Ageing Well in Action Plan 2016-2020 Summary

….making Flintshire a good place to grow older for everyone

The fact that we are living longer is something to celebrate but it is What does the Action Plan focus on? not enough to simply have additional years of life if they are limited by poor health and dependence on services. The Ageing Well in Flintshire • Creating Age-Friendly Communities Action Plan identifies what needs to be done and by whom, to make • Falls prevention growing older in Flintshire a good place to be. • Creating Dementia Supportive Communities • Providing opportunities for learning and employment • Preventing loneliness and isolation Our Ageing Well Plan is part of a wide approach led by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. To find out more about the For each of these areas we have created a “postcard from the future”. This work of the Commissioner visit www.olderpeoplewales.com reminds us about what success will look like and a list of actions to get us there which in this summary we have listed as a set of “to do’s”. At the Follow this link to find out more about the nationalAgeing Well in end of each year, we will report on what progress has been made and you Wales programme. can find out more at any time by contacting Helen Jones, Older People’s Strategy Coordinator via [email protected], or telephone 01352 701429. AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES - POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE Dear Carol )5207 ' +( 5  $ ) & 8 7 7 8 There have been some more good changes in the village since I wrote to 6 5 2

( 3 you last, and it’s had a big impact on my life. Do you remember I plucked 3267&$5' )5207+( up the courage to attend the community meeting in the village hall? Well, I )8785( can’t believe I actually had some good ideas and the community is working together to put some of them in place. That big group of boys who always used to hang around outside the village hall on youth club nights has been helping to make a community garden and last week we had our fi rst garden party there. Some of the children had baked cakes in the After School Club, MrsTO CarolDO LIST Brown and the older ones from the High School served tea and coffee. • Work with communities to fi nd out We now have a weekly games night in the village hall and we play some of Any roadwhat “Age Friendly” means to them, our old favourites like beetle drive, scrabble and dominoes as well as bingo what needs to change in their area which is a big hit with the teenagers! I’ve just come home from a session on Any townand how we can all work together to how to use a tablet computer run by the Youth Club. I can’t believe you can make those changes. do so much on one of those little screens. I’ve just found out how to use County ‘Skype’ and I’ve been able to speak with Emma and the children and SEE • Make it easier for people to get any information and advice that they need them at the SAME TIME!! It’s lovely because I don’t get to see them very Post Codeto stay well, active and independent often since they moved to Manchester. The youngsters at the Youth Club or to get the right support when they were very patient with me as I didn’t have a clue and found it a little scary need it. at fi rst. Now I can’t wait for next week’s session. I’m so busy now, and have much more confi dence, and the best thing is, the boys outside the Youth Club now say hello to me and have even helped me carry my shopping home. Hope your family is well Best wishes Disclaimer: This ‘postcard from the future’ Maureen exists by way of example for training purposes and no guarantee is made that the services identifi ed will be available in the future. Age Friendly Communities

In February 2014, Flintshire County Council signed the “Dublin Declaration”, therefore demonstrating its commitment to make sure that Flintshire is “Age Friendly”.

A place is age-friendly when it helps and enables everyone (irrespective of age) to stay healthy and active and participate in community activities, treats everyone with respect and protects the most vulnerable.

We want I need to I need We all need safe affordable be able timely/easy outdoor spaces homes that to access access to to promote enable us to live services information/ wellbeing and independently advice independence

There are a variety of initiatives taking place across Flintshire that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of older people. Making our communities Age-Friendly will promote community cohesion and encourage everyone to make best use of the resources available to them.

I want We need We value opportunities accessible opportunities to participate transport to for continued within the local maintain access to learning and community services / leisure employment FALLS PREVENTION - POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE Dear Sue )5207 ' +( 5  $ ) & 8 7 7 8 6 Thank you for the lovely card and fl owers you sent for my birthday, and 5 2

( 3 especially the advice about mum’s falls. 3267&$5' )5207+( )8785( Mum has fallen a few times but she wasn’t telling me as she didn’t want me to worry, but I knew something was up because she was relying on that stick more and more and she was hardly leaving the house. I fi nally persuaded mum to see the Doctor and she was referred to that service you told me about for a falls assessment. Anyway, mum has had her medication MrsTO SueDO LIST White reviewed and she has been attending a falls class. • Raise awareness about what Any roadorganisations and individuals can do At fi rst, she wouldn’t go to the classes, so I had to go with her, but after a to prevent falls couple of weeks she started to go on her own and she even looks forward Any town to the classes. She’s made a few friends and they make it a bit of a social • Provide services to identify people at event as they go for a coffee and sandwich afterwards. It’s made a big Countyrisk and offer appropriate support and difference already. Mum is going out more and she’s started to leave advice the stick behind so I know she’s getting her confi dence back. It’s made a difference to me too – mum hasn’t fallen for a few weeks and I’m not Post Code• Identify and promote community worrying about mum losing her independence and being stuck at home on based activities to support individuals her own. When the falls class fi nishes mum is talking about joining a local to maintain their strength and walking group with a few others in the class. The instructor has convinced them balance or take other steps to protect that if they stay active it will keep them healthy and help prevent further falls. themselves from falls.

Hope your family is well Best wishes Disclaimer: This ‘postcard from the future’ Jane exists by way of example for training purposes and no guarantee is made that the services identifi ed will be available in the future. Falls Prevention

Falls are a major cause of disability and death in older people and can have a signifi cant impact on their wellbeing through loss of confi dence and independence. However falls are preventable and are not an inevitable part of getting older.

A lot of work has been done across to describe what we should be doing to reduce the risk of falls, at home (including care homes), in communities and hospitals. We call these “Service Models”. They focus on identifying people at risk of falling and ensuring timely access to a range of interventions to reduce identifi ed risks.

Strength and Poor vision (even when Side effects of some balance exercise wearing glasses) may increase medications may increase the can reduce falls by your risk of falling. It is risk of falls. Medication reviews as much as 54% therefore important to have with your doctor or pharmacist (Otago, FaME) regular sight tests. is therefore recommended. DEMENTIA SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES - POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE Dear Gwenda )5207 ' +( 5  $ ) & 8 7 7 8 Thank you for your lovely card and kind words of encouragement. I woke up this 6 5 2

( 3 morning and told myself ‘I’m going to have a good day’ and it’s started off well 3267&$5' with this postcard to you. )5207+( )8785( Since my diagnosis I have spent a lot of time worrying, but I had a really good chat with the Occupational Therapist who came to see me and I realise it’s not all TO DO LIST doom and gloom. I didn’t realise how common dementia is, and how many things • Increase the number of towns in Flintshire there are to support people like me. On a good day, I’m fi ne, but on days that are Mrsthat are Gwenda “Dementia Friendly.” Davies To fi nd out not so good, I have struggled to do the smallest task . This used to worry me and more contact Luke Pickering-Jones made me frightened to go out, but now I am much more confi dent. luke.pickering-jones@fl intshire.gov.uk or Anytelephone road 01352 702655. My local town is Dementia Friendly, and I feel quite safe. Every week I go to the local shops knowing support is there if I need it, and there is a memory café I go Any• Increase town the number of “Dementia Friends” to once a month. I like it when we have singing sessions, I seem to be able to living and working in communities to be remember the words of all my favourite songs. Now I have my ‘Buddi’ I can take Countysupportive to people living with dementia Rusty for a walk again, I really missed doing this when the regular route became • Work to increase the number, type and unfamiliar, but now if I feel disorientated I just press the alarm and someone range of activities and support available supports me. Most of the time I’m Ok though. Jim and I are much better with Post toCode people with dementia and their families each other too. We were really getting on each other’s nerves because he and carers. wouldn’t let me out of his sight and he didn’t sleep very well either in case I got up in the night to go out shopping or clean the house. He now understands me • Encourage individuals to make lifestyle more. Of course I still worry about the future, but whilst I’m having good days like choices to reduce their risk of developing this, I know life is defi nitely worth living. health problems (including dementia) as they age. Hope your family is well Best wishes Disclaimer: This ‘postcard from the future’ Megan exists by way of example for training purposes and no guarantee is made that the services identifi ed will be available in the future. Dementia Supportive Communities

Dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older but the likelihood of developing dementia rises with age.

In Flintshire we want people living with dementia to be able to live fulfi lled and meaningful lives, to feel safe and be supported in their communities and to be sure there will be care and support services fl exible enough to meet their unique wishes and needs.

Learn more about dementia and Encourage others to make a the small ways that you can help… positive difference to people with become a Dementia Friend. dementia… become a Dementia Champion. https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING & EMPLOYMENT - POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE

)5207 ' +( 5  $ ) & 8 7 7 8 6 5 Dear Graham 2 ( 3 3267&$5' Thank you for your Good Luck card and words of encouragement. )5207+( )8785( I had been in my current job for nearly 20 years and really needed a new challenge. It seems that new career opportunities are hard to fi nd when TO DO LIST you get to our age, so when I saw that ad in the local paper about training • Raise awareness of the barriers faced by opportunities for entrepreneurs I was keen to fi nd out more. Mrolder Graham people in maintaining Jones or securing employment or appropriate learning The training was held in the evenings in the village hall so it was really handy. Anyopportunities road and advocate for services There was a real mix on the course as well: some youngsters who had and support to be inclusive for all some really good ideas but no idea about how to get them started, a few like Any• Work town with training and learning providers me who had been in their jobs for a long while and wanted to setup on their to increase/promote opportunities for own, and a few people who were recently retired. older people to access a range of informal/ Countyformal learning in local communities. The course was really good for me, as it helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses, and has given me the information and tools I need to take Post• ProvideCode access to quality assured information to support people aged 50+ the next steps. I’ve made some useful contacts too, and will no doubt keep to plan for their future in touch over the coming months as my business develops. This is quite an exciting time for me, and it’s given me a new lease of life. Who said “you • Work with partners to promote can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” opportunities for older people to be an active part of their community e.g. I’ll keep you posted on progress. through volunteering Kind regards,

Disclaimer: This ‘postcard from the future’ Bob exists by way of example for training purposes and no guarantee is made that the services identifi ed will be available in the future. Opportunities For Learning & Employment

“Older People have a wealth of knowledge and experience which is currently underappreciated and undervalued in the workplace….. and are currently worth over £1billion to the Welsh economy every year” Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.

Despite this fact and the need or desire amongst many to work longer, some older people face particular challenges in entering or maintaining employment.

Lifelong learning is critical not only to maintain a competitive position in the labour market, but also for wider health and wellbeing benefits. Learning and skills development can include (but is not restricted to) financial and digital inclusion to help older people to become more resilient in later life.

More than one You can take up learning at any stage million people in life, but it is often more rewarding over 65 now and enjoyable when you’re older choose to stay because you’ve usually chosen to do in work. it rather than had to. LONELINESS & ISOLATION - POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE Dear Daisy )5207 ' +( 5  $ ) & 8 7 7 8 6 5 You said I was doing too much and you were right! I thought keeping busy 2 ( 3 was making me happy, until I read that article you sent me from the paper 3267&$5' )5207+( on Loneliness, it really struck a chord. )8785(

I had never considered myself lonely as I am so busy and have many friends, but reading the article I realised, that whilst I was often helping out in the local charity shop and saw family and friends regularly, I was in fact, lonely. Mr TOGraham DO LIST Jones I would spend most of my day in the shop, then the children would pop in to • Promote national campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of the see me on their way home from work, then when they had gone… silence. Any roadimpact of loneliness and isolation. I found out about this club for men who meet twice a week to share skills Any town• Identify opportunities to provide and ideas and make things. They call it a ‘Men’s Shed’, but we meet in the information and advice about Community Centre, and all the tools are kept locked up in a store room. We’ve activities/services that could made a few things now, which we’ve mostly donated to the school to sell Countyminimise the risk of loneliness at the school fair, but we recently made a bench for the school playground. Some of the men bring their grandsons along in the holidays, and it’s good Post Code• Challenge organisations to to be able to teach them new skills – it reminds me of when Jack was young understand the impact that their and I used to help him with his school projects. I still work in the shop, but just decisions may have in relation twice a week, and the children come round at the weekends when they have to social isolation and loneliness more time to sit and chat. It’s funny, it used to be them doing all the talking, amongst older people but now it’s me. And when they’re gone… silence, but I don’t mind it any more.

Give my regards to the family Best wishes Disclaimer: This ‘postcard from the future’ exists by way of example for training purposes Mike and no guarantee is made that the services identifi ed will be available in the future. Loneliness & Isolation

Lacking social connections is a comparable risk factor for early death as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is worse for us than well-known risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity.

The terms ‘loneliness’ and ‘isolation’ are often used together but they are different:

• A person is isolated if they are not in contact with friends or loved ones or have no community involvement or access to services. A person can however be isolated but not feel lonely. • Loneliness is how a person feels if they do not have positive connections with other people where that is needed.

The risks of loneliness and isolation appears to increase with age, particularly among those with long term health problems. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health and increases the likelihood of us needing more support in later life.

Higher % of women Over half (51%) Two fifths all older than men report of all people people (about 3.9 feeling lonely “some aged 75 and million) say the television of the time” or over live alone is their main company “often” (ONS, 2013) (ONS 2010) (Age UK, 2014)

17% of older people are in contact 1 in 6 people age over 50 with family, friends and neighbours report being lonely (Loneliness less than once a week and 11% are amongst older people and the in contact less than once a month impact of family connections. (Victor et al, 2003) WRVS,2012)