADING PRACTICE / ·Demonstrates leading practice, and is capable of replication elsewhere·Achieves genuine innovation or new ways of working
Midlothian Council is leading indeveloping new ways to enhance this project, this includes:
The introduction of a Be Active membership card to the project in 2010, the card is offered free to participants after completing 4 weeks of an activity. Recipients are asked a number of questions, including;What are your main reasons for attending? Is there anything you would change? These responses are recorded and analysed, thus providing sound information on which project improvements can be based.
The membership card offers discount with 12 local businesses which is of financial help to members. Offers include 30% discount from Midlothian Physiotherapists, 15% discount from Browns Opticians, 10% from Mountain Warehouse and various others.
The aim of offering a regular MOT Health Check service was to provide Ageing Well Walking Programme participants the opportunity to determine their health and fitness status and to monitor the efficiency of the walking programme in improving health and fitness. Due to the high demand of appointments requested for this service with the Community Health and Fitness Officer, a volunteer walk leader suggested training Ageing Well volunteers to deliver the service. Paths for All were very interested in this idea and provided a grant in 2010 to buy the health check equipment.
The health checks data shows some interesting health results both for the individual and geographically.There were recognised differences in health results between participants in Dalkeith where there are areas of deprivation and the more affluent Penicuik including lung capacity and body fat % which were both better in Penicuik. These results further highlight the need for more work to be carried out in the Dalkeith area to encourage more activity and educational sessions. We are hoping ‘Paths for All’ will promote this successful MOT health check project to other walking groups throughout Scotland.
RESULTS + IMPACT / · a convincing mix of customer and internal performance measures·demonstrates howbetter outcomes are being achieved
· a full range of relevant results– either already achieved or with potential to deliverover time
The aim of Midlothian’s Ageing Well programme is to maintain and improve the health of older people in Midlothian, The programme also aims to improve the general quality of life of older people, improving mental health and wellbeing and increasing opportunities to participate in physical activities including reducing social isolation. It also aims to challenge stereotypes and increase the expectation to good health in later years. Key outcomes include:
- Increase confidence, knowledge and skills in the target populations with nearly 60% achieving the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity 5 times per week. Over half consider to have increased their social life and 68% feel fitter and healthier.
- Reduce barriers to healthy living by offering a variety of activities which are chosen by the target population in different venues throughout Midlothian to cater for those in more rural areas. Ageing Well currently reach over 1000 people per year and have 420 members who keep active at least once a week.
- Increase health promoting environments by offering Senior Olympics for different care settings including care homes, sheltered housing and Midlothian Health Promoting Hospital, thus increasing physical activity, reducing social isolation and improving mental health and well being.
- Increase opportunities for communities to influence provision is a strong part of the Ageing Well project with members being consulted regularly as well as local communities who are invited to take part in annual events such as Falls Awareness Day where they can try out sessions in tai chi etc and asked for their feedback . Ageing Well is also a member of the Joint Midlothian Older people’s Planning Group who have recently consulted with older people on the future strategy of services in Midlothian. Ageing well volunteers will be making and serving porridge at the next open discussion session and launch of the Midlothian Joint Older People’s Information Directory planned later this month giving older people the chance to influence future plans as well as receive useful information in a directory format which they requested at a similar event previously.
- Increase opportunities for engagement in lifelong learning, education, training or volunteering is one of the reasons why volunteers stay with the project. Training in topics such as walk leading, food handling, first aid, seated exercise and MOT health checks are offered and volunteers are encouraged to lead and develop events such as ‘Walk the Line’. Ageing Well volunteers were presented with the Best Team Award for Volunteersin 2011 and the Award for contributing to the health and Well-being of others in Midlothian, especially the most vulnerable in 2012 from the Midlothian Volunteer Centre at an annual awards ceremony.
- Enhanced capacity and capability for health improvement among professionals has been successfully achieved by setting up the Midlothian Active Connections network for care home activity staff. 18 members of staff and two hospital staff completed a seated exercise course recently organised by Ageing Well thanks to funding received from the Changefund.
Feedback on the success of the project has been collated and analysis of the information obtained from the application forms submitted is supportive of the work/events which are taking place. Comments from participants include:
“I’ve really enjoyed learning something new at the age of 67. I feel fitter and healthier and thoroughly enjoy the social side of it. I’d be interested in joining the volunteer team.”
“I have volunteered with the project since the beginning and it has been wonderful being part of it. I have done so much including reminiscing sessions with care home residents, leading walks, taken seated exercise groups with a day centre for the elderly and I really enjoy volunteering at Seniors week. I have made so many friends and learned so much. I just love it! My husband now volunteers too as a walk leader and it has helped him watch his weight.”
COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013 Page | 1
COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013 Page | 1