Later Years

The most recent census in 2021, told us that people are now living longer than ever before. The number of older people in our society is growing, with approximately 319,949 people aged 65 years and older currently living in Northern Ireland. In the Western Trust area there are approximately 49,709 people aged 65 years and older (NISRA, July 2021). The Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department offers support, guidance and resources to help older people stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.

• Positive Ageing

  

  We are heavily involved in promoting Positive Ageing and support a number of initiatives to encourage Active Ageing. Positive Ageing month happens in October each year; we work closely with the local councils, the Public Health Agency and partners to develop a brochure of events and activities for over 50s, some of which are available all year round.

  Positive Ageing Month is an opportunity to encourage people to get out and engage in their communities, and to highlight the valuable contributions that older people make to our society. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on Positive Ageing Month 2023 later in the year, including the brochure and calendar of events during the month.

• Positive Ageing Small Grants Programme

  The Western Trust administers a small grants programme, funded by the Public Health Agency, where older peoples groups (age 50+) across the Trust area can apply for grants of up to £500 to improve physical activity and reduce social isolation and loneliness within their communities. Last year’s grant programme was a huge success, with 67 community and voluntary groups being awarded funding a total of £29,758 for their activities. See below the evaluation of last year’s programme.

  

  

• My Happy Place (Calendar 2023)

  The “Your Happy Place” calendar has been developed as an age friendly initiative. The calendar is funded by PHA and developed in partnership with the local councils and the South West Age Partnership.

  During Positive Ageing Month across the local council areas, a competition for entries was held and residents aged 65+ years were asked to submit a photograph or an art piece of their Happy Place. Members of the Age Friendly steering group judged the competition and the winner and runners up from the competition are featured in the calendar.

  Contact the Health Improvement team for a copy of the calendar or you can download the 2023 calendar here.

  

  

  

• Falls Prevention

  Older people are more likely to attend Emergency Departments with injuries as a direct result of falls in the home. The following video provides important tips to help prevent falls in the home.

   

  

  We provide a number of resources to health professionals and service users and their carers to prevent falls including:

  • The Falls Prevention Checklist
  • The Falls Prevention Action Plan
  • Falls are Preventable Booklet
  • The Up and About Plan is also available and provides information on what to do if you have a fall.

  For further information or to request a hard copy of any of the booklets contact Una.McGovern@westerntrust.hscni.net

  Additional Resources

  There are also some other great resources which have been developed, to help prevent falls. These include:

  Public Health Agency Stay Steady Video

  nidirect | Keeping mobile and preventing falls

  Falls Awareness Survey

  Postural Hypotension Leaflet

  Fear of Falling Leaflet

  Strength and Balance Exercises

  Footwear Leaflet

• Stepping On Programme

  For those who have had a fall, the Stepping On Programme offers older people a way of reducing falls and at the same time increasing self confidence in situations where they are at risk of falling. Falls are a serious problem, but can be prevented at any age. For more information contact Davina on 028 677 23843 or Davina.Coulter@oakhlc.com

  Integrated Care Partnerships: Falls Prevention (West) from HSC Northern Ireland on Vimeo.

• Services for Older People

  The Western Trust has a number of useful services for older people, these can be found here: Older People’s Services | Western Health & Social Care Trust

  Services which you may find particularly beneficial in relation to falls are:

  • Sensory Support
  • Occupational Therapy Service
  • Fracture Liaison and Osteoporosis Service
• Active Ageing

  As we age it is important to ensure we are continuing to keep active and eating a nutritious diet. This is very important for overall health and wellbeing. There is a wealth of information about how we can continue to lead healthy lives as we age, see booklets below on how to look after yourself at home:

  Download the Looking After Yourself at Home Booklet

  

  Download the Keeping Well at Home Booklet

  

   

  Additionally, please see the following pages for more information on how we can continue to keep physically active and eat well later in life:

  • Later Years and Nutrition
  • Later Years and Physical Activity
• Advice and Support

  Age NI

  Make the Call Service | NI Direct

  Advice NI

  U3A

  • Foyle
  • Omagh – Ann Orr 077 1050 1914
  • Erne – Jennifer Scott 028 6632 4062

  COAST – Causeway Older Active Strategic Team

  • Tori Calderwood 028 7776 7860
  • coast.manager@yahoo.co.uk

  Ally Foyle – Active Living in Later Years

  • Angelina Cooper 074 1998 7095
  • info@allyfoyle.com

  South West Age Partnership (SWAP)

  • Allison Forbes 028 8225 1824
  • aforbes@southwestagepartnership.co.uk

  Beyond the Call Project

  • B-Friend Hub Omagh: 028 8224 0772 or laurence@thebefriendhub.org
  • B-Friend Hub Fermanagh: 028 6698 0027 or rita@thebefriendhub.org
  • B-Friend Hub Strabane: 028 7188 3102 or micky@thebefriendhub.org

  Local Council Age Friendly Officers:

  • Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council : Liam Hinphey (Limavady Office): 028 7776 0306 (ext 3130) E-mail: liam.hinphey@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
  • Derry City and Strabane District Council : Ciara Burke 028 7125 3253 Ciara.Burke@Derrystrabane.com
  • Fermanagh and Omagh District Council : Sharon Howe age.friendly@fermanaghomagh.com

  Befriending Services:

  • Connect Fermanagh: 028 6632 0230
  • Good Morning Strabane: Contact Carol Devlin on 028 7188 3102 or nwawt@strabanecommunityproject.org.uk
  • Good Morning North West: Contact Nicole on 028 7135 2694 or nicole@leafaircommunity.org

  Community Transport:

  • Bridge Accessible Transport (Derry): 028 7126 7555
  • Fermanagh Community Transport: 028 6632 4260
  • Easilink Community Transport (Omagh): 028 8224 8140
  • Easilink Community Transport (Strabane/Derry): 028 7188 3282
• Contact Us

  For more information on healthy living in later years, please contact the Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department on;

  Email: health.improvement@westerntrust.hscni.net

  Phone: 028 7186 5127