Older people s outdoor dreams come true in the Strength in Old Age Programme. Heli Starck, planner, 28 th September, Hepa Europe 2016, Belfast

Transcription

1 Older people s outdoor dreams come true in the Strength in Old Age Programme Heli Starck, planner, 28 th September, Hepa Europe 2016, Belfast Al

2 Older people s outdoor activity Regular outdoor exercise is part of a good old age. It improves mood and mobility. Outdoor exercise is the most important hobby of old people (Husu et al. 2011). More than a half of 75+ women and more than a third of 75+ men have problems with walking 500 meters (Terveys 2011). Challenging routes, balance problems, fear of falling and lack of companion make outdoor exercise difficult (Ponsi et al. 2005). There is not enough guided outdoor exercise. Regional differences in the supply of activities are considerable.

3 What older people wish for? Help with running their errands Walks in the nature Outdoor groups Outdoor friends Outdoor exercise parks and guidance to use equipment Safe outdoor routes Benches for resting Wintertime maintenance (Strength in Old Age programme, Exercise councils for older people, 2013)

4 38 Strength in Old Age municipalities have increased outdoor exercise among elderly Guided outdoor groups Outdoor assistants baseline Alkutilanne 74 Lopputilanne final baseline 1150 final

5 Training of outdoor friends Over 60 instructors registered Instructor training for professionals and persons interested in outdoor activity (14h) - Contents: walking outdoors - Materials: training file and leader s material Outdoor friend training for peers and volunteers (8 h) The outdoor friends sign a contract where they commit to the general principles of volunteer work, and the older persons exercise at their own risk. Hundreds of trained outdoor friends

6 Outdoor friends You can see how the older persons faces light up and they start to reminisce past events. School students trained as outdoor friends. Receive credit. They go out with older residents in service housing. Sport or social and health care authorities train members of NGOs as outdoor friends to help people in home care. A professional accompanies on first visits. Outdoor routes are designed according to older people s needs and hopes. The regularity of exercise is agreed upon in cooperation. The challenge is to succeed in turning the older person s bad day into a good one.

7 Annual campaign since 2011 promotes outdoor exercise in safe company. How to participate Go out with the elderly Record the outdoor event on website Share your outdoor story Challenge your friends, colleagues, etc. in Facebook to participate It was a lovely sunny autumn afternoon. We walked and admired nature. Even if the walk was rather short because of poor strength, we both were happy when we returned. - Hillevi and Facebook

8 Sport sector Guided outdoor exercise groups: Bus stop walks Coordinates the activity Recruits peers from NGOs and gym groups Organizes free training for peers Advertises and invites people to participate Outdoor friends Guide the groups Collect the elderly from their homes Outdoor groups Are free of charge Come regularly together in central locations around the city Design the routes according to participants needs and hopes various distances with resting places

9 Guided outdoor exercise groups: Nature experience path Group walks in a nearby park, yard or forest stops to do different tasks from four categories: the exercise category: strength and balance rehearsals the stretching category: movements to whole body the sense category: watching, listening, smelling and touching the experience category: telling stories and reminiscing.

10 Conclusions Outdoor friends have reached older people who have very little physical activity. Regular outdoor exercise is possible in safe company. Outdoor groups have improved mobility, confidence, quality of life and social relations. Activities have increased collaboration between various actors. What motivates you to go out? The changing of the seasons, fresh air, meeting friends, good company, an interesting place to visit, walking outdoors.

11 Action for good ageing. Heli Starck ikainstituutti.fi, voimaavanhuuteen.fi facebook.com/ikainstituutti twitter.com/ikainstituutti