The Ageing Well programme, as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan focuses on keeping older people well in the community and reducing hospital admissions.
It acknowledges the link between physical activity and other factors which are important for wellbeing in older adults.
Local Primary Care teams are beginning to explore how activity (physical and social) can play a fundamental role in areas such as anticipatory care and preventative health management.
With this in mind, we have been developing a multi-agency, community-based physical and social activity intervention which is facilitated by Primary Care healthcare professionals and local VCSE partners.
The mixed-approach model combines proactive case-finding with activity-conscious social prescribing, underpinned by evidence-based physical activity messaging, embedded within the existing primary care and community link pathways in the west end of Newcastle and in parts of Gateshead.
Participants are supported to improve physical ability and resilience over a 16-week period, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of worsening health and related dependence on health and care services. In addition, a workforce development offer has been coordinated to improve shared knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver brief physical activity messaging across local health care channels.
Contact
For more information on the Ageing Well programme, contact Michael Ali, Strategic Lead for Health Integration.
