Longevity


many countries where older people are less respected than they were in the past, when the ‘elder’ was traditionally regarded with the utmost respect as the leader and custodian of the culture and the story of the tribe or community.


In the UK social care sector, we have much to learn from looking outwards to study how other countries and societies are facing the great opportunities that increasing longevity brings while also developing care and support services that are fit and appropriate for the 21st century. While there are some excellent initiatives currently being undertaken in the UK, if we are to support an increasing number of older people, we also need to look beyond our shores and examine care practices and evidence gained from the implementation of innovative approaches elsewhere.


Healthy ageing


In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its ‘World Report on Ageing and Health’.9


This document


should be required reading for all social care and health professionals working with and for older people. The report calls for a radical approach to the development of health and long term care systems to ensure they are fit for the future. It also argues for a worldwide approach to the creation of age friendly environments in which all generations can live well together and no population groups are isolated and marginalised in communities and societies. There are already some excellent examples of how this call is being met by long term care providers. For example, in Australia, Southern Cross Care (SA & NT), a large care provider in South Australia and a founding member of CommonAge, has achieved major improvements in the quality of life of care home residents through an holistic, organisation wide approach to the promotion of healthy and active ageing. Following the installation of health and wellness centres with gyms into its facilities as part of its health and wellbeing strategy, the organisation witnessed a significant reduction in falls among residents. It wasn’t just a reduction in falls; people’s lives and outlook were turned around while the wider community also


Ageing in Common: An International Perspective


CommonAge was established in 2013 by a group of professional leaders in the aged care sector, mainly from Australia, and is an accredited Commonwealth civil society organisation. While the organisation is working to connect all generations, its primary aim is improving quality of life for older people throughout the Commonwealth, supporting and promoting the capacity of older people to contribute their experience and wisdom for the benefit of those who follow and to promote stronger intergenerational links and cohesion between people of all ages. The inaugural Commonwealth Elders’ Forum will take place from 16-18 April 2018 at Wokefield Park Estate Hotel and Conference Centre,


Berkshire. The event will be run in association with the National Care Forum, Care England, the National Care Association, Age International and the International Longevity Centre (UK). The event will take place during the week of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit Meeting (CHOGM). A major focus will be the launch of the first research report on ‘Ageing in the Commonwealth’.


To ensure the event fully reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth, many speakers and delegates from developing countries will be attending to share experiences and build networks and alliances with UK providers. To find out more, go to www.commage.org


experienced unforeseen benefits. The strategy has resulted in fewer hospital admissions, improved cognitive function among residents with early signs of dementia and improved social engagement. The change in approach is contributing to savings in terms of staff time spent assisting residents who may have fallen, ambulance call-outs and GP and hospital visits. Speaking at a recent leadership seminar in London focussed on the need to transcend outdated ways of thinking and foster a major shift in how we understand ageing and health, Jo Boylan, operations director of Southern Cross Care, said: “Providers of care services need to strengthen the abilities of older people to thrive in their environment. There is a need for new systems of care that are more in tune with the needs of older people.”


An unexpected benefit of the gym installations was the increase in younger people wanting to be engaged with the organisation. “This half of the year we have welcomed many students to come


The UK is not alone in needing to address the challenges presented by an ageing population


January 2018 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


and help embed our healthy ageing approach,” says Boylan. The organisation has also seen changes in the staffing structures in its homes with fewer nursing hours needed and the employment of many more exercise physiologists, personal trainers and occupational therapists. Care homes have been transformed into healthy learning environments with more staff in track suits than in conventional care uniforms.


Change of mindset


There is a need for a change in approach from traditional sedentary and passive models of care and support. All parts of the social care system need to work together to reduce the fitness gap, help individuals reach their potential and prevent loss of ability.


There are many international examples like that of Southern Cross Care, where providers are adopting radical mindset changes and addressing service delivery gaps in relation to: access to health promoting activities; early intervention and prevention strategies; critical thinking/case management; health literacy and working with an individual’s intrinsic values to assist with their recovery. As they transform models of traditional care, organisations need to focus on promoting quality of life for all residents through holistic healthy ageing


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