PATH to Active Ageing Promoting the Benefits of Physical Activity for Older People Sharing Learning and Knowledge in Scotland in the European Year for Active Ageing 2012 LTC AS LONG-TERM CONDITIONS ALLIANCE SCOTLAND people not patients LTC AS LONG-TERM CONDITIONS ALLIANCE SCOTLAND people not patients Contents LTC AS LONG-TERMForeword CONDITIONS – Stewart Maxwell MSP Active Ageing The Green Environment ALLIANCE SCOTLAND peopleDr not Richard patients Simpson MSP p3 Our Outdoor Activities p28-31 NHS Fife Occupational Therapy PATH to Active Ageing p4 Gardening Project Ageing Well, Edinburgh What is Active Ageing? p5 Demographics p5 Active Ageing Strength and Balance The Scottish Context p6 Exercises for All Abilities p32-36 Keynote Speakers p7-9 Otago Strength and Balance Reshaping Care for Older People - Silver Deal Active Aberdeen City Partnership – Techno Gym Dr Margaret Whoriskey Physical Activity and Active Ageing – Other Examples The EU Perspective of Good Practice p38-39 Susanne Hollman, Sport Unit, Directorate South Ayrshire Positive Steps General Education and Culture Walking Towards Better Health European Commission. A Scottish PATH to Active Ageing The Chief Medical Workshops Key Issues p40-43 Officer’s Guidance p10-13 Crosscutting Themes How Much Physical Activity do we need? The Group Experience Everything Counts Building and Active Community Making Best Use of the Environment The Scottish Borg Scale Physical Health Benefits Our Footprints PATH p44-45 Mental Health Benefits Picking UP the Pace Social Benefits Conference Key Conclusions p46-49 The Myths p14 12 Propositions of Active Ageing The Facts p15 Health Inequalities p16 Future Steps - Dr Anne Hendry, Health Economics p16 National Clinical Lead for Quality Carousel of Activities - Ian Welsh, Chief Executive, LTCAS Active Ageing Music and Dance p17-20 World Congress Active Ageing Musical Minds - Bob Laventure Scottish Opera Memory Spinners References p50-52 Active Ageing Other Sources Consulted p51-52 in the Care Setting p21-24 Perth and Kinross Care Home Activity Appendix 1 Partnership Working p52 Network (CHAN) West Lothian Care Activity Network Olympics Appendix 2 The Policy Context p52-54 (CAN) Appendix 3 Related LTCAS Activity p54 Active Ageing Walking Appendix 4 Related JIT Activity p54-55 in Later Life p25-27 Inverclyde Globetrotters Appendix 5 Scottish Physical Activity West End Walkers 65 (SPARcoll) and Health Alliance p55 2 Foreword I was delighted to be asked to sponsor those who don’t LTC AS LONG-TERM CONDITIONS the Active Ageing Conference held, by is enormous ALLIANCE SCOTLAND LTCAS and the Joint Improvement Team, and is indicative people not patients in the Scottish Parliament on 27th April of the huge 2012. I found this conference one of the amount of most fascinating events I have attended control that we in a very long time. In particular, I all have over was most interested in Professor Dawn our own health. Skelton’s work on the effect of different I must mention types of activity on ageing and the of course difference that staying active can make Musical Minds both in prolonging life and in extending who entertained the healthy part of life. The exciting point us so well. of this research is that remaining active Musical Minds, a has a significant impact on healthy life, choir of people involving additional years, not months, of with dementia life and a greatly increased quality of life. and their carers There were most interesting were a really bright spot in the day and presentations from Dr Margaret exemplified the social and therapeutic Whoriskey, Joint Improvement Team, effects that the creative arts can have. I Susanne Hollmann from the European was delighted to meet them. Commission and Dr Andrew Murray, the This was a most fascinating and uplifting Scottish Government’s Physical Activity conference, particularly for those of us Champion amongst others, showing the over forty, and I very much look forward overwhelming evidence proving that to digesting the lessons of the report in a being physically active adds life to our personal as well as a political capacity. years as well as, years to our lives. The Stewart Maxwell MSP gap between those who exercise and It was a projects from across Scotland showcasing pleasure to join their good practice. The facts around with Stewart the benefits that activity can bring, not Maxwell MSP just in terms of direct health benefits but in hosting also, the opportunities provided to reduce this excellent social isolation cannot be overestimated. event. It was Getting this information out to older particularly people themselves, should be a priority interesting to for all of us. have input from I very much look forward to the colleagues from Conference conclusions which I hope to across Europe, be able to use to promote the benefits of who share a physical activity within the communities commitment to which I represent. encourage older I think that the highlight of the day for me people to live was Musical Minds. Their performance was well in their own uplifting and it just set a great tone for communities the rest of the day at the conference. It and to be as far as possible, independent. also clearly demonstrated how music can There was a wealth of great information transcend language in enabling people to presented on how people of all abilities form friendships and enjoy life. can stay active, with some first class Dr Richard Simpson MSP 3 PATH to Active Ageing LTC AS LONG-TERM CONDITIONS ALLIANCE SCOTLAND people not patients Planning All Our In doing so, it is anticipated that it will raise awareness of the issues, give Tomorrows with Hope a renewed impetus for Change Fund activity and provide a useful guide to all Our aim in Reshaping Care involved in the care of older people of the together is to provide world advantages of encouraging older people leading services for older people that to undertake physical activity thereby optimise independence and wellbeing. enabling them to live more independently. Promoting physical activity is a key part of this and has enormous positive The European Commission has named impact, helping older people maintain 2012 European Year for Active Ageing good physical and mental health and and Intergenerational Solidarity. The improving their quality of life. The designation of the year, represents an European Year for Active Ageing is an important opportunity to share good important reminder of this message practice thereby building on Scotland’s and this event is a milestone in position as a leader in delivering quality Scotland’s preparation for hosting the outcomes for older people. It also provides 8th World Congress on Active a vehicle to maximise benefits by ensuring Ageing in Glasgow in August. a strategic fit with other activity around promoting independence for older people Shona Robison MSP Minister for including the Reshaping Care of Older Commonwealth Games and Sport. People and associated Change Fund activity (Scottish Government, 2010b). Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland The PATH conference focused on the (LTCAS)/Joint Improvement Team (JIT) improvements that physical activity Conference A PATH to Active Ageing was a can make to promoting health and Scottish contribution to the European Year independence of older people. The national for Active Ageing 2012 and centred on learning and knowledge exchange also promoting the benefits of physical activity allowed partnerships across Scotland for older people and demonstrating in a to highlight case studies and examples practical way, the renewed focus on of good practice to share not only with improving the health and wellbeing of reshaping care partners but to showcase to older people in communities across interested parties in Europe and beyond. Scotland. The PATH to Active Ageing also provided This publication provides a summary of a key platform for Scotland to build upon, conference activity, highlights the benefits ahead of The 8th World Congress on Active of physical activity to older people and Ageing (www.wcaa2012.com) being held showcases good practice across Scotland. in Glasgow in August 2012. 4 What is Active Ageing? health and anticipatory planning (see LTC AS Older People not only like to get out LONG-TERM CONDITIONS Appendix 2 on The Policy Context). ALLIANCE SCOTLAND and about but it has been shown people not patients Alongside this, illnesses of the 21st Century that providing opportunities for friendships, are significantly different in terms of learning and leisure have a role in effect, from illnesses of earlier times. keeping them active and healthy. Improvements in conquering and treating (Raynes et al, 2006) acute infectious diseases, have played a part in shifting treatment towards preventing and managing complex long term ill health and The World Health Organization, defined disability (Nolte and McKee, 2008). active ageing as, “the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to We don’t have to fear ageing, enhance Quality of Life as people age.” if we have opportunities - if we (World Health Organization, 2002). know that growing old doesn’t In Scotland there has been a radical mean that we become dependent. change in empowering people and Mercedes Bresso, President communities and moving in the direction Committee of the Regions. of services geared towards preventative Demographics – Some Trends of physical activity to promoting good health, statistics indicate that only 20 per Scotland’s population is getting older. cent or 1 in 5 of 65 -74 year olds and 9 Currently, around 1 million people or 1 in per cent, less than 1 in 10 of over 75 year 5 of the population are over the age of 65 olds undertake enough physical activity to (Office for National Statistics, 2010). benefit their health (Scottish Government, By 2031, the number of people in 2011). Scotland aged over 65 is projected The ageing population, and rising long to increase by 62 per cent (Scottish term conditions, present challenges to Government, 2010a).