This project applies evidence from a major international randomised controlled trial into the healthy lifestyle support needs of vulnerable older people - the specific intervention of small group support groups focusing on discussion of everyday activities, such as sleep, eating, exercise, social engagement, including trying new ways supported by the group. It has been recommended by NICE as a proven intervention for mental health for older people.
A pilot project at Age Concern in 2012 is informing a future project for their volunteers, to implement important international research into the health-promoting, positive link between how we carry out our daily activities, and our health. It has theoretical links with the government’s Change4Life campaign. Lifestyle Matters applies international research findings into supporting healthy ageing, which can also be applied to specific health needs such as diabetes.
To develop and pilot a Lifestyle Matters programme which would deliver a diverse and in-depth knowledge of different approaches to enhancing quality of everyday life. The project has a double advantage. Local Age Concern Volunteers will learn the Lifestyle Matters Philosophy to inform their daily volunteering activities – such as tunning a lifestyles group at Age Concern – and meanwhile the individual’s own perspectives and habits in their own approaches to health and wellbeing might be enhanced. The project objective is to establish and evaluate whether such a programme would be effective to deliver important health messages to individuals that might fall into the isolated, vulnerable and hard to reach groups of the community.
The project is highlighting the impact on the active volunteers who participated in the programme – they felt that this philosophy could be adopted into their practices as volunteers. This sharing of important health information that might normally be excluded from the ordinary mainstream activity of their community due to illness, age related conditions or disabilities.
Research team
Professor Gaynor Sadlo
Lisa Hodgson
Output
Measurable enhanced health of citizens.
Partners
Age Concern Eastbourne