Case study: Full of Life
NEED: AN AGEING POPULATIONOlder people are an important and growing group who represent 16 per cent of the total population. The number of older people within the UK has increased dramatically since 1900 when there were 1.7 million people over the age of 65, to 2005 when there were over 11.2 million in this age group, an increase that is projected to continue. Various trends are emerging that will impact on the wellbeing of the older population: increased diversity; increased affluence for some; the growing number of childless women; a decrease in the gap in life expectancy between men and women reducing the numbers of older people living alone, and conversely an increase in relationship breakdown fuelling the number of single person older people households. As people age they are more likely to face major stressors such as bereavement and the onset of various diseases and disabilities: an individual’s ability to deal with these has much to do with their emotional resilience, and their ability to compensate for change, loss and decline. To date initiatives to increase the wellbeing of older people have tended to focus on remedial rather than preventative measures, primarily on health, participation and improving independence. Comparatively little focus has been placed on mental health disorders such as depression, which have relatively high prevalence in later life. SOLUTIONThe programme teaches key skills in how to tackle and respond to issues/demands which we all meet in our everyday lives particularly when we feel under pressure, stressed or distressed. In addition to the individuals who take part in the courses, recently retired people with appropriate transferable skills (e.g. former nurses or teachers) are trained to deliver the service. This has the added benefit of aiding transitions to retirement and building capacities of this group of individuals.
PROJECTThe Local Wellbeing team with Health Launchpad is currently developing a new Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based service for people aged sixty-five and above who are experiencing mild anxiety or depression. Volunteers from this same age range have been trained to deliver an eight-week course developed by Dr Chris Williams, a psychiatrist at Glasgow University. The aim of this unique peer-support service is to create a ‘win-win’ situation in which the wellbeing and emotional resilience of the clients increases through using the service and the wellbeing and emotional resilience of the volunteers improves through delivering the service and becoming more active in the community. PILOT Sixteen volunteers have been specially trained by Chris Williams and his team to deliver the 'Full of Life' materials. The proposed service is currently being piloted as an individual telephone service in South Tyneside and as group sessions in Manchester. A small evaluation is running alongside the pilot to ensure that the volunteer training is of a high quality and that the service is tailored to the needs of older people. PARTNERSHIPS Young Foundation & Dr Chris Williams from Royal Gartnavel Hospital, Glasgow University, alongside the Local Wellbeing Project partners who are: IDeA, Lord Richard Layard at the London School of Economics, and Manchester and South Tyneside local authorities Young Foundation’s Wellbeing Project is managed by Dr Marcia Brophy: Marcia.brophy(AT)youngfoundation.org |
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This project will focus primarily around the design and delivery of an emotional resilience programme for older people. The aims are:
