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Healthy Ageing in Salford

Salford is a city which celebrates the role of older people. It provides support when needed to enable older people to live healthy, independent lives for as long as possible and ensures that quality care and support is available when needed.

Through our Salford Together partnership along with older people and voluntary, community organisations we aim to support older people who are well and healthy stay active and busy so they stay healthier for longer and support those who have care needs to improve their quality of life and independence, with an overall focus on improving the health and wellbeing of all older people across the city.

  • Age Friendly City – the commitment of the city to support older people to stay healthy and well. An action plan has been developed and will be delivered by the Age Friendly Cities Alliance.
  • Wellbeing plans are used to support the commitment of older people to support their own health and wellbeing.
  • Older people’s networks are used to consult older people on future plans and support delivery through volunteers.

Through this work with older people information, advice and services have been improved to support older people to be healthy and well.

Poor physical health can affect mental wellbeing and quality of life. It can make it harder to get out and do the things you enjoy, which can make you feel depressed or anxious. There are ways to improve physical and mental wellbeing such as eating healthily, doing exercise such as walks or chair based yoga, meeting with other people, volunteering and stopping smoking. You can also talk to your GP for help and advice.

Salford Health Improvement Team 

Salford Health Improvement provide one to one tailored support, and group-based activities within your local community to help you improve your health and wellbeing.

Get more active

Whatever your ability: they have free classes for you to help increase your physical activity. From Beginners Exercise, basic circuits, health walks, Indoor Curling and Chair Based Exercise, we can support you to access these community based sessions and find ways to help keep you motivated.

They can provide one to one, family and group support to help you eat healthier and to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This can be done by attending regular weigh-ins, getting information on how to achieve a healthy diet and even by gaining support on how to cook healthy, affordable and tasty meals.

Help to quit smoking

If you are interested in finding out how to cut down or quit smoking, our experienced advisers can give you support, information and advice on how to achieve your goal.

Cut down on alcohol

Get information on what is a healthy amount of alcohol to drink and how to work towards cutting down.

Improve your confidence and meet new people

We can provide you with support to improve your confidence and meet new people. We have a number of community groups and social activities we can support you to attend.

We also have a number of volunteering opportunities.

Referrals to other services

We work closely with a number of other agencies in Salford and we can refer you to the correct service whether it is learning more about your local befriending service or a referral for a fire safety check.

Regular exercise can reduce the impact of several health conditions, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and memory loss.

Exercise for 150 minutes a week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Aim to do strengthening exercises at least twice a week, such as gardening, carrying shopping or check your local gym for help with resistance training. Why not look up what is happening across Salford 

Contact Salford Community Leisure service.

Salford Community Leisure Active Lifestyles Team

Work with a range of health partners who refer people to the dedicated team of friendly, highly qualified exercise professionals, who help to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Salford through specialised exercise referral programmes for the treatment of heart and lung conditions, cancer, diabetes and falls prevention.

We also offer a range of community activities including Salford Wellbeing Walks – providing the whole community with the opportunity to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Over the last 12 years, the Active Lifestyles Team has supported 14,000 to 15,000 people to become more active.

If you are interested and require further information, please contact a member of the team by calling 0161 778 0577 or email active.lifestyles@scll.co.uk.

There is evidence that getting active can reduce loneliness and improve mental health. You don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is about being more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Just take a walk around some of the award-winning beautiful parks and green spaces in Salford can be beneficial to your mental health.  

Mind in Salford run regular courses that will help you understand what mindfulness is and introduce you to a number of different practices that can boost mental and emotional health and help you build resilience.  

During the course you will be guided through a variety of meditations and mindful practices. By learning the basic skills and theory you will be able to include this into your daily life to improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Please note that they are in the process of finalising new course dates. Please email mindfulness@mindinsalford.org.uk  

Salford START

Salford START is a mental health charity that uses creativity, connection and recovery interventions to help improve people's lives. Designed for those people experiencing poor mental health who may be too unwell for support in primary care but do not meet the threshold for community mental health services. 

START phone number: 0161 351 6000 (based next to Pendleton roundabout).

Garden Needs

Garden Needs is a centre where who run a regular mental health and horticulture project. It is also a hub for green wellbeing projects and interventions that are offered in parks and green spaces.

The volunteering programme: provides volunteers with a relaxed environment, a place where they can build their confidence, knowledge, social skills and communications at a pace that they are comfortable with. Volunteering Opportunities: every Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm Radford Street (off Bury New Road), Salford, M7 4NT Telephone: 0161 792 5448 Email: info@gardenneeds.org.uk 

Wellbeing Matters

Wellbeing Matters is a programme that aims to support people to feel more connected to their community, more confident and less socially isolated by linking them into local groups and services. The goal is for people to be better equipped to manage their own health and wellbeing with less reliance on clinical health and care services.

Anxiety and Depression can impact on your physical health, so speak to you GP and explain how you are feeling. Ask your GP to see a Community Connector as most are based in the medical practices.

Community Connectors work with people on a one to one basis over a number of sessions to establish ‘what matters to you’ and to then connect you into relevant local, non-medical wellbeing and social support within their neighbourhood to improve your wellbeing and decrease social isolation.

Have a chat about what is available in your community to support your health and happiness.  Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.

Preventing Falls

Falls are not an inevitable part of Ageing. There is much that can be done to reduce the chance of fall, even if you have already had one. Being active is essential as well as a number of other things. Here are some tips.

Look after your feet    

Healthy feet are essential for comfort and safe walking. Wash your feet daily to prevent any infections, cut your toenails, keep your feet warm, and wear well-fitting footwear to reduce the risk of falls. 

Speak to GP to find out if you are eligible for NHS treatment if not contact a recommended Chiropodist. Foot and Nail Care Services.

Find out what Salford University Podiatry clinic can offer.

Postural Stability 

The course is for older people at risk of falls and consists of a 24 week exercise rehabilitation course delivered by fully qualified level 4 Postural Stability instructors. The aims of this class are to improve stability during standing, walking and other functional movements. The programme develops balance, strengthens the muscles around the hips, knees and ankles and increases functional flexibility. The programme has been shown to reduce hospital admittance and improve daily living. Chat with your GP for a referral.

Step Up

This is a maintenance session following on from the Postural Stability classes. This weekly class focuses on maintaining the strength, balance and flexibility. Step Up also tests clients with a challenging and progressive exercise programme, which will help with everyday living by maintaining good balance, as well as building strength and flexibility.

Both sessions offer the appropriate exercises for the age group and refreshments afterwards.
If you would like more information please call 0161 778 0577 or email active.lifestyles@scll.co.uk.

Useful downloads

Carers

Assessments for support at home

Everyone is entitled to a carers assessment (or reassessment should circumstances change) from adult social care, if the person has family support or a specific member of the family who cares for them, they will be asked if they would like to be involved.

People discussed the right times to discuss with a social worker what is best. Also people did not seem to be aware they could ask for a reassessment if their circumstances changed. For example if someone’s dementia was deteriorating and more personal care or professional was needed.

It was agreed that this needs to be done to avert a crisis.

Between 8.30am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday:

At other times, if you need immediate help you can contact the emergency duty service on 0161 794 8888 or minicom 0161 793 3303.

Gaddum – Salford Carers Service

Gaddum offer a package of support tailored to your needs as a carer and want to make sure you know your statutory rights, what you’re entitled to, as well as having the right advice, support and coping mechanisms to look after your own wellbeing.

They have a carers focus group in Salford which informs the Salford carers service on things that are important to carers needs. The forum meets regularly and decides on topics and themes that support carers in addition to coproducing factsheets that are relevant to carers in their community.

Contact salford.carers@gaddum.org.uk or call 0161 834 6069 for more details.

UK Dementia Carers

Rob Sherratt - Advice and Advocacy Specialist. Call 07943 579759 or visit www.dementiacarers.org.uk

UK Dementia Carers is a charity that focuses on assisting unpaid carers who are supporting someone with dementia. They can help carers anywhere in the UK. The service provides advocacy, as well as advice, and aim to support financial, practical, emotional, and clinical needs. All services are impartial, independent, and free for carers to access. 

Salford Social Care

Shared Lives council service

If you have social care at home you could be eligible to be assessed for the Shared Lives scheme run by Salford council. This is a none profit service.

Shared Lives is based around matching. With the help of your local scheme, you can choose who supports you, based on your shared interests and values. Shared Lives offers three levels of support: 

  • Daytime Support involves the carer and person they support spending time together, either in the carer's home or out in the community, doing things that are important to them. 
  • Short Term or Emergency Respite is for anything from one night to a few weeks at a time. It could be a 'one-off', for immediate support whenever it's needed, or a planned, regular break. 
  • Long Term support means people live in their carer's home on a long-term basis.

This could be to help people to get out and about, or have company at home or the carers home on a regular basis, day or night.  Respite can also be arranged where the person is cared for at the carers home or within their own home.

This is charged at £12.79 per hour with a minimum of two hours per week and depending on needs can be paid for privately or assessed with a social worker. 

Contact Salford Social Care

Between 8.30am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday:  

Transport

TfGM Travel Vouchers

These are also available for people with dementia.

The group had previously asked for more information about what is available to support people with transport because of difficulties in accessing activities and social events because of the lack of supported free travel. Travel vouchers are for people who are not able to use ordinary buses, trains or Metrolink and who have serious walking difficulties or are registered blind. They can be used to pay for taxis and for travel on accessible bus services such as Ring and Ride and community transport. See website for further details of the vouchers available.

Call 0161 244 1050 or email concessionary.travel@tfgm.com 

You may qualify for travel vouchers if you are a resident in Greater Manchester and:

  • are registered blind with your local authority, or
  • are in receipt of DLA (Higher Rate Mobility Component), or

are in receipt of Higher Rate Attendance Allowance, or are in receipt of the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, or If you do not receive any of the above benefits, you may still be entitled to travel vouchers if you are not able to walk 100 metres or more, or climb steps of 300 millimetres or more, however, this must to be certified by your doctor on your application form.

If you still use a bus pass use the travel app Bus Real Time App and the Bee Network travel app from Transport from Greater Manchester.

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