People are living longer than ever before, and the proportion of older people in our society is growing. In Northern Ireland we have the fastest growing older people’s population in the UK, which currently stands at 272,819 aged 65 and over. In the South Eastern Trust area there are approximately 57,300 people aged 65+ of which 25,370 are male and 31,930 female.
This is rightly a cause for celebration. However, population ageing, with the fastest rise in the ‘oldest old’, means that the overall number of people in our society with health or care needs has risen. This trend holds new responsibilities and challenges for Health and Social Care services in helping older people stay healthy, active and independent for as long as possible.
The adoption of healthy lifestyles and actively participating in one’s own care are important regardless of your age and it is never too late to adopt such life styles in the later years. Engaging in appropriate physical activity, healthy eating, not smoking and using alcohol and medications wisely in older age can prevent disease and functional decline, extend longevity and enhance one’s quality of life.
- The Good News Gazette
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Active Ageing in Care Homes
The Active Ageing in Care Homes Toolkit is designed to help improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people in care.
Click here to download the toolkit.
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Positive Ageing Month
A demographic revolution is underway throughout the world. Today, there are around 600 million persons aged 60 years and over world-wide. This number will double by 2025 and will reach two billion by 2050, with the vast majority of older persons living in the developing world (WHO). In the South Eastern Trust area there are approximately 64,000 people aged 65+ and by 2025 this will have increased to approximately 80,000, representing a large proportion of our society.
In order to recognise the important contributions that older people make to our world, while raising awareness towards issues of ageing, the United Nations designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust together with our partners and affiliates wish to commemorate this day and recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society by compiling a fun and exciting programme of activities and events.
If you have an event or activity you wish to include in the Positive Ageing Month Programme please complete the following form:
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
If you have an event or activity that you would like to organise or promote as part of Positive Ageing Month please complete the form below.
Ideas: Tea dance, dementia café, volunteering, intergenerational work, arts, crafts, older peoples groups, health talk, cinema, community lunch, arts, crafts, leisure, safety events, strength and balance classes, interviews, volunteering, training
Positive Ageing Month Submission
For help or advice please contact:
Health Development Department
Level 5 Lisburn Health Centre
Linenhall Street
Lisburn
BT28 1LUPhone: (028) 9250 1378
- Resources