Supporting Healthy Active Ageing: A Preventative Approach Diane Brennan MSc RGN Liverpool Primary Care Trust

Active Ageing Service  A Preventative Service that involves multi- agency partnership and intergenerational activities.  Includes older people in the decision making process.  Empowers older people with knowledge and skills in order for them to make positive life choices.

How Does It Work?  Referral Process from any source.  Nurse visits patient and completes a holistic screening tool with patient, including routine health screening and medication review.  Referral onto appropriate agencies / services.  Referral to Active Ageing Programme

Intergenerational Active Ageing Programme  Accredited intergenerational health education and physical activity programme.  Two Hour duration, incorporating informative presentations, social interaction between young and old and physical activities such as Tai Chi.  Delivered in partnership with local agencies and schools.

What makes a Preventative Programme work? Innovative thinking Changing the mindset of GPs and nurses. Holistic approach. Involving the client groups in the decision making process. Partnership working. Accessing budgets and securing resources.

Achievements  Empowered community groups to take ownership of the original programmes, renamed “Community Active Ageing Programmes”.  Established specialised programme at the Sunflower Centre.  PCT volunteers.  Gym  Employment of Fitness Instructor  Activity Sessions e.g; yoga, dance, pottery, computer classes, drama, chair based exercise.

Benefits  Improved health and well being.  Increased physical activity levels.  Reduces social isolation and fear of crime from the young.  Contributes in the reduction of falls.  Reduces inequalities in health.  Knowledge gained encourages positive life choices.  Reduction in demand on health and social care services.  Increased contribution to society and the economy by older people.

Clients Views  “It’s better than all my medicines” (Mrs D Age 92)  “It’s great! I use to think older people were just old and boring and moaned all the time, but they’re actually quite funny and they know loads of stuff”. (Rebecca Age 16)

Diane Brennan Lead Nurse for Older People Liverpool Primary Care Trust Tel: