Live Longer and Prosper

Description

Live Longer and Prosper is a wrap around service aimed at Older People in the community. The programme was initiative in 2018 after a consultation session with Older people regarding what services and activities they would like to engage with . the feedback from Older People pointed to a multi activity / services programme which would not only allow Older People to gain more skills prevalent to their age but also do this in a fun and interactive manner where they could meet other older people and build a social circle or extend their social circle. Hence, Live Longer and Prosper was designed to encompass practical skills and activities and information and social benefits. the programme delivers the following elements to all the participants (this year the programme was hosted on line – in order to support this older people were given tablets and taught how to use them on a one to one basis and in group sessions held on line and through the telephone) Healthy Eating course for older people on a budget, physical exercise programmes, dementia awareness course, know your rights, keeping safe Garda talks, introduction to services e.g befriending and visitation services, grow your own sustainable gardening course and other talks as requested by the participants. The group usually meet up but through covid they have been meeting in small groups online and have learned to use technology through this new approach. The programme is offered online to over 80 participants this year as opposed to over 120 pre covid. The course usually is for 5 week but has been extended to about 10 weeks as the IT training piece is given to participants on a one to one for 3 weeks and then as a group for 2 weeks before starting into the meat of the course content. Participants are also been encouraged to link into the arts, culture and Library services programmes in between the programme dates to ensure they keep using their new found IT skills and this is working a treat for all concerned. The side benefits we have found this year was that we could encourage members of the group to set up whats app groups to keep in contact with each other in a low cost manner and where they can also see the face of who they are speaking to . Overall the programme is progressing very well for a new approach to delivery . The SICAP programme staff members who are the main support structure for this particular Age Friendly initiative are to be congratulated for their work and cooperation with the Age Friendly Programme.

Aim of Initiative

Older People in the community .

Who is it aimed at

Older People in the community .

Steps critical to success

1. Partnership with other agencies and programmes
2. openness to change how the programme could be run
3. Patience and ideas generation from the partners and participants.

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Buy in from Partner organisations
2. Funding pool which can be lienient enough to accommodate the needs of the programme
3. IT – access to tablets and delivery of initial IT training to participants as the majorityof the participants were not IT literate.

Outcomes / Benefits

1. IT training for Older people to support engagement
2. level of participation in the programme and uptake of other programmes is really good
3. supporting happiness, connectivity of older people and other family members to the participants as older people became more IT literate