The vast majority of older people in Bristol live in their own homes and need regular informal social support to stay healthy - maintaining contacts, retaining mobility and good nutrition rather than direct medical care. This means taking steps to reduce the likelihood of accidents by ensuring that their homes are safe, they eat properly, take regular exercise, stay warm, maintain links with their local community, have access to medical and social care when needed. (1)

We run a number of services that can help you maintain your independence or put you in touch with other organisations that can help. What we do.

 

There is now a move towards adopting an 'active ageing' agenda with a focus on older people as active contributors to society. We need to create an environment to encourage and support this. (2)

• Volunteering opportunities
• Breaking the age barrier in employment
• Joined up services - health, social service & housing working in partnership with the voluntary sector (3)

Source:

(1) Health of Bristol 2003 Bristol North PCT & Bristol South & West PCT Chpt.4 Health of Older People

(2) Age Concern England 'The Age Agenda - Public Policy & older people'

(3) For further information on proposed shape of social care services in the future See Social Care Green Paper 'Independence, Well-being & Choice' DOH website www.dh.gov.uk under 'consultations' then 'live consultations'

 

GETTING OUT AND ABOUT FOR NATIONAL FALLS AWARENESS DAY ON 26TH JUNE 2007

Organised as part of a national awareness campaign run by Help the Aged, the day aims to promote falls prevention amongst older people Older people from across the country are being invited to join in, to find out what they can do to prevent falls.

Raising awareness of falls is still a critical issue since one person dies every five hours as the result of fall.  It remains the biggest cause of accidental death for older people.  

The theme of this year’s National Falls Awareness Day, ‘Getting out and about’, is encouraging older people to identify opportunities in their environment to take part in physical activity – an essential part of healthy ageing.  The event is also aiming to make older people aware of the potential hazards presented in their environment, inside and outside the home, that can increase the risk of falling.

In some areas the Charity is encouraging groups and projects to highlight poor local paving.  Research that the Charity carried out showed that 5.4 million (56%) older people (65+) avoid routes that may have faulty or damaged pavements .  For older people with mobility problems this represents a significant barrier to leading an independent life.

Hundreds of events are expected to take place right across the UK, building on the 370 events that took place last year for the 2006 National Falls Awareness Day.  Each group or project holding an event has been sent a Local Action Pack by Help the Aged.  This year's pack was produced with the support of Servier Laboratories Limited. 

 “Falling does not have to be an inevitable part of growing older,” says Pamela Holmes, Programme Manager, Help the Aged. “Falls are currently the greatest cause of accidental death among older people, and fear of falling is a prevents many older people from leading an independent life.  We hope that National Falls Awareness Day will encourage older people to overcome these barriers.”

Supporters of National Falls Awareness Day who would like to raise funds to help the Charity carry out its vital work to help older people can perform an exhilarating sponsored skydive. Please contact the Help the Aged Events Team on 020 7239 1964 or visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/events.

The Charity has a bespoke web site with falls information that older people can access at www.helptheaged.org.uk/slipstrips.  Information on National Falls Awareness can be found at www.helptheaged.org.uk/fallsday.

Source: Spotlight survey by GfK/NOP for Help the Aged. 1095 interviews of older people (aged 65+) were conducted across the UK in February 2007.