Navigating Health Together: Supporting Older Adults Through Literacy

Description

Key components of the initiative include:
Workshops and Talks: Interactive sessions on topics such as understanding medication labels, managing appointments, and recognizing symptoms.
Printed and Visual Resources: Easy-to-read materials with large print, clear visuals, and plain language explanations.
Peer Support and Community Engagement: Group discussions and peer-led sessions that encourage shared learning and reduce isolation.
Partnerships with Healthcare Providers: Collaborations to ensure consistent messaging and support across services.
With funding from Healthy Ireland, the programme enhanced both digital and physical health collections, supported staff training, and enabled a wide range of events and promotional activities. Informed by feedback from participants the 2024 programme focused on key themes aligned with healthy ageing, developed in collaboration with strategic partners.
Events included talks, workshops, and classes on:
• Bone and pelvic health
• Stroke and cardiac disease
• Healthy eating and heart health
• Pilates for fall prevention
• Holistic healthy ageing

The Spring series began with events in Leabharlann na Ceathrún Rua, Tuam Library, and Gort Library. Aoife Ní Eochaidh led sessions on bone and pelvic health for both men and women, incorporating practical exercises to strengthen core muscles and improve posture. Podiatrist Marie Hegarty delivered engaging Saturday sessions on foot health at Westside Library.
Moylough Library hosted a series of impactful workshops. Becca Dorsett from Croí presented on life after stroke or cardiac events, part of a broader series on cardiovascular health. Dietitian Aisling Harris led sessions on heart-healthy eating and cholesterol management. Pilates classes focused on fall prevention, and Marie Hegarty continued her popular foot health sessions.
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
•Cultivating Self-Compassion for Healthy Ageing
Dr. Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author, on building compassionate frameworks for a fulfilling retirement. Her workshop explored the emotional transitions of ageing and the importance of mental wellbeing, engagement, and social connection.
•Managing Stress and Burnout
Megan Casey, Mindset Consultant and Pharmacist, delivered insightful talks in Gort and Westside Libraries, offering practical strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout.
Special Events and Outreach
• At a HSE Menopause Symposium, the team hosted an information stand, engaging with health professionals about library resources on menopause.
•Portumna Library hosted a talk on “Caring for Carers”, highlighting the challenges of caregiving and the importance of self-care.
• Two talks on the psychosocial aspects of ageing were held:
• “Future You: Positive Ageing” – exploring opportunities for growth in later life.
• “Cultivating Self-Compassion for Healthy Ageing” – emphasizing patience and self-care in the ageing journey.

Workshops titled “Cancer: Surviving and Thriving” were held in both city and county branches. Key insights shared included:
•Over 60% of invasive cancers in Ireland are diagnosed in people aged 65 and over.

•Chair Yoga classes for older adults were in high demand, with sessions fully booked.
•Weight management workshops addressed the growing concern of obesity in older adults.

Health Collections and Digital Access

Outreach opportunities saw staff attend Active Retired Associations meetings; community centre and parish hall meet ups to showcase the importance of understanding health issues, sourcing reliable information.

Aim of Initiative

Empowering older adults with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Who is it aimed at

Older adults in the community

3 Steps critical to success

1. Community participation and involvement in the process of developing the programmes with themes that are relevant to them.
2. Staff support and insight with the ability to work with diverse community needs
3. Alignment with health professionals and community health care professionals who provide the insight into what is needed in communities and have the expertise to deliver programmes.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Funding streams
2. Supporting people in the Gaeltacht community is difficult when speakers and medical professionals may not have sufficient language to deliver the programme in Irish
3. Staffing

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Better informed communities
2. Engagement with the Healthy Ireland At Your Library programme with talks, workshops and events well attended
3. Extensive partnerships with healthcare providers throughout the county and city