active ageing


Tackling the physical environment


Reimagining Ageing


The UK’s physical inactivity epidemic is cutting older people’s lives ‘tragically short’, says a new report. The fitness sector is perfectly placed to get our agoing population moving.


BY 2030 it’s estimated the number of UK people aged 60 or more will reach 20 million, up 31 per cent from today’s figure (15.3 million). By 2040, nearly one in four people will be 65 or older. Most of us are resigned to the fact that our


later years will bring a loss of function and decreased mobility. There is a persistent perception that exercise becomes less appropriate the more we age – approximately 38 per cent of over 55s are classed as ‘inactive’ – despite figures showing inactivity reduces lifespan by as much as five years. Many inactive older people also believe


physical activity may worsen their health conditions. Such views could be dangerous to long-term health, says Steven Ward CEO of ukactive, the body behind the Reimagining Ageing report. The report, produced with the DataHub and Sheffield Hallam University, argues that far from slowing down, we should be ramping up as we enter our twilight years. Sir Muir Gray, chief knowledge officer of the


NHS, says: “Many of the more grievous issues associated with old age can actually result from a lack of fitness; we have clear evidence that ageing by itself is not a cause of major problems until the mid-nineties. Physical activity is vital to ensure older populations lead long, healthy and independent lives.”


a cultural transformation People aged over 55 currently account for 36 per cent of the population, yet only one in five members of public leisure facilities falls within this bracket. Usage rates of those aged over 65 fall lower still, accounting for just nine per cent of visits. At the moment, close to half of people aged 75-84 are inactive – this rises to nearly 71 per cent of people aged 85 and over. The fitness sector is clearly falling short in its


offer to older people, yet this disengaged age bracket offers an opportunity we can’t afford to miss – they hold 70 per cent of the nation’s wealth and spent £320bn in 2017. So how do we begin to meet their needs? “Getting our ageing population active is


Swim England is building on the lessons learned during the three-year Dementia Friendly Swimming Project to develop the new Water Wellbeing programme.


“Water Wellbeing takes a whole facility approach to making aquatic opportunities inclusive and appealing for people with long-term health conditions, many of whom may currently be inactive, by tackling the environment, staff expertise and the pool programme,” says Duane Newton, health and wellbeing manager at Swim England:


“Leisure centers present a challenging environment for older people and those with long-term health conditions. They can be busy and noisy, with strange gym and pool smells as well as varying light levels and both wet and dry flooring.”


Swim England’s environmental checklist enables leisure providers to identify changes that could be made to create a simpler, more friendly swimming experience.


“The checklist focuses on those aspects of the physical environment known to impact older people and those with long- term health conditions, from the person’s arrival, the reception, through to the changing areas, toilets, showers and the pool. It assesses both the physical environment and the way the environment encourages people to behave and interact,” says Newton.


“The checklist often leads to changes such as improved signage, simpler lockers, extra seats, more grab rails in changing areas and toilets and additional poolside hooks. Older people and those with long- term health conditions should play a role in suggesting the changes through constructive, ongoing conversations.”


www.swimming.orc pactfacilities.co.uk 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41