Latest news

Posted on 22 Sep 2016

Nottinghamshire Healthcare is supporting UK Older People’s Day on 1 October to mark the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society.

On 28 and 30 September services across the Trust will come together with local voluntary organisations to provide free health events for the over 60s.

• The Salvation Army in Arnold on 28 September, 9.30am – 1.00pm
• The Salvation Army in Balderton, Newark on 28 September, 9.30am – 1.00pm
• Mansfield Community Hospital on 30 September, 9.30am – 1.00 pm
• Stapleford Care Centre on 30 September, 10.00am – 3.00pm
• Park House Health and Social Care Centre in Carlton on 30 September, 9.30am – 1.00pm

The events, which will provide useful information on activities in the local area, aim to promote independent living, encourage healthier lifestyles both physically and mentally and reduce social isolation.

Each event will offer something different including a pop-up shoe shop where visitors can have their feet measured for specialist footwear, podiatry foot checks, advice on how to reduce the risk of falls, help to quit smoking, advice on Sepsis and communication after a stroke.

Our Mental Health Services for Older People will also support the day when they join hundreds of others on a Memory Walk at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, on 1 October. Staff from Amber Ward at Millbrook Mental Health Unit, and their families, will walk a 3km route dressed as Forget-me-nots, the symbol of the Alzheimer’s Society initiative ‘Dementia Friends’, to raise awareness of dementia and to help change the lives of those affected by the illness.

Dementia affects 850,000 people every year in the UK and statistics show there will be 1 million people with dementia by 2025. 

UK Older People’s Day takes place each year to coincide with UN International Day of Older Persons. Nationally, Older People’s Day supports the campaign to ‘take a stand against ageism’, challenging negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older people and ageing.

Getting older involves a change in lifestyle for most people and it’s important for people to take care of themselves both mentally and physically.  Statistics show that people are now living longer and there are many older people living in social isolation.  Our health events aim to highlight these problems amongst the population of older people and provide information on the day on how to overcome these barriers.

Catherine Pope, Clinical Director of Community Specialist Services for the Trust said, “Our Older People’s Day events have proved very popular over the last 2 years, with very positive feedback about the useful information available.  I’m really excited about the range of groups and activities taking part and would encourage anyone to come to their local event to see what’s available to support them to live well longer.  Working with colleagues from both physical and mental health services and with other local community agencies and local care homes is an excellent example of how services can provide joined up care based around people’s needs.”